Questions About Tank Set-up In Progress - Page 2 - Aquarium Advice

thincat · 07-05-2009, 05:41 PM

You started your cycle two or three days ago. What are your readings? I don't think you should add anything to your tank yet. What kind of feather duster is it. I mean whaat size. Don't rush it .

Boulder · 07-05-2009, 05:50 PM

My readings are ...

TEMP: 77 degrees
SPECIFIC GRAVITY: 1.025
AMMONIA: .05
NITRATE: 0
NITRITE: 0

I really have no idea what kind of feather duster it is and didn't even realize it was on the rock until I pulled it out of my container to put it in my aquarium. It's about an inch tall I suppose - maybe a bit less. Should I get rid of it?

**melosu58** · 07-05-2009, 06:30 PM

You dont want to add anything till your cycle is done and you do a 33% PWC. Then you can think about adding Livestock. Read our article on SW cycling in our SW articles.

Boulder · 07-05-2009, 07:03 PM

Ok - I had read the article and just re-read it. Very helpful!

My intention is to build up my live rock (now close to 20-lbs) but today when I bought a few pieces of fully cured live rock it came with the feather duster as a hitch-hiker.

I guess I'm just confused as to what comes on the live-rock that is ok to have at this point and what is not ok and will die during the cycling process. I haven't added my raw shrimp yet - shall I do that now?

**melosu58** · 07-05-2009, 07:09 PM

I would add a small shrimp. I`m thinking that you`ll have a little dieoff from the LR but not much. Follow that article on cycling and you cant go wrong.

thincat · 07-05-2009, 07:12 PM

Your cycle is already starting with that slight ammonia reading. The featherduster is a hitchhiker and so you should just leave it on your rock, add the shrimp now and let the cycle go as is. When you add the remainding 20#, then take a reading and we will see if you need more ammonia or not. Just don't rush it and you should be okay.

Boulder · 07-05-2009, 07:19 PM

Alright, I think I'll stop at the grocery store tomorrow after work and get 3-lbs of shrimp ... one shrimp for the aquarium and the rest go on the bbq-grill!

**melosu58** · 07-05-2009, 07:49 PM

Sounds like a plan to me. LOL

thincat · 07-05-2009, 08:12 PM

What was that address again!

Boulder · 07-05-2009, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thincat

What was that address again!

Come on down - were sittin' here in the middle of the Boston Mountains!