unique cycling question

[bues0022]

I'm in the home strech - just getting all my ducks in a row before I order this week (hopefully).

Here's the setup: 58ga and 30ga cube plumbed together via a common sump.

Problem: $$, not enough to get "The package" for almost 90 gallons.

My soution: I have almost 100 lbs of LR cooking. I also went to NC last week, and picked up 2 5ga buckets full of sand.

So, I'm planning on getting a 50 gallon package (I think) to put in the 58 gallon tank. I'm going to mix in some sand from NC to get the proper sand amount in that tank. In the 30 gallon I have the NC sand already just sitting in the tank. This will be FOWLER until I can get some decent lights on it. Most of the LF I have will go into this tank. Some extra will be base rock for the 58ga.

How will my cycle change with these variables? The LR is good and cured, smells great. clean of everything. The sand stinks really bad!! I rinsed it out as best as I could before I put it in the tank, but I still think this will change how I should cycle the tank when I get the TBS package.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to drop a lot of money on the awesome TBS stuff just to kill it from my own ignorance!

 

[bues0022]

any ideas?

 

[liverock]

Sand

Sand

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11213619#post11213619 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bues0022
any ideas?

Well....

the sand sounds like a looser...if it smells bad, it is, and will take forever to cycle....best to use the real stuff from the bottom of the Gulf....to help with the cycle.

Richard TBS

 

[bues0022]

Do you think there's any way that I can clean it enough to basically just make it "dead"? void of all smells and everything? Then the real stuff from the gulf should seed it right? or maybe not?

 

[liverock]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11214024#post11214024 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bues0022
Do you think there's any way that I can clean it enough to basically just make it "dead"? void of all smells and everything? Then the real stuff from the gulf should seed it right? or maybe not?

There is a right way...and a wrong way to do this......if you want a happy tank, do it the right way!

 

[bues0022]

That's what I was afraid of....my wallet is happier with the "wrong way"

 

[bues0022]

How about another idea...how would it affect "the package" to supplement with some dry sand?

 

[liverock]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11214156#post11214156 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bues0022
How about another idea...how would it affect "the package" to supplement with some dry sand?

Yea but in the long run, you and you tank will be happier!

 

[liverock]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11214156#post11214156 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bues0022
How about another idea...how would it affect "the package" to supplement with some dry sand?

You can do that....and it works.....just mix well with the live sand...

 

[bues0022]

(in the voice of Sean Connary) "Sounds like a comprimise"

By the way Richard, I tried calling to ask you some other questions. First busy signal, then it goes to voicemail. I'd like to ask some questions if you're around the office today. I'll PM my number to you.

 

[liverock]

Email

Email

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11214193#post11214193 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bues0022
(in the voice of Sean Connary) "Sounds like a comprimise"

By the way Richard, I tried calling to ask you some other questions. First busy signal, then it goes to voicemail. I'd like to ask some questions if you're around the office today. I'll PM my number to you.

The phone only rings in the warehouse......email is the way to get hold of me!