I have a 24g Nano cube and ive had it set up with 6 damsels and about 8 pounds of live rock. How long will it take to cycle? I've had the live rock and damsels in there for a week and 3 days now and i just want to know when i can put some "real" fish in there. Any info will help, as u can see i am a beginner. Thanks
Whoa, back up. You should not use fish, especially in SW, to cycle. Good luck getting those devils out. And even saying that you are, six is way too much for a 24G.
In this environment, only bad things happen fast. This whole process needs a delicate balance that takes months to establish, and you rushing it will do more harm than good.
Now, do you plan on making this a FOWLR or reef? Either way I would get some sort of CUC in there after the cycle (which means 0 ammonia, nitrites, and 5-0 nitrates, and 8.0-8.4pH). Start with 1/4 of your stock right after the cycle. Then, the third week after the cycle, get another 1/4. The next week, get the next 1/4. And the fifth week AFTER the cycle get your whole CUC. Thats what I do at least.
Fish is at least 3 months after the cycle.
If I were in your position, I would return all of your damsels (which will most likely mean you will need to remove your rock and then put it back, because these fish are evil), and then get 20-30lbs of nice rock. That is your cycle.
20-30lbs of live rock?? wouldnt that take up too much room? I hAVE 3 damsels in there now, i got rid of the other three. I know they are evil fish lol, i hate them so much
You do need more live rock. Depending on density, you may only need a total of 15 pounds, but likely close to 25 pounds. The live rock is the stability of the system, combined with a good protein skimmer.
The cycling process is very misunderstood in saltwater. If you have CURED live rock, then you will have virtually no cycle. If the rock is uncured, then you will cycle similar to a FW aquarium. Best bet is to smell the live rock. If it stinks and still has die off occuring, then you know it will take several weeks to cycle the tank. It there is virtually no smell, then the rock is likely cured and you may never see any ammonia or nitrite spike.
As to the Damsels, they are horrible for a community. If you want a tank of ONLY Damselfish, then fine. But if you want other fish, you can not have Damsels in a tank this small. The only exception may be the Yellow Tail Damsel, but that is still pushing it.
will get rid of damsels slowly when my tank is done cycling. i think i will wait for a souple more weeks n then bring some more water to the store n get it checked out. if everything is fine i will start my aquarium with some kind of nice fish. I wanted a yellow tANG but i was told NOOOOOO way. What is a good fish i could start with for a nano??? i want beautiful fish in there and as much as i can put in this little tank. Anyone have any suggestions as to what fish would be nice to start??
There are a lot of options in a tank that size. For example...
-Clowns
-Some Wrasses
-Basslets
-Blennies
-Chromis
-Grammas
-Gobies
-Firefish
I suggest this to everyone: go to your LFS, write down the names of the fish you like (all of them), and come back here and post them. Then we can decide what will work.
I wouldn't do anymore than 2, if not 3 fish in there.
well ever since i got the tank i've been to the fish store and i already know what fish i like.....
1. Longnose Butterfly
2. Some or all tangs
3. Some triggers
4. Maroon Clowns
5. Some Angelfish
all of these fish are what i want to see and want other people to see when they look at my aquarium...i know most of these fish aren't suitable for the 24g nano, but is there any species of these fish that can ven by themselves or a pair
Just because you can't have "common" fish doesn't mean there aren't other things out there. There are some GORGEOUS little reef fish that you can have.
keep in mind if doing this, you will be limited to this fish only with no inverts or other fish.
there def. is other fish options that are totally awesome that could work in this tank. have you ever seen a watchman goby and randalli pistol shrimp paired up? YouTube - Yellow Watchman Goby and Pistol Shrimp
yes i actually think i have in a tropical fish magazine, real cool
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