Think I screwed up from the start.

[lammy2012]

Finally got around to starting my aquarium after looking at an empty 60 gallon tank for 2 months, but I think I jumped the gun an screwed up.

Along with the set up, the original owner also gave me the live sand that was in the tank when he had it running. Halfway through transferring the substrate from a 5 gallon bucket to the tank, I decided that I wanted to mix some new sand with this after finding a small magnet and a piece of what looked like amber plastic. Anyway, I sorted through the original substrate pulling out small rock, broken coral, snail shells, slate and the BS I mentioned and mixed in some new sand.

After I had the sand situated, I mixed my water. Here's where I think I screwed up:
First off, I did'nt rinse the new sand before mixing it. Then, even after the guy at the store told me I'd be fine, I mixed 60 gallons of tap water..... Now, I'm not using city water. I'm on well water which is why the guy said ill be fine. I haven't found anything on here regarding using well water, but because I don't know for sure, now I'm second guessing.

Should I have the water tested being that i didnt wash my sand and used well water or did I screw up and should start over and buy a ro/di system??

 

[Cymonous]

It is not really required to rinse the sand, but it helps to so you can reduce a sand storm/cloudiness. Using well water is not really recommended though. You have no idea what could be in that water. I would recommend buying a RO/DI unit and replace that water with RO/DI.

 

[Phinnay]

Test the water, if the parameters are out of whack, drain it and refill with RODI. You don't have to worry about totally drying the sand or anything, just remove the water till you can't any longer.
Rinsing the sand reduces the cloudiness that can happen when things get mixed up while adding water, I'd not worry about it.

It sounds like you are rushing, read up some more and take it slowly - the fishes aren't going anywhere.

 

[Dapg8gt]

You had 2 month old used sand in a bucket and just added it to your tank?

I would think that would be some rank stuff. The new sand shouldn't be an issue but the old I'd say yes.

And def get an RODI or get your well tested. I read a few posts of guys having really good well water and only needed sediment filters FWIW..

 

[Sk8r]

Whew! Read the stickies atop this forum and you'll find a lot of info you haven't asked yet. But will.
It'll need to cycle. Don't do anything until it does, and then you should be ok.

 

[danil]

You could have done better but nothing is "screwed up". My understanding you don't have rocks in your tank yet? If not it's super easy just drain the half a tank and stir up the sand then drain the rest of the water. Now you can fill it up with RODI water. Second option is put rocks in and cook them in the tank. You have to follow procedure and at the end you'll be fine.

 

[coralsnaked]

IMO & IME everytime I hear a story about using old sand it turns out bad! Now if that sand was stored dry it will produce once heck of a good ammonia spike which is good however it probably has a lot of stored up stuff like PO4 which you do not want to start your tank with. And the problem w/ well water is not cl-, but Silica and heavy metals.

It's a 60 G right? Not so big for a do over IMO I would suggest draining and washing and drying that sand or better yet chunk it and buy some good reef grade dry aragonite sand, enough for a 2" or less bed. Wash it! and fill w/ salt mix made w/ RODI. Add about 60 -90 lbs of quality dry rock. You can thank me up the road when you have a nice clean cycled tank free from pest algae.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

you used well water?

hold off on hanging your lights. Get a good skimmer. Let the tank cycle while running a good skimmer. NO LIGHTS.
Get an RO unit. Change out 100% water and THEN light it up. Ramp up lighting slowly!
You will still have the usual algae problems but many will be avoided as long as you don't light it up with well water in there.

 

[Dozer1one]

Well water is known for having a high iron content,You should take this oppurtunity and drain the tank and purchase an RODI. If you do purchase one you will most likely need to get a high flow booster pump as well because wells also generally have low water pressure. Alot of the RODI units today come with pressure gauges built into them that way you can see if your water pressure is to low. Also try to stay away from re using live sand in the future it can leach nitrates or phosphates for quit some time making it difficult to keep your params in check. Restart now if theres even a doubt in your mind this hobby doesnt hae to be expensive but if things arent done correctly it will be. Good luck keep us posted

 

[r1racer]

Start over...new sand from reefrocks.net is cheap and looks great.

 

[cap032]

You had 2 month old used sand in a bucket and just added it to your tank?

I would think that would be some rank stuff. The new sand shouldn't be an issue but the old I'd say yes.

And def get an RODI or get your well tested. I read a few posts of guys having really good well water and only needed sediment filters FWIW..

+1. There has got to be some massive die off/decay in that sand.

 

[MARINECRITTERS]

+1. There has got to be some massive die off/decay in that sand.

Mostly hydrogen sulphide, forming a nasty egg smell. I imagine it would not be too much of a problem during the cycle though.
I have to agree with others, new sand, new rock, and new water with a RODI unit.

 

[Badkarma88]

If you think that you will question your decision a few weeks down the road then it will be better to drain it and start over. If not, every little problem that pops up will make you wonder if it was caused by the well water.

 

[lammy2012]

Well, a bit of good news. I just got back from my LFS. I told him the situation and he agreed that it would be a good idea to change everything. Then I gave him a water sample to test. Everything tested perfect!! He said not to waste money on new sand/water and judging by the test, I'd be fine with what I have. He also said my well water will be fine for water changes according to the test. He advised me that i'd be ok to move forward and add rock. I'm going to have the water tested weekly through the cycle just to be sure.

 

[Zimmer]

What did they test for? Probly not heavy metals, silica, or phosphates..... those are the things that are going to mess this tank up if they are present in any measurable amount. Would be interested to know what they tested for and what the results were specifically?

I'm still noob-ish myself but if I was you I would absolutely replace the water, if nothing else... I have well water myself and I won't even drink that stuff, let alone put it in my fish tank! (i realize not all wells are created equally, but still... lol)

 

[Phinnay]

Start over...new sand from reefrocks.net is cheap and looks great.

Definitely follow this guys advice, Mail me all your 'contaminated' rock and sand.

 

[G4546]

If you think that you will question your decision a few weeks down the road then it will be better to drain it and start over. If not, every little problem that pops up will make you wonder if it was caused by the well water.

I'd follow Gary's advice, though this quote above is valid... For a piece of mind you might want to read the stickies as Sk8r said and bang it out right from the start Never stop reading! Goodluck mate!