Advice on cleaning crew

[Rob74]

Hi,

Thanks for the advice on the cloudy cycle water in my new 40gal....it has since cleared. I had a couple more questions. I tested the water for the first time. Ammonia is 1.0 ppm, Nitrate 5.0 ppm and Nitrite 0.25 ppm. I tested to get a reading to compare as I go through my cycle. I would like to add some LR (currently only have a couple chunks of bleached rock and coral) I would also like to add a cleaning crew (crabs n' snails). I know the LR should be good to go, but should I wait for the cleaning crew? I would rather have good conditions than risk killing off some crabs and snails. Also, should I be skimming during cycle? I am running an old school Berlin AIR-LIFT 60. Thanks so much for the help! ----Rob

 

[trido]

Definatley wait until all your readings are down to 0 before adding live stock.

When you say bleached rock and coral. What do you mean? Live coral? Live rock? Depending on whether your LR your adding is cured or not will decide when you add it now or not. If its uncured, Definately add it now. If it is cured, Id wait till your cycle is almost finished as the ammonia etc. may kill any hitch hikers that you will likely want. If you add alot of LR, I believe it will create another mini cycle even if cured. Hopefully others will speak up as I'm just a newb.