Tank Arrived today

[Tiger-Paws]

Ah! Welcome to the world of Salt Water Aquariums, salt creep, salt crystals and saltwater everywhere.

Try not to use any chemical cleaners, you could easily contaminate your tank which will likely be fatal to its inhabitants. RO/DI water is prefered but in a pinch tapwater will work.

If you put a little filter floss in the overflow it will help clear the water a bit quicker and get rid of some of the fines in the water.

Please keep posting images, additionally there are numerous chemical and biological lessons to be had as the tank cycles, feel free to ask questions as there are some of the most knowledgable people in the hobby right here on R2R.com.

 

[James Hammett]

Thanks currently my biology class is discussing the nitrogen cycle as the tank cycles. and an overlaying study of Homeostasis of ecosystems in comparison to the homeostasis of an individual organism.

 

[James Hammett]

will adding this small piece of live rock help with cycling or should I stick with the life rock I have and add Micrbater7. or will adding this hurt anything?

 

[Justfebreezeit]

Will help a little and also help diversify your tank. Only down side would be adding potential hitchhiker style pests.

I think its worth adding.

 

[Tiger-Paws]

Kind of depends on where the rock came from, if you know the tank is well established and the owner keeps it is good condition then you are likely ok.

Still add the Microbacter7.

 

[James Hammett]

Not aquarium related but our silkies started hatching today and I thought he was to cute to not share....

 

[Adele]

My BioCube 32 Complete reef kit arrived today. Very excited to begin this journey with my students and very thankful to a great administration who see the benefit of this project and agreed to fund it.
I will be assembling the stand first and honestly moving slowly because I may be changing classroom as well.... but will be an exciting next few weeks. I will update throughout.

I’ve been eyeballing this cube on Amazon. Not that I need another money vortex in the house but my finger is hovering over the 1 click danger button. Keep us posted. I’d really like to know what your thoughts on this cube.

 

[James Hammett]

I’ve been eyeballing this cube on Amazon. Not that I need another money vortex in the house but my finger is hovering over the 1 click danger button. Keep us posted. I’d really like to know what your thoughts on this cube.

I am just a few days into the cycle but the tank is pretty even in its current state. And the stand is very attractive. I will post updates and questions quite regularly as we go through this process

 

[James Hammett]

about 60 hours out and we are getting clear now. Added the small brownish rock in the front center yesterday. Live rock piece to help jump start the tank. Only thing I've tested so far is salinity with Hydrometer and it pegged at 1.032. thinking i may take a gallon of water out and replace with a gallon of RO water to bring that down?

 

[PSXerholic]

about 60 hours out and we are getting clear now. Added the small brownish rock in the front center yesterday. Live rock piece to help jump start the tank. Only thing I've tested so far is salinity with Hydrometer and it pegged at 1.032. thinking i may take a gallon of water out and replace with a gallon of RO water to bring that down?

Nice, miss my one ;-)

 

[Samina]

about 60 hours out and we are getting clear now. Added the small brownish rock in the front center yesterday. Live rock piece to help jump start the tank. Only thing I've tested so far is salinity with Hydrometer and it pegged at 1.032. thinking i may take a gallon of water out and replace with a gallon of RO water to bring that down?

Looks good! As far as your salinity goes, that is high. But before you correct it, maybe confirm with RO/DI water that the hydrometer is reading correctly. Sometimes you get buildup o the swing arm and it throws the reading off. But if it is reading correctly then I would think you should do the exchange a gallon at a time like you said.

 

[James Hammett]

THe hydrometer is fresh out of the box It said fill it with water for 24 hour to let arm adjust. I think I will rinse it and do the RO thing then go from there Thanks. WHen should I start testing Nitrogen cycle? Temp is 72.9 degrees right now so thinking that may slow it down a bit

 

[James Hammett]

Guess its a gallon at a time until I get it down. Assume I wait between adding water and testing? will 30 minutes be sufficient?

 

[GSPClown94]

Throw that thing in the trash. Did you rinse out the hydrometer with RODI water to make sure all possible salt is gone before testing with RODI water? The specific gravity of RODI water should be 1.000 Hook up that salinity probe you were talking about earlier.

 

[James Hammett]

First full test of water today Day 5. Nitrite 0, Ammonia 0, Nitrate 2, Salinity ( Specific Gravity)1.026 ( with hydrometer)

 

[vector824]

Throw that thing in the trash. Did you rinse out the hydrometer with RODI water to make sure all possible salt is gone before testing with RODI water? The specific gravity of RODI water should be 1.000 Hook up that salinity probe you were talking about earlier.

Yes agreed.

First full test of water today Day 5. Nitrite 0, Ammonia 0, Nitrate 2, Salinity ( Specific Gravity)1.026 ( with hydrometer)

Get a good refractometer! Here's one from Amazon that should work fine. Your students will love using it.

 

[James Hammett]

that's the plan I also have access to a salinity probe for a veneer system here at school the one we had is broken but one is on order

 

[James Hammett]

Just picked up a refractometer and an additional 20 pounds of live sand to deepen the sand bed

 

[James Hammett]

Just picked up a refractometer and an additional 20 pounds of live sand to deepen the sand bed

 

[vector824]

Great! I actually really enjoy using mine. Such a good teaching tool also.