Here's the Nano Cube I've been waiting on, I finally put the live sand, live rock, and water in there...Tell me what you think of the aqauscape and how it looks. I'm wondering whether I should keep the light on (a normal day/night schedule) or should I just leave it off during the cycling process? What should I do with the output, should I leave it how it is or attach that Y-connector (seen below)? Any suggestions or ideas for me...?
Cycling my 12G
- Thread starter cburns32
- Start date
Here are the pictures of three compartments and what I have in each
Compartment 1 (Left)
Sponge - Bag of Chemi-pure - Sponge
Compartment 2 (Middle)
Live Rock Rubble
Compartment 3 (Right)
50-watt heater - Maxi Jet 900
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=156490&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500
Compartment 1 (Left)
Sponge - Bag of Chemi-pure - Sponge
Compartment 2 (Middle)
Live Rock Rubble
Compartment 3 (Right)
50-watt heater - Maxi Jet 900
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=156490&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500
Day 8 Test Results
pH - 8.2
Ammonia - 3.0 ppm
Nitrite - +5.0 ppm
Nitrate - +160 ppm
Specific Gravity - 1.032
Salinity - 42
Temperature - 80.2 degrees F
The reason the specific gravity is so high as well as the salinity, is because I haven't done a freshwater top-off yet, that'll bring it down, I lost about 1 1/2 cm, since it has been up so I'll replace that today, and test the SG and S again. Ammonia has been around 3.0 ppm for a few days, hope it goes down sometime soon. The temperature reaches 80.9-81 at some points and in the night goes down to about 80 is that OK?
pH - 8.2
Ammonia - 3.0 ppm
Nitrite - +5.0 ppm
Nitrate - +160 ppm
Specific Gravity - 1.032
Salinity - 42
Temperature - 80.2 degrees F
The reason the specific gravity is so high as well as the salinity, is because I haven't done a freshwater top-off yet, that'll bring it down, I lost about 1 1/2 cm, since it has been up so I'll replace that today, and test the SG and S again. Ammonia has been around 3.0 ppm for a few days, hope it goes down sometime soon. The temperature reaches 80.9-81 at some points and in the night goes down to about 80 is that OK?
Cutiewitbooty
New member
yes you need to do water changes, espically to get thoes nitrates down. You don't want everything on the liverock to die lol The bacteria that is being produced from cycling is mostly on the sand and rocks so water changes arn't going to hurt anything. I would say do 20% once a week untill the cycle is over and keep toping off your water, that high salt level can kill stuff on the rocks too. Oh and the temp is fine.
davidryder
Claris or Elliot?
the lighting doesn't make a difference when cycling... i would suggest a 10-15% water change/week. don't meddle with it too much, just do what is neccessary and you should see some good results.
Wintermute
New member
What they said. What you want to avoid is 100% water changes (though some recommend it on a cycled tank) while you're cycling as that will pretty much start the process over. You can also use the Cycle additives to speed up the process, though it's unecessary. It'll take some time, so just be patient.
Cutiewitbooty
New member
do a water change to get the nitrates down a little. I wwould do a 30% water change if i was you. It's ok if their there, but you really don't want them to be quite that high.
Newreeflady
New member
Run the light only part time if you want to cut back on algae growth. I tend to cycle my tanks running the lamp about 4 hours/day.
Definitely keep up with water changes. Sounds like there was a lot of death on your rock. Was it shipped? Sometimes it is better to try to get some local rock that has settled in someone elses tank first if possible to start your biosystem, then add new rock from other sources if you choose to.
-A
Definitely keep up with water changes. Sounds like there was a lot of death on your rock. Was it shipped? Sometimes it is better to try to get some local rock that has settled in someone elses tank first if possible to start your biosystem, then add new rock from other sources if you choose to.
-A
Day 26 results:
pH - 8.2-8.3ish
Ammonia - 0ppm
Nitrite - 0ppm
Nitrate - 15ppm
S.G. - 1.025
Sal. - 40
Temp. - 81 F
I think I might go buy some cleaners today, maybe a few snails, 1 or two hermits, and possibly a shrimp, what do you all think, and how do I go about acclimating them?
pH - 8.2-8.3ish
Ammonia - 0ppm
Nitrite - 0ppm
Nitrate - 15ppm
S.G. - 1.025
Sal. - 40
Temp. - 81 F
I think I might go buy some cleaners today, maybe a few snails, 1 or two hermits, and possibly a shrimp, what do you all think, and how do I go about acclimating them?
new2u
New member
I can't remember where I read it, but I belive that the presense of the ammonia and nitrite were what spiked your initial nitrate levels, and the evening off your seeing now is completly normal. I'd reccommend grabbing a half dozen snails and a couple hermits if your algea is starting to take over, just a couple to keep it in check and watch them for a period of two weeks. Then, add something big shrimp fish ect. Check out the acclimation guide at www.liveaquaria.com
chocolateblnt
New member
start using photobucket 
some of us are stony lazy 
some of us are stony lazy Newreeflady
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7011894#post7011894 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chocolateblnt
start using photobucket
lol!!
I was too lazy, too
--
oh, and to help the poster, you should be fine to add detrivores to the tank. I wouldn't add fish until you get those nitrates down. They definitely won't help.
jmo,
-A
