Should I do a water change

I've never used the carribsea live sand, but it's supposedly pre-rinsed and cycled. I definitely wouldn't rinse it.

 

so i got my caribbean sea stuff today and got to taking the mature sand out of the tank. I've goten about 85-90 percent out of it but there's still some debris in there. Its getting to the point where it would take forever to get the stuff out. Can i just open the caribsea and bury the rest of the stuff under it? or would the y still keep decomposing. Its mostly little shells and and stuff. I would take a pic but my water is too cloudy after the sand

thanks!

 

You could try to siphon the stuff out first, but I'm sure it is getting hard to see. I would say that you can just bury it.

 

yeah i just checked my siphon has the tiniest tube ever- it would get clogged up very easily.I think I'll just bury them. very little sand left on the bottom now

 

I think you will be alright doing that. ;D How are you planning on adding the sand?

 

I lifted the bag into the aquarium, submerged it, and cut off the top with underwater. Then I flipped it upside down and pulled it out. Took 1 minute and super easy. New sand looks so much better!!

 

the water cleared up today... tested it and everything perfect except still those high nitrates!! I still have yet to do my first water change since starting the cycle, and since the nitrates will go down if I do a water change, will i be cycled? I'm confused...lol

thanks!

 

If you are getting a 0 reading for ammonia and nitrites and have nitrates only, then you are cycled my friend. Start enjoying! You can a water change to lower those nitrates like you said as well.

 

YESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks so much you guys are awesome! I probably would have been waiting forever for the other live sand and given up. What do you guys think are good starter fish? I was going to do clownfish...

 

Clownfish are hardy. I would stay away from damsels and dottybacks though. I would get something cheap, so a regular ocellaris clown fish would work. I always start cheap on fish and corals when starting out. I don't want an expensive fish dying on me lol.