refugium question

[mbowker]

Im cycling my refugium, i have approx 25 gals, old amiracle sump converted into a fuge, i used sand from another tank that was set up for about 6 months, however, the nitrates are threw the roof over 110. this has been running back into itself, (im pumping back into the inlet side for cycling purposes)for about a week, should i just continue or should i do a water change. i shouldnt hook up to the main tank yet right, wait till its completely cycled.
i was thinking my live rock would cycle it faster, but i didnt want to send those nitrates into the display tank, HELP

 

[daceman89]

i would do a water change to try and remove some nitrates. the nitrate bloom is probably coming from the stiring up of the sand when you removed from other tank. and i would not hook up to display tank until it completely cycles and you remove most of those nitrates

 

[mbowker]

thanks for the advice, im new to the fuge game, i figured it couldnt be good to run it through yet. The sandbed is definatly the cause, should i leave the sandbed alone to settle in or should i stir it up again and then do a water change again. probably leave it alone huh....

 

[bang guy]

If it were me I would put a LOT of water circulation in there. I'd also do large water changes. To save salt you can just pull the water from your display tank replace that with fresh saltwater. That way you'll do two water changes at the price of one. You'll also get your refugium acclimated to the parameters of your display tank water.

 

[mbowker]

im do for a tank water change today anyway. why put back fresh water wont that drop the salinity, or did i misundestand your post,
nevermind im an idiot, you posted fresh SALTwater, duh, i didnt think i was that green at this hobby to have missed that point
COME ON BANG- 5 more posts, YOU CAN DO IT

 

[mbowker]

i did what you said bang, changed twenty gallons from my display and put it in the fuge, how long do you think before i see results that mean something
should i add any live rock from the display to the fuge to help

 

[mbowker]

should i put a bag of carbon on the inlet side in the box on the left , is this a good place to run carbon for the main tnk

 

[mbowker]

bump

 

[bang guy]

Refugiums typically take months to become fully established & start producing.