New tank startup question

[milhous3er]

Hi all, I'm in the process of starting up a 38 gallon tank. I finally got my salinity levels and water temp. to the correct levels. I'm going on vacation to Florida this week, so I decided just to get some live rock (10lbs of live fiji rock) from the LFS. The guy who owns this store is completely helpful and seems to be very knowlegable when it comes to salt water tanks (one would hope right??) So after I get the rock, he goes into the back where his "set-up is" and got me a half gallon of his water. I asked him what it was and he told me it was some of his bacteria from his tanks, and that a cycle isn't needed now. I'm very skeptical about this. The bag was a merky brown color, which I assume came out of his sump tanks. Has anyone heard of this ??
BTW, the called it a professional cycle....I assume he was being sarcastic.
But on a good not, I did notice 1 snail and 2 nickel sized brittle starfish in my tank now !! The hermit crab didn't make it through the trip home.

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by milhous3er
http:///forum/post/3260870
Hi all, I'm in the process of starting up a 38 gallon tank. I finally got my salinity levels and water temp. to the correct levels. I'm going on vacation to Florida this week, so I decided just to get some live rock (10lbs of live fiji rock) from the LFS. The guy who owns this store is completely helpful and seems to be very knowlegable when it comes to salt water tanks (one would hope right??) So after I get the rock, he goes into the back where his "set-up is" and got me a half gallon of his water. I asked him what it was and he told me it was some of his bacteria from his tanks, and that a cycle isn't needed now. I'm very skeptical about this. The bag was a merky brown color, which I assume came out of his sump tanks. Has anyone heard of this ??
BTW, the called it a professional cycle....I assume he was being sarcastic.
But on a good not, I did notice 1 snail and 2 nickel sized brittle starfish in my tank now !! The hermit crab didn't make it through the trip home.

It won't hurt it to put the water in there, cycle will do the same thing and you won't have to worry if it has any diseases. JMO
That doesn't mean you can add any critters yet. Set up your tank, put in your rock and then add the sand, you want the rock on the bottom, not sand under the rock. Go on vacation and deal with the tank when you get back.

 

[milhous3er]

So I have the tank running, powerheads, hang on filter, 10lbs of live rock. CC substrate. Coralife T5 lighting, 10k bulb and actinic bulb. When I get back next Friday, i'm going to add another 20lbs of live rock. How soon can I add the 2 percula clowns that i'm wanting ?? thanks

 

[milhous3er]

Any suggestions on if I should wait since i've gotten some beneficial bacteria from my LFS, or if in your opinion I should be alright to put the clowns in the tank ?? Its been up and running for 3 weeks now, only 2 weeks since i've put the live rock in.

 

[milhous3er]

So I got home last night and noticed my rocks were a brownish color. Is this the diatom that i'm always reading about when starting a new tank up ? If it is should I throw some hermit crabs in there or will it go away on its own ?? ANY input is good input. Thanks in advance

 

[handbanana]

Hi, Welcome. I don't know if anyone has yet so there ya go.
first thing I would say is test your water parameters and post em.
Ammonia
Nitrates
Nitrites
PH
Salinity
Did you go on vacation? If not i would say add another 20lbs of LR and let your cycle do its thing while your away.
When all your readings drop to zero add your CUC. Then in a while you could add some clowns.
I started my tank in December and got my first pair of clowns this month. so some patients is needed in this hobby.
From what Ive been told very little bacteria is actually in the water column, mostly in the sand and LR. now if he gave you a cup full of sand....thet would be a whole different story.
The brown stuff is more than likely Diatoms and it comes and goes. Some pics?
sorry bout the crab

 

[thomas712]

Only thing that I see that I suggest you do some more reaserch on is the Crushed coral substrate. Is it truley CC or some type of aragonite finer substrate? Crushed coral is seldem used now days, many past problems with CC causing nitrate problems.

 

[milhous3er]

Well what he gave me was a small bag with brownish dirty looking water. Probably about a 4 cups or so if I were to measure it. I'm leaving for vacation tomorrow. I'm going to just cut down on my lights to about 8hrs a day while i'm gone. I haven't tested my water yet (i know its sad).
This is the CC that i'm using right now. You'd have to google it becasue the link goes to googles store.
Aquarium Products ACS00150 Crushed Coral 40LB

 

[handbanana]

The added arogonite is good.

 

[spanko]

My suggestion would be to leave you lights off while you are gone. No need to waste the electricity with nothing in the tank but rock and substrate. will also help to cut down on evaporation. Don't rush here. The bag of water most likely has very little in it that will make your tank cycle any faster.
I would never add water from a LFS to my tank. Disease, parasites, perhaps copper are all possible contaminants.

 

[thomas712]

Originally Posted by milhous3er
http:///forum/post/3262196
This is the CC that i'm using right now.
Aquarium Products ACS00150 Crushed Coral 40LB
Well if I read correctly this substrate is Grain size 2.0- 5.5 mm, that is large size crushed coral. Now it also depends on just what you think this tank is going to be, as in will it have inverts? If so then such large size substrate (In my OPINION) might not be a wise choice. Sharp edges for snails? or other soft inverts? Also such substrate will no doubt trap food and waste.
Milhus3er - I don't mean to be a new tank party crasher. It may look great and be fine for now, but as you and your tank develope you may want to consider using a finer substrate in the future. I know I could not wait to throw out the CC, that caused me so many problems, that I had in a 55 gallon tank years ago and go with sand.
Have a great vacation and good luck with your new tank!
Thomas