Setting UP A Tank At My School!!!

[Baby Ray]

Every tank, no matter what you are starting off with, live rock, live sand, dry rock, used water, etc will go through a Nitrogen cycle. This is called 'cycling' it is usually a 30-40 day process that is pretty much unavoidable. Until this process is complete, adding livestock will usually result in death or harm of the fish. You should buy a multi-test kit from the LFS that covers Nitrite, Nitrate, and Ammonia. First the ammonia will spike way up then get broken down into Nitrite, eventually that gets broken down into Nitrate. When the Nitrate subsides then it is all ready to add fish.

You should use your kit to test every couple of days to track the cycle and know where your tank is at in the process. There's some pretty helpful videos that I'll link to that explain this.

Cycling is definitely one of the more boring and un-fun parts of the hobby. But use the time to research and gather some more equipment. If you take your time and do your due diligence your tank will blow everyone away!

I know what a cycle is. I have set up several tanks of my own. I am just wondering why you would think it would go through a cycle if I used live rock, live sand, and water that had bacteria in it. I also ghost fed to keep the bacteria alive.

 

[Baby Ray]

Hey, I know your on a budget so I would suggest an ammonia badge. They aren't terribly expensive and you can look at the tank and get a reading. Thin you've probably used them before...
Athats the main thing you should be concerned about for fish health. Nitrites and nitrates aren't toxic to marine fish. Check out Randy's article on nitrite for more info on it not being toxic until you get really high numbers
They probably would effect shrimps though...

Thank you

 

[Baby Ray]

If you still need anything I'll donate it to you. Just let me know what you need.

Thank you so much!!

 

[Baby Ray]

I might get an ammonia badge. Thank you everyone for your advise. I will keep a close eye on everything.

 

[nitrodude]

I know what a cycle is. I have set up several tanks of my own. I am just wondering why you would think it would go through a cycle if I used live rock, live sand, and water that had bacteria in it. I also ghost fed to keep the bacteria alive.

Even if you took live rock, sand and water (which water has minimal beneficial bacteria in it) you could of still had a cycle.
Moving the rock and sand can kill off some bacteria or even small critters living in the sand or on the rock making a small cycle.

Api test kit is about $30 and a very valuable tool for a new tank getting started. Id recomend purchasing it and a refractometer (the swing arm salinity meters are junk)

Good luck with your build

 

[Baby Ray]

Even if you took live rock, sand and water (which water has minimal beneficial bacteria in it) you could of still had a cycle.
Moving the rock and sand can kill off some bacteria or even small critters living in the sand or on the rock making a small cycle.

Api test kit is about $30 and a very valuable tool for a new tank getting started. Id recomend purchasing it and a refractometer (the swing arm salinity meters are junk)

Good luck with your build

Thank you for all of your advise. I will do a water change and let it sit for a little bit.

 

[Chrisfish]

How are things going today with the tank?

 

[Baby Ray]

How are things going today with the tank?

I light came in!!! I'll try to get some pics later.

 

[Baby Ray]

I just ordered some Red Sea test kits as well so I can keep an eye on everything.

 

[Baby Ray]

What do you guys think of how long the light should be on? I was thinking 12 or 11 hours a day. 3 hours of blue in the morning and at dusk. Blue and white in the middle of the day. Thoughts?

 

[Baby Ray]

What do you guys think of how long the light should be on? I was thinking 12 or 11 hours a day. 3 hours of blue in the morning and at dusk. Blue and white in the middle of the day. Thoughts?

 

[Baby Ray]

Sorry for the double post.

 

[Baby Ray]

Any thoughts?

 

[locito277]

I would like to think Above Seahorse Reef for there generous donation of $100 worth of CUC, gorgonians, plants, etc. I am thinking about getting this package-
http://snailstoyou.com/collections/...aner-crew-snails-blue-legs-with-free-shipping
What do you think? Should I go bigger with the 40 snails and crabs?-
http://snailstoyou.com/collections/...legged-hermit-crabs-cleanercrew-free-shipping
I was also thinking about getting some of the plants for my fuge!!-
http://snailstoyou.com/collections/...ing-brush-halimeda-codium?variant=13998693063
I might also get a purple finger gorgonian because they are photosynthetic (I think). Do you think my light could handle one?-
http://snailstoyou.com/collections/.../sea-whips-and-gorgonians?variant=13954921991
I might also get a fighting conch if I have enough food for him This is so exiting!!

You may not want to add such a large CUC. For 20 L you can get by with about half of the 40 pack

 

[Baby Ray]

What do you guys think of how long the light should be on? I was thinking 12 or 11 hours a day. 3 hours of blue in the morning and at dusk. Blue and white in the middle of the day. Thoughts?

 

[Baby Ray]

You may not want to add such a large CUC. For 20 L you can get by with about half of the 40 pack

Thank you. I am just going to add a couple snails and hermits. I have already added 4 snails and 2 hermits.

 

[cmcoker]

Any thoughts?

I would start of with less until you have photosynthetic animals in there, maybe 8-10 hours, 2 hr sunset/rise. Try to keep the uglies from getting too much light. Then see how the corals respond and increase the photo period if needed.

 

[ReeferReefer]

I'd start at around 8 hours a day and work your way up from there

 

[Baby Ray]

So, I am heading up to my LFS on Sunday and considering it is one and a half hours away, I can't go very often. Do you think if all my parameters were good I could add a fish? I have been ghost feeding.

 

[cmcoker]

So, I am heading up to my LFS on Sunday and considering it is one and a half hours away, I can't go very often. Do you think if all my parameters were good I could add a fish? I have been ghost feeding.

Can you postpone the trip for a week or so? Id keep ghost feeding and test the cycle first. Have your test kits come in yet?