Stocking a "new" tank?

[Ortho Bill]

I transferred the contents of my 37 gallon tank

60lbs sand (20 live)
40lbs LR
2 small perculas
1 Lawnmower blenny
1 Orchid Dottyback
25 gallons water

into my new 90 gallon. I added approx. 60 lbs of LR from an established tank and 150 lbs. of southdown. The tank had been up and running almost 5 months. I realize I may incur a small cycle. As fas as additions at this point am I at day 1 or at 5 months? I'd like to add a few softies, mushrooms...and a flame angel and a tang. Everyone is doing well after the transfer. How long should I wait before adding anything? Thanks, Bill

 

[brandon4291]

Provided the transit times in between systems were short, I'd say you are ready to go. On the safe side, a week is a safe wait in my opinion. Based on what you've described, I don't expect much of a cycle unless there would be dieoff from the LR and sand xfer.

 

[Anonymous]

If I'm reading this correctly this is 150 lbs of *new* just out of the bag southdown sand, correct ? If so your new sand has to be seeded by your old sand from the 37gl tank. If it was rife with critters I would say you'll be good to go in about 3 to 4 weeks however if your sand did not have many critters I'd get an innoculation of live sand from a fellow aquarist or LFS. In this case I would wait another good 2 to 3 months before adding any pod predators and you may still go thru some nasty algae blooms.

Regards,
David Mohr