Got the live sand and live rock.. Now what?

markahsf · 04/13/2014, 01:53 AM

I've been doing freshwater aquariums for years so I'm used to just dumping a raw shrimp in the tank and letting the bacteria build until my cycle is completed

I have a 29 gallon with 20lbs of live rock and 20lbs of live sand mixed with 15lbs of dry sand.

If the rock is already cured and the sand has bacteria, what do I do next? I would assume that I would have to "feed" the bacteria to keep it alive. Will there be die off in my rock to help maintain the bacteria? I will test ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates tomorrow but I'm just completely lost.

Should I be getting any readings or should I add another shrimp to see how my tank responds?

I am a very patient person and I do not want to put ANY livestock in my tank unless I'm 100% sure my tank is cycled.

Thanks!

TX..r33f · 04/13/2014, 02:07 AM

Hi, first off congrats on getting your first reef tank! You will quickly learn that this hobby is a lot if waiting around in the beginning. But once that's done it can be very very enjoyable. Also I must say, their are many good threads on the " new to hobby" section. Sounds like to me you have the rite idea. Are you using RO/RODI water or just tap? Also yes you will want to test your water every 2-3days for a few weeks. Even if the rock is cured you will most likely get a cycle and need to get one. The cycle is a very important thing that needs to happen in your tank. This can take any were from 2-8 weeks. To kick start the cycle you can throw in a raw shrimp or ghost feed your tank. With testing every day you should see your ammonia spike and fall & so on with nitrites to nitrates. After this your tank will be considered cycled and you can start adding your clean up crew and so on with inverts.

markahsf · 04/13/2014, 02:23 AM

I'm using just plain old tap water. I suppose I can ghost feed. Do you think a pinch of flakes would cause a big enough ammonia spike in a 30 gallon?

julie180 · 04/13/2014, 07:37 AM

If there is any way to get an RODI unit, you will save yourself countless problems. The quality of tap water is so variable.

Xavibear · 04/13/2014, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markahsf

I'm using just plain old tap water. I suppose I can ghost feed. Do you think a pinch of flakes would cause a big enough ammonia spike in a 30 gallon?

Tap water is going to come back to haunt you sooner or later. Invest in a ro/di system.

markahsf · 04/13/2014, 01:57 PM

Alright so I guess I messed up pretty bad. Until I purchase a RODI system, should I just empty half the tank and replace it with water mixed with salt from the RO machine at my grocery store? Or do I have to empty the tank completely?

TX..r33f · 04/14/2014, 07:53 PM

empty the tank as much & yes u can use ro water. Bulkreefsupply has a small RO system for $80. that's what I use and have used for 2+ years. I have never had any problems

Every1jockzjay · 04/15/2014, 03:50 AM

I live in nyc and tap here is 35ppm! Comes out my ro at 0 before di. Anyway i tried not using ro and it was a huge noob mistake! U will have a green algae filled tank in no time! Its annoying, i lugged 5gal buckets from lfs until i gots me a rodi... Brs imo is best get the 4stage with tds meter, u can always chane the cartrides and membrane to a better brand when it goes above 0tds. But any rodi is basically the same thing with diff cartridges

04/13/2014, 01:53 AM	#1
markahsf Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 25	Got the live sand and live rock.. Now what? I've been doing freshwater aquariums for years so I'm used to just dumping a raw shrimp in the tank and letting the bacteria build until my cycle is completed I have a 29 gallon with 20lbs of live rock and 20lbs of live sand mixed with 15lbs of dry sand. If the rock is already cured and the sand has bacteria, what do I do next? I would assume that I would have to "feed" the bacteria to keep it alive. Will there be die off in my rock to help maintain the bacteria? I will test ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates tomorrow but I'm just completely lost. Should I be getting any readings or should I add another shrimp to see how my tank responds? I am a very patient person and I do not want to put ANY livestock in my tank unless I'm 100% sure my tank is cycled. Thanks!

04/13/2014, 02:07 AM	#2
TX..r33f Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Houston Tx :) Posts: 611	Hi, first off congrats on getting your first reef tank! You will quickly learn that this hobby is a lot if waiting around in the beginning. But once that's done it can be very very enjoyable. Also I must say, their are many good threads on the " new to hobby" section. Sounds like to me you have the rite idea. Are you using RO/RODI water or just tap? Also yes you will want to test your water every 2-3days for a few weeks. Even if the rock is cured you will most likely get a cycle and need to get one. The cycle is a very important thing that needs to happen in your tank. This can take any were from 2-8 weeks. To kick start the cycle you can throw in a raw shrimp or ghost feed your tank. With testing every day you should see your ammonia spike and fall & so on with nitrites to nitrates. After this your tank will be considered cycled and you can start adding your clean up crew and so on with inverts.

04/13/2014, 02:23 AM	#3
markahsf Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 25	I'm using just plain old tap water. I suppose I can ghost feed. Do you think a pinch of flakes would cause a big enough ammonia spike in a 30 gallon?

04/13/2014, 07:37 AM	#4
julie180 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Raymore, MO Posts: 2,556	If there is any way to get an RODI unit, you will save yourself countless problems. The quality of tap water is so variable.

04/13/2014, 01:57 PM	#6
markahsf Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 25	Alright so I guess I messed up pretty bad. Until I purchase a RODI system, should I just empty half the tank and replace it with water mixed with salt from the RO machine at my grocery store? Or do I have to empty the tank completely?

04/14/2014, 07:53 PM	#7
TX..r33f Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Houston Tx :) Posts: 611	empty the tank as much & yes u can use ro water. Bulkreefsupply has a small RO system for $80. that's what I use and have used for 2+ years. I have never had any problems

04/15/2014, 03:50 AM	#8
Every1jockzjay Moved On Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 515	I live in nyc and tap here is 35ppm! Comes out my ro at 0 before di. Anyway i tried not using ro and it was a huge noob mistake! U will have a green algae filled tank in no time! Its annoying, i lugged 5gal buckets from lfs until i gots me a rodi... Brs imo is best get the 4stage with tds meter, u can always chane the cartrides and membrane to a better brand when it goes above 0tds. But any rodi is basically the same thing with diff cartridges