Tests appear normal

[pavelow360]

I just set up my first Aquarium with live sand and live rock. My SG is 1023, temp is at 80° F. It has been 2 days and nitrate, nitrite, PH alkalinity, calcium, phosphate and ammonia tests all appear to be in the green. I am not in a hurry to add any animals to the tank. I am leery of the fact that the tank did not cycle, as some of the live sand was from the former owner and sat for a day or so unheated. The live rock that I purchased went over night without being in water (just wrapped in plastic, kept wet). I wonder if I should try and force the tank to cycle by stirring the sand up? Or should I just wait a week or two?http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2488296510101073019YOZENz?vhost=pets http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2201976410101073019EGGQqK?vhost=pets http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2161997600101073019JRfBCK?vhost=pets

 

[turretdr]

Try a raw shrimp to force the cycle.

 

[tspors]

Don't force it. Just wait out 2 months then add CUC. Then 2 more months for fish. 4 months is nothing of this hobby.

 

[wab]

patience is the name of the game, it will same you heart ache and lots of money. GOOD LUCK

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Well I would be leery of the rock coming over night and not having any die off, 2 days is way to early to see any change, what you want to do is monitor the tank for 2-3 weeks for an ammonia spike (I think you will get it earlier with the die off in the LR) and once your ammonia spikes and goes back down to 0 then you can add your CUC. after your ammonia is down monitor nitrite and nitrate and once your nitrite's are down and you start seeing nitrates then you will be fine to start adding the fish you want (with some exceptions of course). This process should take about 4-8 weeks and add fish slowly so your biological filtration can keep up with your boiload. Good luck