new tank cycling... where am i at?? can i switch to LS now?

[djboozealot]

ok i have had my 26 gal tank for about 3 weeks now, and am in the process of cycling it. i was GROSSLY overfeeding the 3 damsels i have in the tank because i didn't know any better, and it caused a ton of food waste and algae to build up on the bottom (plus i had my light on 24/7 because again, i didn't know any better).
i have a cascade 300 gal/hr filter and a power head with i think 175 flow rate, i have so many dead spots that everything was just building up (i ordered a few more power heads online and they'll be here in a few days). for now, until the new power heads come, i am moving the power head to different locations in the tank to stir up the junk on the bottom and get it into the filter, which has been working very well.
i am planning on switching out my crushed coral to live sand, and i was wondering when i could do that. obviously i need to take care of a few things but is it ok to do this switch while the tank is being cycled?
also, my nitrates are at 5-20ish, and my phosphates are around 3-4. phosphates are supposed to be under 1 right? should i take care of the high phosphate levels now, or get rid of the crushed coral and go to sand first and then treat the phosphate levels?

 

[trigger11]

Originally Posted by DJboozeAlot
ok i have had my 26 gal tank for about 3 weeks now, and am in the process of cycling it. i was GROSSLY overfeeding the 3 damsels i have in the tank because i didn't know any better, and it caused a ton of food waste and algae to build up on the bottom (plus i had my light on 24/7 because again, i didn't know any better).
i have a cascade 300 gal/hr filter and a power head with i think 175 flow rate, i have so many dead spots that everything was just building up (i ordered a few more power heads online and they'll be here in a few days). for now, until the new power heads come, i am moving the power head to different locations in the tank to stir up the junk on the bottom and get it into the filter, which has been working very well.
i am planning on switching out my crushed coral to live sand, and i was wondering when i could do that. obviously i need to take care of a few things but is it ok to do this switch while the tank is being cycled?
also, my nitrates are at 5-20ish, and my phosphates are around 3-4. phosphates are supposed to be under 1 right? should i take care of the high phosphate levels now, or get rid of the crushed coral and go to sand first and then treat the phosphate levels?
Hello,
Here is how I would proceed with your new setup.
1. Take the damsel's back to the LFS. They are not needed in order to cycle a tank. You can either use ghost feeding or the raw shrimp idea which is suggested a lot on these boards. In essence, cycling the tank with damsels is not good for the fish. The high ammonia levels burn their gills. Plus, you are not going to want the damsels in there later anyway because they get too aggressive and in a 29g tank you wouldnt be able to put in any other fish.
2. Switch out your CC for the LS. This process is pretty much going to make the tank cycle again.
3. Wait for the tank to finish cycling. (I would add a piece of dead shrimp just to make sure there is a good cycle). Monitor ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels.
4. Add your cleanup crew. Snails, hermits, etc.
5. Add your first fish. Something other than a damsel. maybe a clown or a 6 line wrasse.
Hope this helps.
Welcome to the boards

~Trigger

 

[teresaq]

I would go a head and switch it out now before your tank is cycled. It will have to recycle after the new sand is put in. I would also get rid of the damsils. you dont need them to cycle your tank. It would be better to just get the CC out and restart. You will be happier in the long run.
Best of luck
TeresaQ

 

[djboozealot]

thanks. for the shrimp, i have some jumbo shrimp in my freezer that i have to eat for myself, straight from the ocean un-peeled with legs, head, etc. can i use one of these?
also i have an 8lb live rock in there right now, it has a decent amount of algae on it, should i brush all that algae off before switching to the live sand?
since i will have to basically break everything down to remove the CC and put the LS in, can i reuse most of the water that's already in the tank?

 

[teresaq]

yes, yes and yes.