Question about new tank?

plumber

plumber

Member
Hi , Just set up new 90 gal. drilled tank with 30 gal. sump. I used all new water , used approx 70 lbs of live sand from an existing tank and purchased another 60 lbs. from lfs. I have an existing 55 full of live rock , zoos, zoas, shrooms , and a variety of others. I also have another 55 full of live rock so what do I do next confused about this cycle thing. I also have several fish, shrimp, hermit crabs, snails ect. New tank set up 3 days water test results nitrate 0, nitrite 0, phos 0, ammon .50, ph 8.2 sg 1.021. Whats next would like to get this right the first time. Thanks John
 
ilovemytank

ilovemytank

Member
Originally Posted by Plumber
http:///forum/post/2840537
Hi , Just set up new 90 gal. drilled tank with 30 gal. sump. I used all new water , used approx 70 lbs of live sand from an existing tank and purchased another 60 lbs. from lfs. I have an existing 55 full of live rock , zoos, zoas, shrooms , and a variety of others. I also have another 55 full of live rock so what do I do next confused about this cycle thing. I also have several fish, shrimp, hermit crabs, snails ect. New tank set up 3 days water test results nitrate 0, nitrite 0, phos 0, ammon .50, ph 8.2 sg 1.021. Whats next would like to get this right the first time. Thanks John

I'm confused. Did I read right that you put in 70 lbs. of live sand from a tank and bought another 60 lbs. from a LFS. that totals 130 lbs of live sand. Am I reading this right ? How many inches would that put in a 90 gallon tank ? I know I have to be misunderstanding this. By the way congradulations on the new tank !
 
jeanheckle

jeanheckle

Member
Also, if it's a new tank why is there livestock in it? The tank needs to be cycled before anything goes in there.
 
veni vidi vici

veni vidi vici

Active Member
Originally Posted by Plumber
http:///forum/post/2840537
Whats next would like to get this right the first time. Thanks John

Quite possibly a funeral for dead fish. It sounds like you may have a chance though if the LR is fully curred.Hopefully your just getting a small ammonia spike from the transfer,possibly a little bit of die off.I would make up some emergency water just incase and keep an eye on water params.
Thats my 2cents
Good Luck
Nitrite=0
Ammonia=0
 
plumber

plumber

Member
Hi Thought I could clear up the confusion . 55 gal. tanks are still up and running with fish & livestock . I took some of my base rock which is approx a year old and added it to the new tank that is allthat is in it with the live sand. Thanks for all the advice as well as the conceern John
 
mr_x

mr_x

Active Member
john. it will take about a month for your new tank to cycle by itself. i would have never put the live sand in the tank, but i think that what i would do is add all the live rock from both tanks and keep a close eye on the water parameters foor a few weeks. you might get away with the existing live rock being enough to handle any cycle that the new live sand might have brought on.
 
plumber

plumber

Member
Hi, In response to Mr. X I am still confused I thought live sand was beneficial to the system. I also wanted to add my live rock is covered with shrooms , zoos, and such . I just took another water sample amm. 4.0 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 0. I question putting rock with these readings please advise Thanks again John
 
mr_x

mr_x

Active Member
the live sand will have to be cycled. you already have live rock and didn't need the live sand. you could have put dry sand in the tank and it would have become live eventually.
you are at the beginning of the cycle with just the live sand and base rock in the tank. i'd let it run it's couse now. a couple weeks and start testing.
 
ilovemytank

ilovemytank

Member
I'm still confused. I've seen everything answered but , Is there really 130 lbs. of Live Sand ? How many inches is that ? I'm not trying to jump on you, I just want to know !
 
plumber

plumber

Member
Hi , Thank you Stang for clearing that up for me. My Tank has approx 2"-3" of sand did not think that was the most important part. I was concerned about new tank and its future inhabitants . I have spent to much money to watch it all go down the proverbial crapper Thanks John
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
ok, this is a newly set up tank??
with live rock and live sand??
amm is 4.0??
sound like it is in cycle-This can tank anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks.
you should try to keep your ammonia below 1.0 so it dosent kill the hitchikers in your live rock.
once the cycle is complete then you can start to add your live stock.
Dont rush, it takes time.
TeresaQ
 
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