New LR/LS...

Hi all! I was asking on different threads and thought I would just start a new one here....

Here is the deal.....tomorrow I am going to get 85 pounds of LR (as long as it is decent) and a tank full of LS...

So far in my tank, I have salt water. Soooooo since I will not have any animals yet (with possible exception of a pair of peppermint shrimp for $10)....I need to feed the rocks and sand right? JohnO, you said flakes? anything else? What else do I need to do to maintain the life until I get animals?

This stuff is all coming from an existing 110 gallon reef tank that had a nice list of hard and soft corals...several fish, etc. It SHOULD be really fresh and I would like to keep it that way!!!

Also, because I made my salt with RO/DI water, the pH is 8 and the Alk is 3 meq/L ...so do I need to get that more in line first, or can I do that with the rock and sand in the tank?

Suggestions anyone?

 

BL,

You said on the other thread that you were considering including the shrimps straight away.

The biggest concern I have with mature rocks like the ones you describe is that they are an unknown quantity. You really need to examine the rocks VERY closely. Even though they will have the bacteria etc which will mean you can introduce animals more quickly, things like sponges , that could very quickly spoil the water will exist also.

My advice is to just be patient, include the rock, and I would just put in one or two pices of the best rock. Put the rest into a tub somewhere for later inclusion.

IMHO there is no need to use 100% 'live' rock, and in fact I think it is deleterious to do so.

Anyway, either some flake, or some fish meal, or something that can rot in the tank will help the cycle continue as it should.

John

 

Hi John!

Yes, I understand your point and can't say that I necessarily disagree. ;D The price however, is really good, and I could not even get dry base rock for much less ;D

Of couse, I have left the door open with this guy that if the rock is not satisfactory, I would not be taking it.

I am watching on the news these stupid reporters in Florida standing in the middle of a Hurricane and reporting on it.... ....stupid. just felt the need to comment on that. sorry.

 

Oh yeah....THANKS!!! ;D

 

John:

I have also bought a new RO/DO system and this will be coming next tuesday or wednesday. I also have a new tank that I willbe setting up when that unit gets here. I have ordered some of that Special reef grade carib sea sand. Is there anything to do different using RO/DI water when making new seawater. Outside of testing SG of course. Does this RO/DI process change anything
else? I will be testing PH, ALK, CAL, Phosphate,Nitrates and Nitrites.

Oh and thanks for the help when I was cycling my 30 gallon with the 45# LR. I was pretty stressed that week and you helped alot. I guess I was stressed for nothing.....If you just step back and let time do its magic the cycling and curing process took care of itself.

Birdlady let me know how you liked your rock when you get it. ;D : ;D :

Thanks
Jay

 

Hi Jay!

I noticed with my RO/DI that the pH and Alk were not high enough.....water was too soft. I am adding an Alk Buffer...NOT Kalk.

Check all numbers FIRST! My pH was 8 and my Alk was 3 meq/L.

I LOVE my new rock! Thanks for asking! I will post pics tomorrow. I got 85 pounds (with some rubble for sump) of Fiji Rock, All the LS in a 110 gal show tank, came with a good size brittle star, some small mushies, a polyp colony of some sort...and about 10 little hermits.....all for $200!!!!

That is pretty much all I need for my 60 gallon!

I am taking your advice JohnO!!! I did get the shrimp...keeping in a separate tank ;D I also got a dottyback....also in separate tank!

I will try to post pics tomorrow as I was playing around with the rock WITH GLOVES as I had cut my thumb pretty bad (not on the rock tho) and the water is a little cloudy!

 

BL,

Please don't be too careful Ya gotta have some fun and danger too you know

If the tank stays cloudy for much longer, try a cannister filter stuffed with some dacron. I did that and it worked really well. Make sure you wipe the inside of the glass too, as the particles cling to the glass and make it look cloudier than it really is

John

 

Hi John!

Well, I actually pumped out all my water, took out the new sand that was clouding the water....washed everything!!!

Then I added the LS I got today, then the water, then the rock. I was just moving the rocks around and it would get cloudy but cleared pretty quickly! Just didn't get pics today! Thanks!

What did you get at the LFS for Father's day???

 

BL,

Got pictures?

 

[quote author=birdlady link=board=Newbie;num=1094366048;start=0#7 date=09/05/04 at 18:29:24]  Just didn't get pics today! [/quote]

Craig,

Age does this to you

John