[quote=“bnelson, post:239, topic:5327”]
Do you got enough sand in there A… hahaha[/quote]
That’s only 5-6" of sand. What’s a DSB without all that sand. LOL
[quote=“kaptken, post:240, topic:5327”]
Oh, what kinda sand are you using? fine aragonite for a semi deep bed? you could add a bottle of Instant Ocean Bio-Spira too to jump start it. [/quote]
Those are oolith and mix with aragonite reef floor. I have some Seachem Stability that I’m using. I always have good result with this stuff.
Congrats A
Glad to see your back up and running
[quote=“billrob71, post:242, topic:5327”]
Congrats A
Glad to see your back up and running[/quote]
Thanks Bill. Looking forward to it.
[quote=“billrob71, post:242, topic:5327”]
Congrats A
Glad to see your back up and running[/quote]
Whoa who is this guy?^^^^^^^^^^???
Got a whole gallon of Seachem Stability today. Let the cycling begins!
So, I’m on my 3rd day of cycling the tank with Seachem Stability and I what to try the raw shrimp route with it. When do I add the shrimp? The seachem said that I can start adding animals after the 7th day of treatment, but I usually start adding after about 2 weeks after the initial treatment just to be sure. Of course I test the water before I add anything to the tank.
Todd said to use a mesh bag full of shrimp. Does it have to be a bag full? or will 1 or 2 pieces work? how long do I leave it in there? till it dissolves? I will be checking the water parameter every other day to ensure that the spike will be lowering or go away.
Any one with this experience?
I filled my tank and put fish in it the same day! I still have those dam damzels!
I’ve done the shrimp thing on fresh water tank. Left them in until I got elevated amonia readings on the test kits. Removed then waited until all the tests went back to normal then added fish. Never had an issue. I would think the bigger the tank the more shrimp. I did it on a 125 gal and used 5 large shrimp.
[quote=“beadlocked450r, post:247, topic:5327”]
I filled my tank and put fish in it the same day! I still have those dam damzels![/quote]
LOL, and that’s why I’m not doing damsel. Them devil fish!
[quote=“ballen0351, post:248, topic:5327”]
I’ve done the shrimp thing on fresh water tank. Left them in until I got elevated amonia readings on the test kits. Removed then waited until all the tests went back to normal then added fish. Never had an issue. I would think the bigger the tank the more shrimp. I did it on a 125 gal and used 5 large shrimp. [/quote]
When do I add the shrimp? now or after 7th day seachem treatment?
Add some IO Bio Spira bacteria. Its the reall stuff that grows the slime film bacteria on all surfaces in the tank. It is patented.
Yeah, the Bio Spira is supposed to be good stuff too, I’ve never tried it though.
I add the shrimp as soon as the water gets to the right temperature so it will start rotting quickly.
I recommend a mesh bag because I didn’t do it, and every time I cycle a tank, I always kick myself in the butt for not putting them in a mesh bag. Once the shrimp start rotting they turn into a mush pretty quickly and there’s nothing nastier than trying to pull rotted shrimp from a sump that just keep falling apart on you. Plus - it totally stinks. With the bag, you just pull the bag and throw the whole thing in the trash.
Now - all that said - I couldn’t get my shrimp out of the 90 so I was the lazy reefer and just had particles of nasty shrimp everywhere. Worked out fine though, the bacteria load catches up to it and consumes it all anyway over time and at the beginning, I didn’t really care.
Blue chromis! Only damsel I would ever buy again!
I’m guessing the cycling has started. I’ve add some shrimp in a mesh bag on the 20th Wednesday, 2 days ago. The water kinda cloudy and smelly.
I’m testing for Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate only. All of these reading are in the lower scales so far. Not sure how high it will spike, hope it will not take too long.
I’ve never done it this way before. Usually I just do the Stability cycle and start adding the animals a little at a time.
Ammonia: .50
Nitrite: .25
Nitrate: 5-10
Ahhh the smell of a newly cycling tank. I don’t miss it.
I’d just leave the shrimp in there for a week or so, then pull it out. Keep dosing the Stability and then I just wait till the diatoms show up.
Thanks Todd, I’ll do that. How high does it usually spike. I know that there’s no specific number, but will it go off the chart or stay in the chart and start to lower once the bacteria builds up?
A, i think its about time for some full operational pics homie. :BEER
[quote=“BigCase, post:256, topic:5327”]
A, i think its about time for some full operational pics homie. :BEER[/quote]
PBJ! Let’s see more pics!
Yea, it has been a while. I’m off tomorrow, so I’ll get some pics up.
Def wanna see some pics.
[quote=“reefman66, post:255, topic:5327”]
Thanks Todd, I’ll do that. How high does it usually spike. I know that there’s no specific number, but will it go off the chart or stay in the chart and start to lower once the bacteria builds up?[/quote]
Using an API kit, I only remember the ammonia getting about halfway up on their chart. I never checked for nitrites or nitrates, just waited for the diatom bloom.