I have a question - Cycling

JPF13 · 05/21/2008, 09:29 PM

Ok, I have a 46 gallon bf. I strarted the tank a month and a 1/2 ago. My paramiters are below and I have the friendly little pods that come w/ cycling. But I have lost 2 snails and a crab is this normal. Also in a piece of lr I have like six or so bristle worms. I need advice, so I know my tank isn't a waste of my time and money!! PLEASE HELP!!!

Jerry W · 05/21/2008, 09:36 PM

When did you add the snails/crabs? Was it before the parameters were at these numbers. How did you acclimate them. It's not uncommon to lose an invert in a new tank. Your pH is a touch low. 8.2 is a good target number but don't be focused on an exact level. This will stabilize in time. How much live rock is in your tank, and can you post your calcium and salinity levels.

JPF13 · 05/21/2008, 09:41 PM

Yes i can post my levels. I added the crabs after my levels were like this

kau_cinta_ku · 05/21/2008, 09:44 PM

how did you acclimate them?

Aquarist007 · 05/21/2008, 10:59 PM

bristle worms are great for the tank--keep the sand aerated and loose

I am assuming your salinity is 1.026

when you purchase snails and inverts check the salinity of the water in the bag--sometimes it can be as low as 1.018. Which means you have to acclimitze them longer to have them adjust to 1.026

demonsp · 05/21/2008, 11:22 PM

Your tank is cycling and adding any stock only slows the cycle down. Though it maybe very small from that load.
You say readings are low but the only readings that matter are nitrite and nitrate and ammonia.What are these readings?
You can trust any other readings untill tanks cycled then other readings may take a little time to level as your tank matures. Heres a link on whats happening in your new setup.

http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/bio...a/aa073199.htm

05/21/2008, 09:29 PM	#1
JPF13 Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 55	I have a question - Cycling Ok, I have a 46 gallon bf. I strarted the tank a month and a 1/2 ago. My paramiters are below and I have the friendly little pods that come w/ cycling. But I have lost 2 snails and a crab is this normal. Also in a piece of lr I have like six or so bristle worms. I need advice, so I know my tank isn't a waste of my time and money!! PLEASE HELP!!! __________________ pH: 7.9 NO2: 0 ppm NO3: 0 ppm Ammonia: 0 ppm ______________________________ Click on the red house to see my tank! (As of 5/17/08) ______________________________ THANKS!! :) Current Tank Info: 46 gal Bow Front, Marineland C-220 Canister Filter, an crappy PS, Chep CP (Came w/ Tank) 30 watt Coralife 50/50, 60 lbs. ls, 40 lbs. lr, and a prop. tank in the making.

05/21/2008, 09:36 PM	#2
Jerry W Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: PA. Posts: 2,873	When did you add the snails/crabs? Was it before the parameters were at these numbers. How did you acclimate them. It's not uncommon to lose an invert in a new tank. Your pH is a touch low. 8.2 is a good target number but don't be focused on an exact level. This will stabilize in time. How much live rock is in your tank, and can you post your calcium and salinity levels. __________________ Americans sleep peacefully in their beds at night because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. Current Tank Info: 37 gal; pair of mocha clowns, ywg and tiger pistol shrimp

05/21/2008, 09:41 PM	#3
JPF13 Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 55	Yes i can post my levels. I added the crabs after my levels were like this __________________ pH: 7.9 NO2: 0 ppm NO3: 0 ppm Ammonia: 0 ppm ______________________________ Click on the red house to see my tank! (As of 5/17/08) ______________________________ THANKS!! :) Current Tank Info: 46 gal Bow Front, Marineland C-220 Canister Filter, an crappy PS, Chep CP (Came w/ Tank) 30 watt Coralife 50/50, 60 lbs. ls, 40 lbs. lr, and a prop. tank in the making.

05/21/2008, 10:59 PM	#5
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	bristle worms are great for the tank--keep the sand aerated and loose I am assuming your salinity is 1.026 when you purchase snails and inverts check the salinity of the water in the bag--sometimes it can be as low as 1.018. Which means you have to acclimitze them longer to have them adjust to 1.026 __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

05/21/2008, 09:44 PM	#4
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	how did you acclimate them?

05/21/2008, 11:22 PM	#6
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	Your tank is cycling and adding any stock only slows the cycle down. Though it maybe very small from that load. You say readings are low but the only readings that matter are nitrite and nitrate and ammonia.What are these readings? You can trust any other readings untill tanks cycled then other readings may take a little time to level as your tank matures. Heres a link on whats happening in your new setup. http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/bio...a/aa073199.htm