first addition
- Thread starter pdgaffer
- Start date
Jacob D
New member
I figured it was new (has that look). 4 weeks is pretty early to add anything. Don't take this the wrong way but by your experience listed in your signature I'm asking to get an idea of where you are at - has your tank cycled yet? Are you testing your water parameters? If so what readings are you getting? If any of this doesn't make sense just say so, many of the club members are knowledgable and willing to help.
pdgaffer
Premium Member
Not taking it wrong at all. I'm not sure if it has cycled yet. I have a test kit and will run tests tomorrow. I know im doing what I said I wouldnt do and rushing into things. Shouldnt I see some sort of algae growth during the cycle period. Nothing has happened yet? I'll test tomorrow . Nitrates, ammonia, and ph are the main things to look for right? Thanks for all your help. My last tank I had I listened to John @ Twins and he said fill up with salt and water, wait 2 weeks, add clean up crew , wait 2 weeks , add coral, wait 2 weeks, then add you fish. :rolleye1:
My last tank I had I listened to John @ Twins and he said fill up with salt and water, wait 2 weeks, add clean up crew , wait 2 weeks , add coral, wait 2 weeks, then add you fish.
John told me once to add soy sauce to my tank to raise alk level, when I was a newbie
:eek1: .....anyways, since then I've learned to ask and get info from as many sources as I can. good luck on your tank!
John told me once to add soy sauce to my tank to raise alk level, when I was a newbie
:eek1: .....anyways, since then I've learned to ask and get info from as many sources as I can. good luck on your tank!
Jacob D
New member
John is a good guy, and one of our sponsors (thanks John!). The thing you have to realize about him is that he is a little old school. He usually gives good advice but most hobbyists are working towards better husbandry these days - among other things this includes not clycling tanks with fish, and waiting for the tank to settle down a little before adding anything really. Not only does it increase chances of success but it spares the lives of animals that may or may not survive the unstable first few months of a tank being set up.
Unless you used live rock from an established tank you WILL get a cycle. Even then you might get a mini-cycle just from moving the rock to a new environment. You want to test Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate. Your PH is important too but for the cycle those are the big 3. Eventually you want to see 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrite, and 0 (or low) Nitrates. When you get there wait another couple of weeks (at least) then you can add a cleanup crew, and keep an eye on your parameters and you can slowly begin to add fish and corals.
And yes, you'll get an algae bloom sooner or later, it may take a couple more weeks but it will happen
Unless you used live rock from an established tank you WILL get a cycle. Even then you might get a mini-cycle just from moving the rock to a new environment. You want to test Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate. Your PH is important too but for the cycle those are the big 3. Eventually you want to see 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrite, and 0 (or low) Nitrates. When you get there wait another couple of weeks (at least) then you can add a cleanup crew, and keep an eye on your parameters and you can slowly begin to add fish and corals.
And yes, you'll get an algae bloom sooner or later, it may take a couple more weeks but it will happen
lanxang
Active member
Another thing about John is that he likes to Joke around a lot. I've been a customer of his for about 5 years and he jokes around with me every time.
One time I ask him what a certain fish was he told me it was a monica fish. I ask him what hell is a monica fish. Later realizing it a joke. lol.
John is a great guy to deal with. Once he gets to know you, you can pretty much haggle for anything.
One time I ask him what a certain fish was he told me it was a monica fish. I ask him what hell is a monica fish. Later realizing it a joke. lol.
John is a great guy to deal with. Once he gets to know you, you can pretty much haggle for anything.
