Cycling question

[twfields79]

Hi I have a 55 gallon saltwater aquarium that I have recently set up in the last two weeks. As of now I have five pieces of live rock and two damsel fish will I need to get some more fish to help speed up the process? the amonia is comming up a little, but I would think it would be comming up a little quicker than it is. Also when I have to top off the water the ammonia comes down some. Anyway thank you for your suggestions.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

I would suggest fishless for a saltwater tank, seeing as how the fish have a weaker immune system in saltwater than freshwater because there's less population density in the ocean than freshwater.

However, I know next to nothing about saltwater fish, so it's only speculation.

 

[impur]

Will this be a FOWLR or a reef system? Those damsels will get pretty large and aggressive. The best way to cycle the tank is a fishless cycle as tempestuousfury stated. If you can, catch the damsels and take them back to the LFS. Then add a cocktail shrimp to the tank and let it decay. This will start your cycle. The bacteria will feed on the decaying matter. It also gives the pods something to munch on. Test the water daily as you would a freshwater cycle.

The reason your ammonia dips when you topoff is that you are increasing the volume of water in the tank, dispersing the ammonia a bit more. Shouldn't be a large drop. Are you topping off with RO/DI water? I would suggest you seriously consider this, otherwise you will have a tank full of algae. Tap water contains phosphates which in turn feed nuisance algae. Check out www.reefcentral.com for all the saltwater info you will ever need!! HTH