Starting a new tank and need help.

yousillyhumans

yousillyhumans

New Member
I have everything on the way and I have the tank all cleaned up and checked for leaks, filled up, conditioned and ready to go. However I have not cycled my tank before purchasing my fish ( noob mistake ) the fish is on the way and there is no going back now. I need to establish a good bacterial colony fast. My question is I found some Freshwater nitrate sponge ( it came with the used fish tank that I have recently cleaned up ) But I am starting a salt water tank. My question to you guys is should I go down to the pet store and buy the BIO-Spira Saltwater Aquarium Bacteria or should I just put my fish in and use the nitrate sponge when any levels get too high?
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by yousillyhumans http:///t/397134/starting-a-new-tank-and-need-help#post_3538694
I have everything on the way and I have the tank all cleaned up and checked for leaks, filled up, conditioned and ready to go. However I have not cycled my tank before purchasing my fish ( noob mistake ) the fish is on the way and there is no going back now. I need to establish a good bacterial colony fast. My question is I found some Freshwater nitrate sponge ( it came with the used fish tank that I have recently cleaned up ) But I am starting a salt water tank. My question to you guys is should I go down to the pet store and buy the BIO-Spira Saltwater Aquarium Bacteria or should I just put my fish in and use the nitrate sponge when any levels get too high?

Hi,

Welcome to the site,


When you say fish is on the way....how many fish? What size tank is this and did you get cured live rock? You can soft cycle a tank, you do a water change whenever you see the ammonia rise, to keep the fish as comfortable as possible so they don't burn their gills....but it all depends on tank size (water volume) and if you got 1 little fish or purchased your entire stock at one time.

The freshwater bacteria is different then SW bacteria, there are no short cuts...and any bottled bacteria you purchase, has to have time to build up the colonies. Cured live rock can help because it has the needed bacteria, some sponge from an established tank, or even sand from an established system....all of those will help build things up. However it can't build "fast" that isn't how it works.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by yousillyhumans http:///t/397134/starting-a-new-tank-and-need-help#post_3538701
its only 1 spiny box puffer

no cured rock and i plan on feeding it blood worms mixed with live snails.

One fish you can manage with a soft cycle...watch the ammonia real close, test for it 2xs a day and keep pre-mixed water ready for emergency water changes. You need live rock, it's a natural filter... macro-algae will also keep the tank water up to snuff, it absorbs ammonia and nitrates and uses it to grow on, when you prune it back and toss out the over growth (called harvesting) you remove the nasty's from the system.

Do you have power heads? The idea is to mimic the ocean as much as possible, that's why live rock is a very needed thing...the wave is the life of the ocean and your SW tank. SW has less oxygen in it then freshwater, SW tanks may look all calm and peaceful, but the water is turbulent.

While you watch the ammonia level it would be a really good idea to purchase a good beginners book on keeping saltwater aquariums.
 
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