What is this

[AgentAlice]

I think that may be a sponge yes , or just a bit of “stuff”. I wouldn’t worry.

Distilled water can be ok, may do it.

Myself I’d cycle it with the lights on.
Let the diatoms bloom and do thier thing. IMO , it’s like amending soil for a garden. No mud no lotus.
Personally I feed when going dry like that. Some use the shrimp. And after the tests are all good , I deep clean , do big water change , add dr Tim’s and get the fish.

Ok thanks I will turn the lights on when I get home

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Thankies

No sump I know I need to get one tho I'm on a low budget right now

Dry Live Rock
Live sand
Two pumps
A heater
Distilled water cuz I didn't have enough for a ri do system yet which I need to get on along with a refriugm

“Need a sump”
Mmmm ......no.

There’s a few tricks to it , but water and a couple other things would be higher on. my list. But it sounds like you are in the right track. And a shameless plug, R2r is a really good place to find those and a lot of inexpensive ways to keep a happy healthy aquarium.

 

[AgentAlice]

You can jump start the rock curing process by rinsing in freshwater and giving it a bleach soak, but the true cure doesn't begin until it goes into saltwater and starts to leach the death from within. This is typically monitored by tracking nitrates and or phosphates, as these two guys are an easy test compound coming from decomposition. Here's a good video from BRS, but I'd highly recommend skipping any acid dip. My opinion is that the biggest thing acid washing does is give you less rock, and is extremely dangerous:




If the rock is fairly clean, the cure typically takes about a month. If "dirty", expect two months or more. The issue, if you don't cure, is that the rock continues to leach nitrates and phosphates, increasing the likelihood of algae blooms in the tank.


When it now comes to cycling, you need to minimally test for ammonia (but if you wish to see the whole process, include nitrite and nitrate). What's critical about the cycle is that you've developed enough bacteria to quickly consume (convert) ammonia. Ammonia at very low levels is damaging/deadly to fish. So what you do is start the cycle by either putting in something like a table shrimp or actually dosing ammonia. Once you get to zero ammonia, I'd suggest testing by dosing actual ammonia and then test a little later to make sure it's not there.

Hope this helps

I start out curing with saltwater the heater and all. Than I seen the brs video on YouTube soo many time I can see the video in my head. And I did the bleach for 2 weeks and clean it well and all that than place it in fresh new saltwater for like another 3 weeks....

 

[AgentAlice]

AgentAlice, you have a whole lot going on here in some areas where I don’t have experience.

Distilled water, closed tank w no sump, no skimmer or nutrient export method except for water changes.

I’m going to summon the #reefsquad for some better help and guidance than what I can provide at this time.

Please give them a little bit of time to get to this.

I will continue to follow along and help you where I can.

It’s a fun and rewarding adventure! And you already have a great mind set and attitude so I’m sure you will do well.

Thanks cuz I need all the help I can get i love fish...But my goal is to take my time and do it right the first time. Granted I know it's more stuff I need to get when I can get some money but right now I'm working with what I got

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Granted I know it's more stuff I need to get when I can get some money but right now I'm working with what I got

That’s exactly what I’ve alwasy done.

 

[Sipec]

How bigs the tank? Whats your plans for it? Whats your cycling process

 

[Crabs McJones]

“Need a sump”
Mmmm ......no.

There’s a few tricks to it , but water and a couple other things would be higher on. my list. But it sounds like you are in the right track. And a shameless plug, R2r is a really good place to find those and a lot of inexpensive ways to keep a happy healthy aquarium.

I always love this picture I like to pretend you're giving your tank a "Hi Five"

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I always love this picture I like to pretend you're giving your tank a "Hi Five"

Haha. Thanks man! Pretty much what it was too!!

 

[AgentAlice]

How bigs the tank? Whats your plans for it? Whats your cycling process

36 gallon tank

Get some fish when it's time to add fish but not in a rush. After having my tank running like it should and have everything I need to get i get a few corals

I've been using bio spira and ghost feeding

 

[AgentAlice]

I always love this picture I like to pretend you're giving your tank a "Hi Five"

That's cool

 

[Fumanchu]

Patience....
Just take it slow...
Test your parameters...
Not to much light till fully cycled..
See if you can get a small live rock for seeding purpose...
And I would get a AC 70 or bigger and fill it only with lil floss an bio media ...

 

[AgentAlice]

Patience....
Just take it slow...
Test your parameters...
Not to much light till fully cycled..
See if you can get a small live rock for seeding purpose...
And I would get a AC 70 or bigger and fill it only with lil floss an bio media ...

Ok that's what I'm thinking bout the light. And where can I get a small piece of rock. The pet store that's close to me they don't carry any work or saltwater fish. They would have to order it. And I was thinking on getting all I need for the tank just hard at times when it's only one income coming in and I'm in school. Granted I'm not saying it as an excuse cuz many ppl have money issues as while.

But on the rock is that the places I seen online is 20lbz or more. And I don't need 20lbs. I have 36 pounds of rock in my tank now

And I'm taking it showly and I've always patience is always the key to having a successful saltwater tank

 

[Fumanchu]

Preferably a TRUSTED reefer or a decent quality store you don' need much just some rubble or one piece broken .You might even have to go to the next town over. Don' know where your at but there's reefers everywhere check in the market place on this forum for someone in your state or even put a post there ..
IMO this is very imporant in the time it takes for tank maturity so def make it happen .
And there's nothing wrong with second hand equipment jus shop around and you'll be ok .

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Preferably a TRUSTED reefer or a decent quality store you don' need much just some rubble or one piece broken .You might even have to go to the next town over. Don' know where your at but there's reefers everywhere check in the market place on this forum for someone in your state or even put a post there ..
IMO this is very imporant in the time it takes for tank maturity so def make it happen .
And there's nothing wrong with second hand equipment jus shop around and you'll be ok .

I’ve been pushing the $19 can of Fiji mud and Garf Lately for the same reasons.

 

[AgentAlice]

Preferably a TRUSTED reefer or a decent quality store you don' need much just some rubble or one piece broken .You might even have to go to the next town over. Don' know where your at but there's reefers everywhere check in the market place on this forum for someone in your state or even put a post there ..
IMO this is very imporant in the time it takes for tank maturity so def make it happen .
And there's nothing wrong with second hand equipment jus shop around and you'll be ok .

I don't know anyone nor do i have a car so i shop online. I found a site where u can get some rubble rock. I live in Goldsboro, NC. But I never looked up here tho...And I don't have a problem with second hand equipment as long as it works tho.... I hope I be ok lol

 

[Fumanchu]

There are tons of reefers in NC go to market place on here and shoot some of them a messages, a quick browse and you'll see, one thing I learned is most reefers will look out for each other and this hobby is so much easier with a local reefer at hand ...

 

[Fumanchu]

I went with the Tonga look also

 

[AgentAlice]

There are tons of reefers in NC go to market place on here and shoot some of them a messages, a quick browse and you'll see, one thing I learned is most reefers will look out for each other and this hobby is so much easier with a local reefer at hand ...

That is good info to know