Beth or Terry B i got a question

[hnf2k]

beth a while ago you told me to cycle my hospital tank with 1 cup of sand. am i supposed to leave that sand in there? and should i also put in raw shrimp or just 1 cup of sand? and is there anything i should leave in the tank when there are no fish in it to keep the bacteria alive?

 

[beth]

Well, if you use water from your main tank, as well as a bit of sand from the main tank, that will supply the "seed" of marine bacteria that you need begin the biofilter. The raw shrimp is the food. You will need to "feed" the hospital tank occassionally if there is no fish in there in order to keep the biofilter going.
Yes, leave the sand in.

 

[hnf2k]

does the sand have to be in a pile or can i just dump it in the tank?

 

[beth]

Dump it in.

 

[ryebread]

You should be able to just dump it in there with no problems.

 

[ryebread]

Dang Beth................too quick on the draw.

 

[hnf2k]

ok i did that. im trying to get the salinity right now. i hope the low salinity wont affect the bacteria.

 

[beth]

The bacteria will be fine. Just lower the salinity gradually--over a 48 hr period.