Is this tank cycled.

why would they say that? i was under the assumption, it prolongs cycles by doing that. it doesnt allow the water to clean up by itself as should happen. i dunno. lol

 

No, you're right. You only want to do a WC when the cycle is complete. You WANT the water to get funky. The funkier it gets during the cycle, the more of a bacterial army you'll have.

To the OP: I'm noticing you're on the low side of salinity. Be careful with that when you have livestock.

 

When I purchased the tank, I also purchased this hydrometer http://pet.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pPETS-3757459dt.jpg and to keep the salinity within the range that's on it. Middle of the range is 1.022 so I tried to get as close as I could to it.

 

i would personally shoot for 1.023-1.024... but thats just me. also, cant you just take the 8g and put it at your place? that would be much easier, but again just my opinion good luck to you and your buddy

 

I'd highly recommend getting a refractometer. You can find them for under $40 and they're very accurate. I can't even begin to tell you how off some of those hydrometers can be.

I keep my salt at 1.026 but that's just me. I'd suggest at least getting it in to the range that patrick824 suggested.

 

yeah, different salinities work for different tanks but IMO 1.022 is too low, i keep mine at 1.024-1.025

 

I used to have that same Hydrometer... I hated it... I learned not to trust the reading on it and I would go by taste... sounds stupid, I know, but you'd be amazed at how sensitive your taste buds are... I would measure the SG with the refractometer then taste it, go over to the mixing bucket then tasted it till they were about the same...

 

be careful dont want to dehydrate yourself..

 

So I just got off the phone with my friend and it looks like his livestock is going into my tank tonight. Cross your fingers! I'll post pics when everything is in a situated.

 

Not trying to highjack this thread, but where or what kind of refractometer?