Live Sand to start a Cycle

Discussion in 'Sand' started by crustytheclown, Sep 28, 2009.

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  1. crustytheclown

    crustytheclown Eyelash Blennie

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    Is live sand enough to start a cycle in a new 29 gallon tank??? Could i though a piece of frozen mysis shrimp in there to be sure its kickstarted????
     
    crustytheclown, Sep 28, 2009
    crustytheclown, Sep 28, 2009
    #1

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  2. oceanparadise1

    oceanparadise1 Fire Squid

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    You could do the mysis, you could pee in your tank, get some sand from another reefer or just use a raw shrimp from the grocery store
     
    oceanparadise1, Sep 28, 2009
    oceanparadise1, Sep 28, 2009
    #2
  3. crustytheclown

    crustytheclown Eyelash Blennie

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    cool thanks. i might try all of them
     
    crustytheclown, Sep 28, 2009
    crustytheclown, Sep 28, 2009
    #3
  4. Daniel072

    Daniel072 Giant Squid

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    don't worry about he live sand. it is a hoax if you ask me. The sand may be live when they bag it but think about how long that stuff stays on the shelf. Do you think the bacteria and microfauna are going to live for that long without being oxygenated in any way not to mention incosistant temperatures
     
    Daniel072, Sep 28, 2009
    Daniel072, Sep 28, 2009
    #4
  5. NEW REEFER

    NEW REEFER Fire Worm

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    Put a damsel in the tank to help the cycle, at least you have something to watch....
     
    NEW REEFER, Sep 29, 2009
    NEW REEFER, Sep 29, 2009
    #5
  6. swagger87

    swagger87 Zoanthid

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    PEE IN THE TANK? :confused:
    No one else caught that?
    Lmao. :biglaugh:

    I agree with Daniel, the bacteria on the so called live sand couldn't possibly live too long in those bags. If you can buy a cup of sand from a LFS or a friend (Straight from the tank) it would be better.
     
    swagger87, Sep 29, 2009
    swagger87, Sep 29, 2009
    #6

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  7. Beaun

    Beaun Fire Shrimp

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    Don't buy a damsel for the cycle, just use a piece of shrimp. If you are going to use a fish to cycle. Use something other than a damsel, like a gramma or something hardy, but not shipped by the thousands.
     
    Beaun, Sep 29, 2009
    Beaun, Sep 29, 2009
    #7
  8. horkn

    horkn Giant Squid

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    Please skip the bagged LS. See if you can borrow or trade for a cup of real LS from an existing reef tank.
     
    horkn, Sep 29, 2009
    horkn, Sep 29, 2009
    #8
  9. crustytheclown

    crustytheclown Eyelash Blennie

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    ok so i threw in a frozen piece of mini mysis and a cup of sand from an established tank. When should i test my levels???
     
    crustytheclown, Sep 29, 2009
    crustytheclown, Sep 29, 2009
    #9
  10. Daniel072

    Daniel072 Giant Squid

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    give it a week or two and then test. Which sand did you go with
     
    Daniel072, Sep 29, 2009
    Daniel072, Sep 29, 2009
    #10
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