Newbie needs help

[joecon]

Hello, I have recently bought a 75 gallon glass tank and am currently in the cycling process. The tank was running for about 2 days before adding 5 damsels to start the cycling process. Upon adding the fish, my clear water became milky cloudy over night. I am aware of bacterial outbreaks, new tank syndrome, etc... but I am surprised that it can get that cloudy in just 8 hours. Tank has been cloudy for 2 days now and no signs of clearing. I was told to NOT do any partial water changes as this will delay the cycling process.

My question is this: Is it normal for my tank to get very cloudy after adding damsels over night?

Only filtration I have is a Emperor Bio Wheel (the biggest they sell). Also, what is a good inexpensive HOT protein skimmer that you can recommend?

Thanks

[Samper]

Aqua C Remora and Red Sea Prizm skimmers are pretty nice for HOB skimmers.

As for the cloudiness I have no idea but we really don't recommend using fish to cycle a system since your LR or a piece of dead shrimp will get the process started without causing harm to a living animal or your wallet.

[joecon]

Aqua C Remora and Red Sea Prizm skimmers are pretty nice for HOB skimmers.

As for the cloudiness I have no idea but we really don't recommend using fish to cycle a system since your LR or a piece of dead shrimp will get the process started without causing harm to a living animal or your wallet.

Thanks! As far as the fish for cycling the tank, it was the recomendation of my fish store. I had no clue about live rocks or dead shrimp to cycle the tank.

[Samper]

All you really need is something to get the bacteria goin. Die off from LR, rotting shrimp or fish crap will all do it along with quite a few other options but two of them are much more humane.

[joecon]

is it too late to add live rock? do i need to wait for the cycle to finish before i can add live rock?

Thanks

[Samper]

No in fact if you wait to add LR until after your system has cycled depending on if the rock has been fully cured or not you may have another cycle.