Originally Posted by
KellenR
http:///forum/post/2668465
OMG. I don't even know where to begin. I'm really holding back here.
Ok. I don't think you've done ANY research on here as you claim, from what I see it looks like you're doing the exact opposite. What are you cycling? Your water column? You need live rock and live sand in there first. That is your filtration media that will provide surface area to host nitrifying bacteria. That little dinky filter you have on there is useless. You need a much larger/better filter, ESPECIALLY since you have no live rock in there.
You say the specific gravity was perfect so you added a damsel?? LOL. First off specific gravity is the salt content of the water, its whatever you make it. You need to wait until your Ammonia=0 and Nitrites=0 before you add fish. You think it'll live? U serious? Not only is it not gonna live, its gonna die within 4 days, guaranteed. You say 'I plan on cycling for 3 weeks'. Thats not up to you, thats up to your tank. Could take 7 weeks in your case or could take 5.
Blue damsels are very aggressive and very territorial, in a 20g tank thats gonna be your only livestock.
You also mention you're going to add corals slowly and really watch the temperature? Temp is the last thing YOU need to worry about. 1st is water quality, 2nd is lighting. You need to research WAY more before you're gonna do anything here. You're gonna need to know what your Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates, pH, Phosphates, Calcium & dKH are at and how to adjust them before you add corals. Do you even know what these levels are at now or even have a test kit? I'm guessing no. And fork out $3 and get a thermometer, saying your house is 73*F so your tank should be good is rediculous.
You have nothing in your tank except water, sand and a damsel. This is very irresponsible way of starting out. I see a long road ahead.
Your missing all kinds of key elements here. Where's the powerhead?? Whats your filtration? What are your levels at? I'm not trying to be rude, really, I just cant tolerate carelessness and the lack of responsibility.
You need to read more, I can see you jumped right in head over heels without the proper knowledge and equipment.
You need a heater, thermometer, powerhead (or 2), 20+lbs. LR, 20+lbs. LS, better filter and basic test kits. All that needs to be put in right now. Having all of that is the start of the cycling process. After this damsel dies, dont put anything else in there at least until your Ammonia & Nitrites are at 0.
Please chill out I am new to this. First of all the temperature was the last thing I was worried about until someone else said to watch it. Why should I worry about temperature if I have nothing in the tank yet?
It has been a week now and the damsel is doing great. I did one water change before I added 20 pounds of Live Rock, which has been in the tank for one day now. I am going to start testing the water now and charting the spikes.
Once again, I do not plan on her dieing. Oh and I will pick up a thermometer today.