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03-19-2008, 05:35 AM
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#1 (permalink)
| | Plankton
Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Jersey Age: 27
Posts: 23
Karma: 1
 |  cyclling and water changes
All, just trying to get a handle on all this new stuff, far diff than anything I've delt with for cichlids. Anyway, my tank is set up and cycling right now but as far as water changes ar they anymore difficult than freshwater? I plan using RO water with a Ph buffer then adding it to the tank, I have carib sand and crushed live substrate and don't really know the best way to clean that without my siphon sucking up all the sand, I was thinking of stopping all the filters, stirring it up and using the siphon to remove any large debris. Just let me know what you guys think would be best for water changes and substrate cleaning....thanks again, I'm new but if I can help with anything just let me know....peace! | 
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03-19-2008, 06:04 AM
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#2 (permalink)
| | Clown Trigger
Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: joliet,il Age: 41
Posts: 2,000
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leave the freshwater way of thinking behind you.
ive never siphoned my sand, whatever you do dont stir it up, there is a biological function 7 layers deep that will wipe out your tank.
just mix water with salt for water changes. get it the same salinity and temp, and thats it. i use instant ocean. | |
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03-19-2008, 06:13 AM
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#3 (permalink)
| | Giant Squid
Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Meriden, Connecticut Age: 44
Posts: 4,023
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Don't perform any water changes while the tank is cycling first of all!
As for the substrate, like reef guru mentioned, it isn't adviseable or necessary to stir up or sunction out detritus from your benthic region of the tank.
When you suction the substrate, you are removing a plethora of beneficial microscopic organisms, polychaete worms, crustaceans and other beneficial food sources and bacteria essential to your overall symmetry and tanks success.
By incorporating some sand sifters/aerators such as Conch snails, Sea Stars and Sea Cucumbers you will be able to stir up and aerate the benthic region of your tank. Periodically, it is fine to use your hand or other device to GENTLY stir up the substrate. _________ 125gal.w/Mag9.5 return(dual megaflow)>Mag7 pump Aqua Cev180skimmer.Wave2k Hamilton Reefstar(2)250watthqi(mh)pend.a Yellow, Naso Tang Red Lip Blenny Percula Clown Demoiselles Niger Trigger F. Wrasses Cerianthid Stars Hermits snails Zoos shrooms Montipora Brains Gorgonians Favia Turbinaria Kenyon Tree Acropora Xenia Tridacna (CroceaMaximaSquamosa)
"IF THE PHONE DOESN'T RING...IT'S ME"  jb
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03-19-2008, 06:47 AM
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#4 (permalink)
| | Montipora Digitata
Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Columbus, Indiana Age: 24
Posts: 1,088
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Do a search on "cleanup crew" and research ALOT. That's one of the main reasons I started SW, if you get everything well balanced, no "major" cleaning by you will be required. _________ 55 gallon reef aquarium, 85 lbs. live rock, 2 1/2" sandbed, False Percula Clown & Foxface, Tetratec PF500 filter, 2 110 watt URI Super Actinic VHO actinics, 2 250 watt metal halides with Reef Optix 2 reflectors powered by Blue Wave 3 ballast Born 1/3/08 My Tank Thread My Tank Video
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] | |
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03-19-2008, 12:33 PM
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#5 (permalink)
| | Montipora Digitata
Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Montreal, Canada
Posts: 1,062
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Quote:
Originally Posted by reef_guru  leave the freshwater way of thinking behind you.
ive never siphoned my sand, whatever you do dont stir it up, there is a biological function 7 layers deep that will wipe out your tank.
just mix water with salt for water changes. get it the same salinity and temp, and thats it. i use instant ocean. | +1 on that!
Leave the sand alone. | |
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