Collin's 14 Gallon Bio Cube Chronicle
- Thread starter silverdak
- Start date
silverdak
Active Member
got my water tested today and also bought a test kit to do it myself... the only 2 things that were out of whack were the calcium, and the PH. ph can be fixed with the buffer I already have, and I got some of this new Seachem Aquavitro-Calcification to get that back in check. the guy at the LFS agreed that waiting was a good idea.. but also said when you can get 3-4 water tests that all come out the same, you should be all set especially for something hardy like a clown fish.
silverdak
Active Member
thanks for the compliment on the rock set up... that was try number 30 or 40 lol
I already added some salt in right before the filter so it would mix itself in.... didnt test it yet tho. when I run my normal tests tomorow... then I will know if it helped. I still am not sure if I want to do a reef tank with fish or just a fish only tank.... I guess even adding a brain would still technically make it a reef tank tho... eh I can think about it. I will be hopefully putting in a peppermint shrimp this friday (fingers crossed)
I already added some salt in right before the filter so it would mix itself in.... didnt test it yet tho. when I run my normal tests tomorow... then I will know if it helped. I still am not sure if I want to do a reef tank with fish or just a fish only tank.... I guess even adding a brain would still technically make it a reef tank tho... eh I can think about it. I will be hopefully putting in a peppermint shrimp this friday (fingers crossed)
spanko
Active Member
SilverDak, if you are going to pull the trigger and put something in there I know I cannot stop you. If you really want to make sure though, ghost feed the tank for a few days. Put some fish food in there, just a pinch, each day for 3 days running. Test the ammonia and nitrites and nitrates every day to see what is happening. If your bio filtration is ready to handle some critters you will not see a reading on the ammonia and nitrates that you now show as zero. If however you see jumps in any values your tank is not cycled and should not have any life added yet.
My opinion is that you should not add any life to this tank for another 3 weeks minimum, but that is just my opinon.
My opinion is that you should not add any life to this tank for another 3 weeks minimum, but that is just my opinon.
silverdak
Active Member
i will try ghost feeding it for a couple days.. its just tough cuz I am hearing from my buddy with over 7 years exp. that it will be ready by friday... then on here saying to wait 2 months lol and like the average american....everyone loves to rush things, so naturally I like the idea of something live going in on friday not in 2 more weeks. I probably will end up waiting a couple more weeks
silverdak
Active Member
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/2651642
It will be hard, but in the end it will be a better course of action.
ya I know.. things always work out or happen better with waiting and being patient. I will try my best! everyone's tank is different tho too... maybe mine cycles slower than everyone's and wont be ready for any living things for 4 months, or maybe its already done.
side not I did ghost feed the tank today
http:///forum/post/2651642
It will be hard, but in the end it will be a better course of action.
ya I know.. things always work out or happen better with waiting and being patient. I will try my best! everyone's tank is different tho too... maybe mine cycles slower than everyone's and wont be ready for any living things for 4 months, or maybe its already done.
side not I did ghost feed the tank today
spanko
Active Member
ammonia is the beginning step for the de-nitrification process. If this appeared after ghost feeding it says to me that you do not have enough biofiltration built up yet to handle any critters. If you had any in the tank this ammonia would have most probably been deadly to them. You need to get to the point that:
1. when you ghost feed you don't see a spike in ammonia.
2. You have seen a diatom bloom in your tank and then is subsides. (a brownish dusting type material on your sand and rockwork)
After these two are met in you particular case then you can start with a small CUC to see how it goes with them.
JMO
1. when you ghost feed you don't see a spike in ammonia.
2. You have seen a diatom bloom in your tank and then is subsides. (a brownish dusting type material on your sand and rockwork)
After these two are met in you particular case then you can start with a small CUC to see how it goes with them.
JMO
spanko
Active Member
Why did you add more buffer? your ph is good. With nomovement inthe ammonia and nitrite in a couple of days of ghost feeding I am beginning to suspect your test kit may have a problem. can you take a sample of your water to the local fish store and have them test to try to correlate your readings?
silverdak
Active Member
ya sure can. I will bring it by my store on Monday. I don't see it as being an issue.. I am partially color blind.. lol so I usually have to go by what others say and it is tough for them sometimes to tell what colors it is
as far as the ghost feeding I only added a pinch and only did that once and have not done anything since.
O have a feeling the cycle might be running a little fast due to using pre cycled water and live rock and live sand... maybe
as far as the ghost feeding I only added a pinch and only did that once and have not done anything since.
O have a feeling the cycle might be running a little fast due to using pre cycled water and live rock and live sand... maybe
silverdak
Active Member
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/2657665
just remember that the goal is to have 0 ammonia and nitrites for a couple of weeks prior to adding and livestock.
alright gotcha! shouldn't they all spike at some point tho??
not saying your wrong.. I just have no idea lol
http:///forum/post/2657665
just remember that the goal is to have 0 ammonia and nitrites for a couple of weeks prior to adding and livestock.
alright gotcha! shouldn't they all spike at some point tho??
not saying your wrong.. I just have no idea lol