When to add LR??!! HELP - Page 2

dekay · #11 09-17-2003, 04:42 AM

yes, but just want to make sure. different websites say different things, and i rather be safe than sorry.

no point getting something accidentally killed when it's only a question away. sorry if it bothers you.

christyf5 · #12 09-17-2003, 04:46 AM

No no it doesn't bother me, you just sounded kind of confused. I didn't want you to be jumping in without a bit of research. Thats all.

Jack · #13 09-17-2003, 05:01 AM

dekay, how far along are you in your new tank setup? Maybe if you told us some details we can help you along.

So is your tank cycling or cycled.. getting rock?

dekay · #14 09-17-2003, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack

dekay, how far along are you in your new tank setup? Maybe if you told us some details we can help you along.

So is your tank cycling or cycled.. getting rock?

approx Sept 6-7: mixed the water, setup all the equipment (2xpowerheads, skimmer, lights, it's a 46g tank). dumped a couple cocktail shrimps in (as per reefcentral instruction) to increase ammonia (after the water was mixed).

Sept 9: dumped a couple cocktail shrimps in (as per reefcentral instruction) to increase ammonia (after the water was mixed).
threw in some sand (new) left over from my previous fish only setup. took out the shrimps several days later.

last saturday (Sept 13): picked up 20lbs of cured LR from jackets and some of his live sand. dumped in 40lbs of sugar sand (new, not live) and then the live sand. waited for the sand to clear up, then threw in the 20lbs of LR.

today: (morning) replaced some salt water in the tank with some which i made 2 nights ago to make sure the salinity and temps match (i know i don't need salt water for replacement, but the tank wasn't exactly full yet, so it's partly to fill up more of the tank). was suppose to pick up some cured LR from Jeannette but they've got previous engagements, so have to wait till thursday. just went out a couple hours ago to pick up some RO water as well as the container which will be used for dripping replacement water and later on limewater. also got 5 cocktail shrimps, one of which is now in the tank, I think I saw some sorta bug (excuse the lack of fancy term) eating it.

I think that's as clear as I can put it. Any advise on what other things I need to do (regardless of how miniscule) is welcome. Or if I did anything wrong thus far, please point it out. Thanks

Jack · #15 09-18-2003, 12:46 AM

Okay sounds good but 5 coctail shrimps sounds a bit overkill, one is good. Just leave it in there untill it's completly gone. All the shrimp is for is to rot which inturn causes ammonia, the first stage in the nitrogen cycle. The rock and sand has bacteria and bugs in in that will decompose the shrimp into ammonia into nitrite, and finally nitrite into nitrate.

Now you play the waiting game untill your tank is cycled and gone through the complete "nitrogen cycle".

If you heard of a DSB (deep sand bed) this is an area which there is special bacteria converting nitrate into nitrogen gas and is removed from the system.

Once your system is full with salt water top-off evaporation with freshwater, preferably RO/DI.

But why am I telling you all this, you should know already, right?