Am I diving in with a belly flop? Please help...

Podrelease · 05-02-2006, 01:21 PM

Firstly, I apologise if my questions seem a little dim

, I guess everything is a learning process and Im glad I have no inhabitants yet.

I do not own a RO filter, so I decided to use a Brita Filter to hopefully reduce some negative content from my tap water on my 27g tank. I mixed Tropic Marin with this to match my water volume. So far thats all I've done (I know the Brita filter is knowhere near ideal but the alternative was the processed water straight from the tap and I used 4 new cannisters so hopefully its had some sort of effect).

Conducted a few searches but cant seem to get the right answers (close though) so I was hoping I could get some feedback.

Did I need to use a water conditioner/dechlorinator prior to mixing the salt in the tank? If I do this now, will it effect / inbalance the Tropic Marin contect?

I've ordered 30lbs of Aragonite marine substrate - but it wont be delivered for another week, shall I start the cycling process with the cannister filter with only the water in the tank or should I hold off until I get delivery and attach a skimmer?

Thanks in advance for any opinions and answers. I think this is just the start queries

, but hopefully I'll be able to find most of the answers in other threads

Cheers.

Brandon1023 · 05-02-2006, 01:30 PM

I usually add dechlorinator before mixing salt, but I can't imagine it would make any difference. Do you have your cannister filter running now? Might as well run it until your substrate arrives. You could start the cycle by simply adding an uncooked raw shrimp into the water. Also, check some of your LFSs. They most likely sell RO/DI water, both fresh and saltwater.

serotonin · 05-02-2006, 01:32 PM

It's not necessary to have your aragonite, but it would be best I think. What I would do is add some food to your tank and remove it after a few days(vacume it off the bottom of the glass) and repeat this every few days until you get your substrate. I believe this will help start the break in process somewhat. You could also aclimate some molys to your salt water environment to help start yoru cycle. They are relatively cheap and can stand up to salt water according to a person at my LFS, though I have not confirmed this myself. Make sure to take your time with letting the tank cycle fully also.

as for the declorinater, as long as you add it before the water goes in the tank you should be fine. i also add mine before salt by force of habit.

Podrelease · 05-02-2006, 03:03 PM

Going to go ahead and start the cannister filter now. Tried looking for pure ammonia today to try the fishless cycle - impossible to find, tried hardware stores and ten or so chemists (uk). Thanks for the info on the black mollies - I'll research as a definite option, but I'd prefer the fishless cycle.

Thanks, really appreciate the input.

Jason McKenzie · 05-02-2006, 03:20 PM

With out substrate or live rock. You aren't really cycling anything. Water does not hold anything to cycle.
Sorry Podrelease I know your asking great questions, I'm just questioning the advise that is being given.
Come on guys there is no cycle with water.

As for the water. there is no need to condition your water if you plan on having it sit for a week or 2, but I would do it in the future before you add the salt

J

Brandon1023 · 05-02-2006, 03:43 PM

But if his cannister filter has biological media, wont that grow the bacteria for the cycle? Even without substrate or rock?

Bruce · 05-02-2006, 03:46 PM

Just got home. Im gona agree with J here ^^. With no rocks or sand there will where for bacteria to grow. Hmm well...unless your filter has some sort of bio ball/bail material...but even then I dont think much will happen.

Jason McKenzie · 05-02-2006, 03:59 PM

a canister filter will grow biological material but when LR is added the cycle will begin all over again. There is little benefit to a canister filter if LR is to be used.

If no LR is to be added and all that is being run is the canister filter then your good to go. I would suggest removing all the canister filter media and filling it with bio-balls or something like that.

J

coral reefer · 05-02-2006, 05:34 PM

I would place some aragonite or even some live rock in your tank. The living rock will aid in the cycling of your tank. You can add some nitrobacter or similar bacteria to help speen up the cycling porcess. Go to your local pet shop and have them give you a few scoops of live sand from an established tank. I'm sure they will help you as you will probably be buying alot from them in the future. With the live rock in your tank it might be enough for you to get the cycle started due to some die off.
Skip the cannister filter for now as you really don't have anything of significance right now to produe significant bacteria. If you want to go the route of using Damsels, you could but they are hard to remove if you don't plan on keeping them long term. Yes shrimp from your local supermarket will work as well.
You can use a dechlorinator etc., however as your water sits and circulates, iI believe your water will condition itself.
Just go slow ad read, read, read! Make your life much easier and you will be pleased with the outcome of your new tank. Remember these are living things-they depend on your actions/knowledge for their survival...
I hope this helps alittle!any other questions-feel free to ask us!