Ok need some advice...

shaun larlee

shaun larlee

Member
After researching for months i made the decision to start my 55 gal fish only tank.
I have been cycling for 2 weeks with three damsels who seem to be just fine.
My questions are quite easy im sure but need advice.
1.) I have CC which after reading these boards scares me, its a very deep bed but if its a hastle i would rather switch sooner than later.
2.) I have a cannister filter (eheim 2217 ) and thats all im using, the powerhead through the little guys everywhere. Also a stealth heater which seems steady.
3.) I jump started the cycle with "dirty water" from an established tank. I never saw an ammonia spike. Now my levels are weird.
Ammonia- .5 ppm
Nitrites- 5 ppm
Nitrates- 20 ppm
4.) Im starting very simple, fish only tangs, clowns, everything hopefully simple.
Does all this sound ok, i keep hearing about live rock but am not sure what additional things i would need. I know that rock requires lighting, minerals, and current etc...
I read all the beginning posts and honestly am just looking for a veterans advice.
THANKS!!!!
Shaun
 
shaun larlee

shaun larlee

Member
Are you a Union Electrician???
Anyways...i think your telling me cycling is complete when nitrites and ammonia is zero. So things are ok just need time.
Also it wont affect my fish if i do LS gradually, it seems like that would be a tough task to keep fish alive and kicking with cloudy water and new sand. BUT! if it works ill do it. Any specific process or just shovel out and shovel in.
 
ibew41

ibew41

Active Member
yes on union and it will get cloudy but goes away in a few hrs and yes you still are not finished cycled yet
 
shaun larlee

shaun larlee

Member
Thats great to hear. Im union also local 369 Louisville KY. Nice to meet you.
Ok so cloudy no big deal...how much live sand in ratio to bag sand can i get away with? Or will the bacteria migrate to straight bag sand?
Cycling not over but i guess atleast on its last leg with nitrates present. Good news..
Last but not least and i SWEAR ill shut up...whats up with live rock? Should i shouldnt i. And if i should what more does it require...?
Thanks for your help by the way, ill be switching to sand soon.(can i do this while cycling...?
 
ibew41

ibew41

Active Member
get live rock 1-1 1/2 lbs per gal and it will help filter better than your cannister,also get the best skimmer you can afford.just had a brother retire and move that way
 
shaun larlee

shaun larlee

Member
Ok so lets say i go out and get live rock tomorrow, just a little. What are the chances it will survive the remainder of the cycle? Also with that small of an amount of LR can i get away without the skimmer for awhile or is it manditory.
Any advice on sand? Do i need live sand or just basic play sand at this point in the cycle, im guessing its ok to start the transition during this point in the cycle, so is play sand ok???
 
ibew41

ibew41

Active Member
you can get by with out the live rock for now.you dont need live sand after the cycle just get it at your lfs,but get the skimmer first imo
 
9supratt4

9supratt4

Active Member
I also had CC in my 55 when I purchased it used and decided to switch over to Live Sand. At that time I had 2 clows and a purple psuedo in there. I did not switch it out in portions though. What I did was scooped out the CC with a clean shovel or cup then I siphoned out the remaining CC. I then added 80-pounds of Live Sand to the tank by slowly adding it with a cup.
That quickly got annoying so what I did was cut the top of the bag open and twisted it closed. I then placed the twisted part of the bag into the tank until it hit bottom and then slowly un-twisted the bag open and lifted it out very very slowly. Once it was all in I smoothed it out with my hand.
After that.....the water was cloudy and you couldn't even see past a half-inch, but it cleared up overnight. And the fish were fine....that was about a year ago and they are all still nice and healthy.....so if you can, I would switch the sand in now before you add your good fish to the tank.
Live sand is the best sand to use. I used the CaribSea sand which I bought in 2 bags of 40 pounds.
Hope this helps!!!!
 
nordy

nordy

Active Member
I just switched my CC for sand yesterday, after having the CC for the past 7 years or so. Definately go for sand now, rather than later, when it's all dirty and full of bad stuff.
Good luck with your new tank-you are already ahead of the curve by getting on the boards and getting the good info from people here.
 
9supratt4

9supratt4

Active Member
I think the 2 bags of 80lbs of Live Sand each were around $90-$100....I left the fish in the tank while I did it.
 
shaun larlee

shaun larlee

Member
and it gets expensive again

Ok so last but not least will this affect where i am in the cycling process, or should my levels stay close to the same. And also, how much sand is needed i know some say shallow others say deep.
 
9supratt4

9supratt4

Active Member
Originally Posted by Shaun Larlee
http:///forum/post/2580602
and it gets expensive again

Ok so last but not least will this affect where i am in the cycling process, or should my levels stay close to the same. And also, how much sand is needed i know some say shallow others say deep.
Just so you know.....I haven't found a single part of this hobby that isn't expensive!!!

You are correct....some say to have a shallow sand bed others a deep....I have a pretty deep sand bed with 80 pounds in my 55....the rule of thumb is about a pound per gallon.....do a search on here for Deep Sand Bed or DSB. You should get alot of information on that.
 
morval

morval

Member
1) get rid of the CC and do sand live or not but dont use play sand get it from ur LFS
2)canister filter is ok but live rock would be a good addition for extra filtration and give ur fish places to hide. protien skimmer would be a great addition in a few months also
3)adding water from another tank did not help ur cycle water does not have the needed bacteria, if u would have got some rock or sand from an established tank that would have helped, so thats why u have amonia and stuff its just the cycle, keep and eye on ur levels and do a water change if amonia gets over 1
4) some people will flame u for putting a tang in a 55 but its ur tank. u can find them small and trade them when they get to big but make sure to keep seaweed around for them
 
shaun larlee

shaun larlee

Member
Ok so here is my plan, please advise if i need changes...
1.) I guess the crushed coral is coming out, i will check LS prices today and most likely change it out. I was really hoping it would work because its about 3-4 inches deep but oh well. As my tank is cycling, i do hope this substrate change will not affect the remainder of my cycle.
2.) I am very interested in LR now that some have spoke on it. If i decide to get a few pounds for my tank, will it die in cycle? And also does LR require special lighting, minerals, etc???
3.) I guess i must also purchase a protein skimmer, or can i get away with purchasing one down the line?
4.) i will be testing my water today and will post my numbers soon, Any and ALL advice is welcomed because i really need all the info i can get.
THANKS

55 gallon tank
3 damsels
CC substrate
Eheim 2217 cannister filter
Powerhead
----just in case i know these details are good to have when giving advice___
 
yukon

yukon

Member
To save on costs of all live sand you can do a 50/50 mix of live and "not live" It will all be live eventually
 
nordy

nordy

Active Member
I think just about all sand you will find in your LFS will be "live sand". Since you are just starting your tank, I wouldn't worry about what type of sand you get from your LFS. Any sand you put in your tank will eventually become innoculated with the good bacteria from your tank, once it finishes cycling. Be sure to rinse it a couple of times and be prepared to have cloudy water when you place it in the tank-the cloudiness will go away shortly.
LR, unless "fully cured" will need to cure and cycle and you will need to monitor NH3, nitrates,and PH until it all settles in. Fully cured LR at a LFS can be really expensive, but will be able to be placed in your tank immediately. One option is to get base rock (much cheaper!) and let it populate w/bacteria in your tank. LR doesn't need any special care-it's the bacteria populating the rock that makes it "live" and effective in controlling ammonia. As long as the bacteria in your LR is fed by animal waste (ammonia), it will do fine.
As for a protein skimmer, I would absolutely recommend getting one sooner, rather than later, but with your low bioload you can get by without getting one right away. When you do get a skimmer, and see the gunk that it pulls from your tank water, you will understand why most SW tankeepers have one.
Good luck with your tank!
 
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