Newbies Need Help Too!!!
- Thread starter wpayton34
- Start date
sepulatian
Moderator
Originally Posted by wpayton34
suggest any books to read??
Yes "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" by Robert Fenner It is an excellent book.
suggest any books to read??
Yes "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" by Robert Fenner It is an excellent book.
sepulatian
Moderator
As for some of the Vets on this forum, keep in mind people will make make mistakes. So rather then being short with others for the sake of saving little Nemo, please take the time to explain why, for this thread, adding Damsels this earlier in the cycle is not good.
Alright. You are correct.
Your salt system is going to go through a cycle process. Ammonia needs to be introduced into the system. Some LFS's recomend using fish to do this. It is very cruel to the fish and often times they do not survive the cycle. You can start the cycle with some uncured live rock. Bacteria is going to break down the ammonia created by the die off on the rocks and convert it into nitrite. Both ammonia and nitrite are highly toxic to fish. After the nitrite other bacteria break it down into nitrate which is less toxic. Nitrate needs to be removed via water changes. This cycle takes place in every tank. Once your Ammonia and nitrite reach a steady zero then it is safe to add fish.
Alright. You are correct.
Your salt system is going to go through a cycle process. Ammonia needs to be introduced into the system. Some LFS's recomend using fish to do this. It is very cruel to the fish and often times they do not survive the cycle. You can start the cycle with some uncured live rock. Bacteria is going to break down the ammonia created by the die off on the rocks and convert it into nitrite. Both ammonia and nitrite are highly toxic to fish. After the nitrite other bacteria break it down into nitrate which is less toxic. Nitrate needs to be removed via water changes. This cycle takes place in every tank. Once your Ammonia and nitrite reach a steady zero then it is safe to add fish.
sepulatian
Moderator
Originally Posted by wpayton34
when do i know when to do the 25% water change?? when my nitrates are high??
Yes, water change are done to reduce nitrates and replenish trace elements. When your nitrates reach 5-10ppm it is time for a water change. It is important not to let them build up. If you are not going to return these damsels then you will need to do water changes to keep the ammonia and nirites from reaching toxic levels as well. This will make your cycle take longer. That is why I recomended to return them.
when do i know when to do the 25% water change?? when my nitrates are high??
Yes, water change are done to reduce nitrates and replenish trace elements. When your nitrates reach 5-10ppm it is time for a water change. It is important not to let them build up. If you are not going to return these damsels then you will need to do water changes to keep the ammonia and nirites from reaching toxic levels as well. This will make your cycle take longer. That is why I recomended to return them.
sepulatian
Moderator
Originally Posted by wpayton34
Anouther question should i leave my light on the tank or sould i keep them off at nite??
you want your lights to run about 8-10hrs a day. Some people let them run 12 hrs. 8-10 is plenty though.
Anouther question should i leave my light on the tank or sould i keep them off at nite??
you want your lights to run about 8-10hrs a day. Some people let them run 12 hrs. 8-10 is plenty though.
sepulatian
Moderator
Originally Posted by wpayton34
ok thanks man uv been a huge help im gonna go order the master kit now any other suggestion on what to buy to help out his tank??
Just let it cycle and do some reading in the meantime. Take those fish back as well!! :happyfish
ok thanks man uv been a huge help im gonna go order the master kit now any other suggestion on what to buy to help out his tank??
Just let it cycle and do some reading in the meantime. Take those fish back as well!! :happyfish
