Question and Request

sparty059

Active Member
Hey everyone, so I will be becoming an official Californian in the next month leaving my life time state of MI
. However, it's something I just have to get out of my system. Anyway, I'm in the middle of a debate. I know there are companies that maintain fish tanks and you can pay them to basically care for it and do everything for it so then you wouldn't have to do anything but look at and enjoy the tank. I'm thinking I will go to Cali, and set up my living arrangements start cycling a bare tank and leave it be for about 3 weeks (just top offs would be necessary during the cycle if I remember correctly). While I'm out there I'll have another company come by and care for the tank back in MI for the three/four weeks I'm gone for. Sound like a decent idea?
Another thought I had come across is do apartments/condos/lofts allow you to place large fish tanks in your living area or are there rules in contracts that say you can't have aquarium tanks?
Lastly, if the situation does not work out where I have someone watch my tank in MI while I cycle in Cali... (large request here, but brace yourself...) is there anyone in California (preferably someone that I've had some conversation with before) that would be willing to hold and care for my fish for a month or two if I ship them out? I really don't want to seperate my fish, I feel like they are all a little family now and would bummed out.
 

gemmy

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sparty059 http:///forum/thread/386863/question-and-request#post_3400118
Hey everyone, so I will be becoming an official Californian in the next month leaving my life time state of MI
. However, it's something I just have to get out of my system. Anyway, I'm in the middle of a debate. I know there are companies that maintain fish tanks and you can pay them to basically care for it and do everything for it so then you wouldn't have to do anything but look at and enjoy the tank. I'm thinking I will go to Cali, and set up my living arrangements start cycling a bare tank and leave it be for about 3 weeks (just top offs would be necessary during the cycle if I remember correctly). While I'm out there I'll have another company come by and care for the tank back in MI for the three/four weeks I'm gone for. Sound like a decent idea?
Another thought I had come across is do apartments/condos/lofts allow you to place large fish tanks in your living area or are there rules in contracts that say you can't have aquarium tanks?
Lastly, if the situation does not work out where I have someone watch my tank in MI while I cycle in Cali... (large request here, but brace yourself...) is there anyone in California (preferably someone that I've had some conversation with before) that would be willing to hold and care for my fish for a month or two if I ship them out? I really don't want to seperate my fish, I feel like they are all a little family now and would bummed out.
Sparty, I can only answer the middle question for you. Many places that rent will not allow a tank larger than 55 gallons (that is the total volume). I am running into this problem with picking a new place to live.
Oh, congrats and good luck!!!
Don't be such a stranger!
 

monsinour

Active Member
All LFS near me offer the in home service. I have no idea what they charge or whether their people are bonded or not. Is someone staying behind in MI that can watch the fish?
 

sparty059

Active Member
Thank you Gemmy :), I will be no stranger don't you worry!
Monisor, yeah, I don't know really if I can trust the LFS to handle that. I do have family in MI that would be able to watch it. However, after the first or second week they'll probably say it's too much work and would prefer to just not deal with it. I'll have to look a bit more into the LFS stuff though.
 

2quills

Well-Known Member
Good luck on the move Spartan. If you thought traffic in detroit was bad just wait until you get out there.
What part are you going to?
Yeah most places have a 55g limit and some may even require you to carry renters insurance which is a good idea to have anyways. Whether or not they would enforce it is entirely another story. I know there are people out there getting away with it.
They're your fish bud, but if it were me, just going through the hassle of moving my tanks in the past since you don't have a ton of livestock I'd just sell them all and start over when you're ready since this isn't a local move. But that's just me.
 

sparty059

Active Member
Quick thought... Do stores sell already cycled water? Could I just buy it from there and dump it in my tank and it should be fully cycled right away right?
 

gemmy

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kiefers http:///forum/thread/386863/question-and-request#post_3400206
no such thing as cycled water..... they sell R/O water that is mixed with the salt.
Some LFS claim they sell it, but it is just another snake oil product.
Sparty, you can buy fully cured live rock and may help reduce the cycling time. If you have a fool proof way to transport your existing rock to the new place in water, you can reduce the cycling time. I was able to setup my 55 gallon in 3 days and add livestock to it. Now, my method does not work for everyone and many would ridicule me for my method, but it worked. The only losses I have had were DOA's, jumpers and bullying (or rather my anemone eating things). You can PM for more details/tips.
 

btldreef

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemmy http:///forum/thread/386863/question-and-request#post_3400209
Some LFS claim they sell it, but it is just another snake oil product.
Sparty, you can buy fully cured live rock and help reduce the cycling time. If you have a fool proof way to transport your existing rock to the new place in water, you can reduce the cycling time. I was able to setup my 55 gallon in 3 days and add livestock to it. Now, my method does not work for everyone and many would ridicule me for my method, but it worked. The only losses I have had were DOA's, jumpers and bullying (or rather my anemone eating things). You can PM for more details/tips.
I've always used water from previous tanks, and although there isn't much in there, I've found that it does help a little. No ridicule from me, you probably do similar things to me. I have never done the traditional cycle since my very first tank, and I also only lost fish due to jumping.
 

kiefers

Active Member
well, Im to chicken sh..... to try other things, But hey.... oh and I 'm rather like Joe when it comes to doing things different...... MY TANK, just bragging that it worked. Lol......
 

florida joe

Well-Known Member
When we refer to cured live rock we are not guaranteed that there is any colonization of nitrifying bacteria present, hence no guarantee that we will reduce the time frame for the nitrogen cycle to become established
Quote:
Sparty, you can buy fully cured live rock and help reduce the cycling time
 

gemmy

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by florida joe http:///forum/thread/386863/question-and-request#post_3400547
When we refer to cured live rock we are not guaranteed that there is any colonization of nitrifying bacteria present, hence no guarantee that we will reduce the time frame for the nitrogen cycle to become established
I totally agree with that. I was simply saying that if you get fully cured live rock can help reduce the amount of time that it takes to cycle. Now, there are other mitigating factors that can impact the cycle length and ways to boost the nitrogen cycle along.
 

gemmy

Active Member
Isn't there a place in Cali you can get free saltwater from the ocean??? It's in San Diego I believe.
 

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Quote:
I totally agree with that. I was simply saying that if you get fully cured live rock can help reduce the amount of time that it takes to cycle
imo if you said MAY help i will agree
 
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