Started the cycling process in my tank 15 days ago using MicroBactr StartXLM and QuickCycle. Ammonia measures 0, Nitrite maxed at 1 (Red Sea), Nitrate 20. Last time I cycled a tank was a decade ago using the frozen shrimp method.
I understand that modern fishless cycling with bacteria in a bottle means my tank is safe for fish now, as we understand Nitrite isn’t really an issue, plus the presence of Nitrate means I do have some bacteria capable of converting the Nitrite.
My first fish are undergoing quarantine following HumbleFish’s method, and have a 10 days of copper still to go before going on to the observation tank for 14 days. So it’ll be a while before they’re ready to move in.
My question is, with the understanding that the cycle is done now and that Nitrite isn’t a big concern, can I start introducing pods, inverts, and super basic coral now (thinking just a toadstool to start)? Or do I need the Nitrite to come down before add them?
I recognize the Pods aren’t needed yet, but I like the idea of giving them a head start and beginning to add some diversity.
I understand that modern fishless cycling with bacteria in a bottle means my tank is safe for fish now, as we understand Nitrite isn’t really an issue, plus the presence of Nitrate means I do have some bacteria capable of converting the Nitrite.
My first fish are undergoing quarantine following HumbleFish’s method, and have a 10 days of copper still to go before going on to the observation tank for 14 days. So it’ll be a while before they’re ready to move in.
My question is, with the understanding that the cycle is done now and that Nitrite isn’t a big concern, can I start introducing pods, inverts, and super basic coral now (thinking just a toadstool to start)? Or do I need the Nitrite to come down before add them?
I recognize the Pods aren’t needed yet, but I like the idea of giving them a head start and beginning to add some diversity.