New Tank - just added live sand!

I finally got my salt balanced and the water temp up so I went ahead and added my live sand! Well now my water is hazy which I expected but I wasn't sure if I need to keep the pump running or turn it off and let it settle on its own?

Once the sand settles, I'll probably start adding live rock this weekend! Would it be save to add maybe one shrimp or snail to learn during the cycling process?

 

shrimp no it will most likely die, you could add a snail or hermit if you wanted but i would just wait

 

Hey! Do you have your live rock now? I'd go ahead and add it while the tank is foggy. It might last a day, might last a few. Turn your powerheads off(It'll help the settling), keep filter and heater on. Put in the rock and throw in the piece of table shrimp(raw...the kind you eat). Don't turn your lights on and sit there and stare at it for the next 4-6 weeks LOL I would start testing after week 2. Check pH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. When ammonia gets back to 0, your cycle should be done. It'll go through all kinds of ugly stages, but you will be thankful if you wait the whole time before adding any inhabitants. Plus you'll save a ton of $$ in the long run!

 

Appreciate the help! I'm turning my filter back on now and following the rest of your instructions to a T besides the raw shrimp because I don't currently have any. I'm going to pick up some live rock tomorrow after work to start aquascaping. I'm also going to pick up the rest of the test materials that I'm missing! Once again this for the help!

 

no problem! others will chime in too with helpful advice! go to kroger/publix in the seafood market and ask to buy one peeled shrimp and drop it in. Get your rock in as soon as possible. If it is "Live" Rock it will help to get the cycle going. Patience is what you'll need after that, cause one month seems like a long time when you're stareing at a chunk of shrimp that is wasting away..in the dark lol

where ya at in ga? I'm south of augusta

 

Columbus, GA. I'm going to buy liverock after work today and start adding it ASAP. I noticed that my tank now has a white form at the top which I guessing is from the bacteria in the live sand? What should I do with it? Also everyone locally is sold out of light fixtures for a 55g tanks. Where is the best and most reliable place to order online?

 

For your Lighting ideas look at some of the sponsors links i have seen some good deals and steals..!!!

As far as you foam you have at the top of the tank some say to scoop it off and others say to leave it in .... What i did was pushed to my over flow and let the tank do its thing..!! You sand storm tank will look like that for a few day's clearing up slowly...

I think THe biggest advise is "BE PATIANT"
It will reward you Greatly in the long Runn..!!!



Good Luck..!!!

 

Good call. Getting advice fiirst K to you!!;D

 

Cool beans, yeah, you can leave that foam in or take it out. I say leave it in and let it do it's thing. Your other questions about lighting. PM Tangster on here. The co. he works for is a 3reef sponsor and he can get you what you need as far as lights go and at a pretty good price. There are many sites that sell aquarium supplies, but I won't list them since they aren't sponsors.
Here's the link to the sponsor's page. hope it helps. 3reef.com - Forums for coral reef aquariums, salt water fish, corals, inverts, protein skimmers, aquarium lighting and more - Sponsors