!!!! Urgent Post !!!! PLEASE REPLY!!!!

[timsedwards]

You would not believe this, I am cursed, I have ran out of cyle, i have no idea where the bottle is
Im preparing a rope for myself now!
BTW if I forget I am eternally grateful to you guys

 

[buzz]

No problem. I just hope everything works out in the end. The cycle bacteria suggestion was just to help knock out any spike quicker. Don't noose up that rope just yet.

 

[timsedwards]

unless! I have just found some cycle stuff I had for my old freshwater and it says suitable for marine tanks?? Should I use what little I have of this??

 

[buzz]

Don't know the brand, but if it says for marine tanks, it may be OK.
The filter you have with bioballs, etc. probably has a good supply of bacteria all ready. This just may help a little more in the immediate.

 

[timsedwards]

right added what cycle I can, should i start mixing waters now? getting anxious for fish now, approaching 3 hours

 

[timsedwards]

I am starting to mix the water now, cant wait any longer, been nerealy 3 hours. Am also testing water to see if nitrites/nitrates have fallen.
Gosh its like some epic tale this

 

[buzz]

Slowly...
Admittedly, I am nervous about the levels, and personally would consider taking everything to the fish store temporarily, but if that isn't an option right now, you have to take your chances.
Acclimate slowly...

 

[timsedwards]

well its half past midnight here in the UK so i have no choice
Ive put them in and they all seem relatively happy, the Sea Apple is even munching away.
Yes I am very nervous too but as i said, sadly have no choice. Will see what results are tomorrow morning to whether I take them o the fish store. Dont know if they do that here in England but worth a short eh?

 

[timsedwards]

also i havent fed them yet today, should i feed them a little now or not and stop them excreting?

 

[buzz]

They will probably be fine with a single day with no food. If you want, put some flakes in there, but I would leave the lights off to reduce stress overnight.

 

[timsedwards]

Righty,
Everything has settled down a little now, fish and corals are in, everyone seems content, fed them a tad of flake.
Bit of a nervous night ahead, but will have to see what conditions are tomorrow before I go to work (if i go to work!!), I will post on here so you know!
Thanks ever so much everyone for all your help, without you guys I would ahve been absolutely up the creek without a paddle!

 

[timsedwards]

Well its 6:46am here in UK, bit nervous going to the tank!
ALl the fish have made it but the Yellow Tang doesnt seem very well. Did a few tests and my results are the same as night before (scroll up) and Ammonia if anything is a bit worse, soon as 9am comes Ill be ringing the LFS to see if they can babysit my fish.
If they (and I hope) they do, If I have 2/3 days, how in goodness do i get all my levels down? Is there a way toget it done in that amount of time?!?
Hope to hear from you guys when you wake up!!

 

[arkman]

Hi there England!
How's everyone doing???
For next time (and please someone with more experience please speak up if this is bad advice!) I would not worry quite so much about the fish in the bags. If you have a big enough bag, and a good amount of air as well, they should be ok for at least 12 hours. Keep the temperature stable, and in the dark though. Remember, many of these critters are shipped from very far away places that tend to move a bit slower than the western world...Admittedly, the survival rate on shipping in far from 100% (one of the reasons I trying to go aquacultured) but it is a fairly regular process...
I'm curious, did you remove the under gravel as well? I'm assume you are changing from CC to sand, or arag?

 

[timsedwards]

Hi there, we are all very cold but fine in England!!!
Yes I removed the UGF and I changed to Coral Sand.
Will rmb that for future ref about the bags!

 

[arkman]

LOL (laughing out loud) - I meant the fish - but good to hear that the English are well
How are your critters?

 

[timsedwards]

LOL! Sorry!
Hmmm they all seem ok if not a bit shell-shocked, altho the Yellow Tang looks like I do after a night out, so as soon as 9am hits (1hour or so) Im going to take them down to LFS hopefully and they will (fingers crossed) babysit them for me.
Any ideas on how to get all my levels down in a couple of days?

 

[arkman]

water changes...but I'd worry about the disruption to your bio base. You just changed the substrate, now the water? I'd reduce light, increase circulation, decrease (stop) all feeding and add some VERY WELL CURED live rock.
Try calling your LFS first.
...this is just a comment, please don't take it as a slam - and its only an opinion (which may mean nothing) - but I think you may want to slow down a little bit. There is definately a ticking clock when it comes to these things, but IN MY OPINION it ticks more slowly than most people expect. Catostrophic things can happen "overnight" but rarely "before your eyes".
Good lucK!

 

[timsedwards]

LOL, i knew it was going to be expensive one way or another!
The only thing is, yes from my experience it does take time, but I dont have time on my side, because presumably, IF my LFS take them in for a little bit it wont be long! But i shall ring them in about 30 mins and find out!

 

[timsedwards]

OK just rang the LFS and luckily they will keep them for me
Not sure for how long though, and now the main problem is how to get the water quality right again. Im thinking loads of live rock (well cured apparently) and a few water changes, but will go on what you guys say? What dya think?

 

[timsedwards]

Hi Guys,
Well success! The LFS took my fish in and they seem happier already! He also tested my water and it was slightly better than I had thought it was, Nitrites were fine, jsut ammonia and Nitrate a tad up, pH was fine.
I bought 4 pieces of living rock (at £20 for 2.2lb - $35) it is expensive! But all helps. I also bought this thing which destroys all ammonia, converts it to harmless ammonia without harming anything, no copper in it of course, and was told it will totally wipe my ammonia. Anyone any experience of this?
Well hopefully things will start looking positive now!