Ghost feeding?

gffpm1247 · 05/08/2017, 01:14 PM

I am new to the hobby and just set up a 75gal tank yesterday. Currently waiting for the live sand to settle and was wondering is I should be ghost feeding? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

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gffpm1247 · 05/08/2017, 01:16 PM

And if so what should I be using?

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Dale_M · 05/08/2017, 01:31 PM

Throw in a piece of raw shrimp from the market.
Then wait (very, very patiently) for 6 to 8 weeks before you do anything else, other than testing the water.
You need 3 test kits, Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate.
The raw shrimp will begin to rot which will create ammonia
The ammonia will start the cycle and will feed the necessary bacteria
You will then start to see a rise in Nitrite and Ammonia will begin to drop off.
At about week 4 you should see Nitrates start to rise and ammonia and nitrite drop off.
Do NOT add any life to your tank until ammonia and nitrites read ZERO.
During this cycle period there is a good chance you will see green algae blooms, brown diatoms forming and reddish cyano bacteria blooms. This is NORMAL, do nothing, it will go away on its own.
While you wait, read this http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1031074
Then, read again

mcgyvr · 05/08/2017, 03:25 PM

Really shouldn't be a need to add anything when using live sand.. Plenty in there to start the cycle..
But a shrimp or just some flake food for a few days won't really hurt..

gffpm1247 · 05/08/2017, 04:02 PM

Live rock is going in on Wednesday. Just don't want to the bacteria to diminish due to little to no ammonia! Thank you for the suggestions!

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mcgyvr · 05/08/2017, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gffpm1247

Just don't want to the bacteria to diminish due to little to no ammonia!

That is NOT going to happen..

gffpm1247 · 05/08/2017, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

That is NOT going to happen..

Very good! Thanks!

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05/08/2017, 01:14 PM	#1
gffpm1247 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Illinois Posts: 65	Ghost feeding? I am new to the hobby and just set up a 75gal tank yesterday. Currently waiting for the live sand to settle and was wondering is I should be ghost feeding? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

05/08/2017, 03:25 PM	#4
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Really shouldn't be a need to add anything when using live sand.. Plenty in there to start the cycle.. But a shrimp or just some flake food for a few days won't really hurt.. __________________ Who me?

05/08/2017, 01:16 PM	#2
gffpm1247 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Illinois Posts: 65	And if so what should I be using? Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

05/08/2017, 01:31 PM	#3
Dale_M Official Noob Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Valrico, FL Posts: 76	Throw in a piece of raw shrimp from the market. Then wait (very, very patiently) for 6 to 8 weeks before you do anything else, other than testing the water. You need 3 test kits, Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate. The raw shrimp will begin to rot which will create ammonia The ammonia will start the cycle and will feed the necessary bacteria You will then start to see a rise in Nitrite and Ammonia will begin to drop off. At about week 4 you should see Nitrates start to rise and ammonia and nitrite drop off. Do NOT add any life to your tank until ammonia and nitrites read ZERO. During this cycle period there is a good chance you will see green algae blooms, brown diatoms forming and reddish cyano bacteria blooms. This is NORMAL, do nothing, it will go away on its own. While you wait, read this http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1031074 Then, read again

05/08/2017, 04:02 PM	#5
gffpm1247 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Illinois Posts: 65	Live rock is going in on Wednesday. Just don't want to the bacteria to diminish due to little to no ammonia! Thank you for the suggestions! Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk