Final bit of advice - Aquarium Advice

FloridaNewbie · 11-13-2006, 01:13 AM

So i got my 29gal cycling right now, my first water test are

Temp - 79
Amonia .25
Nitrate - 0
Nitrite - 0
Salinity - forgot to write it down, but the hand on the hydrometer was right in the middle all 3 times i did it.

I have one concern, i got my sand from local lfs, he has his own live sand which is cheaper than the bag ones, and its actually alive( he scooped it off the tank "live sand" tank). Also i got 25lbs of lr from him. He said i may not see a HUGE cycle because the die off will be very small on the sand and rock. he says if everything remains the same withint the next 2 weeks i can maybe get a fish or 2. He advised me 2 do a water teste every other day for now. Any other advice ??

Sadielynn · 11-13-2006, 08:31 AM

Sounds like you are starting your cycle ... It is possible to not see a huge cycle... but you will see some .. as evident above ... I would only test 1 or 2 times a week more than that is wasting your testing supplies ... After your readings are all 0 I would recommend a water change and to wait 1 more week test and then look into fish

**roka64** · 11-13-2006, 11:02 AM

I agree, if you have sand and LR from an established tank, you could see a short cycle, this is evident in the ammonia reading.

**melosu58** · 11-13-2006, 03:19 PM

I do agree that that kind of LS is better than the bagged type. I have a feeling the bagged type is no longer "live".

Sadielynn · 11-13-2006, 06:26 PM

I have the live sand in the bag Mel I agree it is probably no longer "live" but it sure sinks easier and doesnt screw with the impellars

**melosu58** · 11-13-2006, 06:50 PM

I used it in my 125 when I set it up and I agree with you Sadie

**roka64** · 11-13-2006, 06:52 PM

I agree with you both. I spent a lot of the day on Saturday, rinsing 240Lbs of sand!

Sadielynn · 11-13-2006, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roka64

I agree with you both. I spent a lot of the day on Saturday, rinsing 240Lbs of sand!

Quick tip , when using large amounts of sand that may require rinsing get a tote bin poke holes into the bags of sand place in water up to a month in advance, keep the water moving with a cheap power head this prewets it a bit and the loose silt can be washed "over " the side of the tote with a hose while you do other stuff

**roka64** · 11-13-2006, 09:29 PM

That's a pretty good idae. I just did 30Lbs at a time, my bucket has a straight edge so I was pretty easy, the hard part was lugging wet sand through the house and having to scoop it out, since I already hung my lights...ack! LOL! I'll take your advice on the next time, thanks again!

FloridaNewbie · 11-14-2006, 02:54 AM

hmmmm, did another test today(tuesday), my last one was saturday. all the same, the salinity was a bit higher, but i added cups of distilled water and back to the middle. Now the rest was the same, actually the amonia was more towards the 0 than the .25. Shrimp is starting to get a fuzz... Well we will see what happens, think i'll wait until friday night for another test!!

My ls was nice and stuck together 2, i had the water cloudy for like half a day.

11-13-2006, 01:13 AM	#1
FloridaNewbie Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Florida Posts: 99 Images: 2	Final bit of advice So i got my 29gal cycling right now, my first water test are Temp - 79 Amonia .25 Nitrate - 0 Nitrite - 0 Salinity - forgot to write it down, but the hand on the hydrometer was right in the middle all 3 times i did it. I have one concern, i got my sand from local lfs, he has his own live sand which is cheaper than the bag ones, and its actually alive( he scooped it off the tank "live sand" tank). Also i got 25lbs of lr from him. He said i may not see a HUGE cycle because the die off will be very small on the sand and rock. he says if everything remains the same withint the next 2 weeks i can maybe get a fish or 2. He advised me 2 do a water teste every other day for now. Any other advice ??

11-13-2006, 08:31 AM	#2
Sadielynn Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,256	Sounds like you are starting your cycle ... It is possible to not see a huge cycle... but you will see some .. as evident above ... I would only test 1 or 2 times a week more than that is wasting your testing supplies ... After your readings are all 0 I would recommend a water change and to wait 1 more week test and then look into fish __________________ Sadielynn Nanoreefing site 2 nanos 10 gallons

11-13-2006, 06:26 PM	#5
Sadielynn Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,256	I have the live sand in the bag Mel I agree it is probably no longer "live" but it sure sinks easier and doesnt screw with the impellars __________________ Sadielynn Nanoreefing site 2 nanos 10 gallons

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
my mom is starting an aquarium, need a bit of advice	desolation	Saltwater & Reef - Getting Started	6	08-08-2006 09:21 AM
a bit of advice	Tami	Saltwater Reef Aquaria	11	03-10-2006 01:03 AM
Final Stocking	fishygurl	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	3	01-09-2006 01:59 PM
Final?	proud2bcanadian	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	1	02-13-2004 05:10 PM
Final Decsion	Pacu Man	Saltwater & Reef - Archive	6	08-06-2003 08:21 PM

11-14-2006, 02:54 AM	#10
FloridaNewbie Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Florida Posts: 99 Images: 2	hmmmm, did another test today(tuesday), my last one was saturday. all the same, the salinity was a bit higher, but i added cups of distilled water and back to the middle. Now the rest was the same, actually the amonia was more towards the 0 than the .25. Shrimp is starting to get a fuzz... Well we will see what happens, think i'll wait until friday night for another test!! My ls was nice and stuck together 2, i had the water cloudy for like half a day.