queenangel1 Posted July 7, 2005 Share Posted July 7, 2005 Hi , newbie here, just set up a 4 feet tank with LR in liao. measured the nitrite level using tetra test kit, but it shows pink/red color. how long will the nitrite level drops ! as me eager to add stock. many tanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member framerunner Posted July 7, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted July 7, 2005 never used tetra test kit b4. The ANN cycle depends, i cycled my 3ft for 4-6 weeks with nothing inside except for LR. How long u have run ur tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member ciaolong Posted July 7, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted July 7, 2005 reef is all about patience cycle can take from a few weeks to a few months i say just give it time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
queenangel1 Posted July 7, 2005 Author Share Posted July 7, 2005 hi , 3 weeks so far . my set up: - 4x2.5x2.5 -beckette skimmer -6 x t5 54w -1/2 hp chiller -100kg live rocks from reborn -five inch depth grade zero sand - calcium reactor have not set up yet. -tunze 6060 all advise copied from friend. best regards, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kotobuki Posted July 7, 2005 Share Posted July 7, 2005 Well you can throw in a few small piece of market prawn. Let them rot inside to speed up the process. Some micro algae in your refugium will help too. You got all the good stuff Wish I got the $$ to own them... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member weishun Posted July 7, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted July 7, 2005 When you start a saltwater tank, its best to wait for at least 31 days before adding livestocks. As for myself, i will use market prawns to kick start the cycle. After 31 or more days, use a good test kit to test your water perimeters. The other key to a successful reef tank, Patience. Don't be too eager to add livestocks. Just my 2cents worth. Hope this helps. Quote My 4 Footer Reef My Old 4FT Tank My Old 3FT Tank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
queenangel1 Posted July 8, 2005 Author Share Posted July 8, 2005 Thank you all for the advice, I don't know whether it is a mistake to get into this hobby. cos: -$ keep buying equipment -time consuming - girl friend start to get piss liao - etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member framerunner Posted July 8, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted July 8, 2005 nevermind, if u decide to sell your equipment.. i want.... You are only starting to spend $$...... you will need to spend at least 500-700+ on corals to fill up that tank of yours....plus other life stocks such as cleaner shrimps, AT, etc. Cab fare or petrol for those multiple trips to farms, lck, LFS.......Not to mention your monthly electrical bills..... Anyway, u can always involve your gf when shopping for corals, fishes... she get interested after a while Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member zephyros Posted July 8, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted July 8, 2005 use a good test kit to test your water perimeters. bros, what's a good test kit for nitrate? I'm using tetra too and the color chart reading is in interval of 12.5 .... cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smyee Posted July 8, 2005 Share Posted July 8, 2005 problem bro, this is just the beginning (tank still cycling), gf already pissed off, wait till you spend hours in front of tank, either one must give in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member framerunner Posted July 8, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted July 8, 2005 worse come to worse, tell her you lack a mermaid and she can jump in the tank for you to admire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member subxero Posted July 8, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted July 8, 2005 worse come to worse, tell her you lack a mermaid and she can jump in the tank for you to admire ha ha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member hotlemond Posted July 9, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted July 9, 2005 problem bro, this is just the beginning (tank still cycling), gf already pissed off, wait till you spend hours in front of tank, either one must give in gf piss off liao?? .... no worries, this will help encourage queenangel1 to endure and hold on there... http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-07/tt/index.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gOTHIKa Posted July 9, 2005 Share Posted July 9, 2005 at least 2 weeks i must say. i cycled my 4ft tank without LR for 2wks(saving up for LR ) and 2wks with LR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member weishun Posted July 9, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted July 9, 2005 bros, what's a good test kit for nitrate? I'm using tetra too and the color chart reading is in interval of 12.5 .... cheers Salifert testkits will do the job just fine. Quote My 4 Footer Reef My Old 4FT Tank My Old 3FT Tank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oshkosh Posted July 9, 2005 Share Posted July 9, 2005 My fastest record for a 2.5 ft tank was 1.5 weeks. Shifting house then and did not have much time to start up the new tank. Nothing died from that move. Try to get an accurate reading with your test kit. If >80 you wait. If you are ready to cut some corners, your tank can actually begin to receive some hardy fishes like damsels/chromis. Generally these fishes can take nitrates of >40. Over time if you acclimatise your fishes, most fishes can survive in a high nitrate environment. I have tried this out on my blue tang and mandarin (unintentionally of course). Make sure that Ammonia and nitrites are low though. Get your nitrates to <20 before adding corals, they should survive in the short term but growth will be affected by the nitrate levels. Choose only hardy specimens. Don't try out with those requiring perfect water conditions. You can read up on them at www.liveaquaria.com In the meantime, try to achieve perfect water conditions. Happy reefing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Alvin Tan Posted July 10, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted July 10, 2005 Well you can throw in a few small piece of market prawn. Let them rot inside to speed up the process. Some micro algae in your refugium will help too. You got all the good stuff Wish I got the $$ to own them... can introduce bacteria also to speed up the cycling process.. Quote view my 2ft tank thread update here!! http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=36399 Tank Dimension: 24'x15'x19' with black silicon. All round 8mm. Equipments: Return Pump : Hailea HX6540 Skimmer/Chiller : Sicce 2500lph Skimmer : Weipro 2011 Lightings: 4xT5s HO..2 20,000k & 2 Blue Pro(Aquaz) Retrofits Chiller : Resun CL280 Auto Water Top Up Life Stock: More then 35kg of figi rocks Blue Tang, Powder Blue Tang, Bristletooth tang, Clown Tang, Yellow Tang, Purple Tang, Flame Angel, Six Line Wrasse, Sunrise Dottyback. 2 Cleaner Shrimp Green Bubble, Orange Yuma, Hammer, True Octopus, Acans, Frogspawn, Green/Orange Cyannaria, Red Prata, Red Open Brain, Star Polyp, Acan Enchinata Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member nemo72 Posted July 10, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted July 10, 2005 Thank you all for the advice, I don't know whether it is a mistake to get into this hobby. cos: -$ keep buying equipment -time consuming - girl friend start to get piss liao - etc When you have a complete setup. She love you more.... Its a total stree relieve by viewing your tank. You have quite expensive stuff huh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member nemo72 Posted July 10, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted July 10, 2005 Hi , newbie here, just set up a 4 feet tank with LR in liao. measured the nitrite level using tetra test kit, but it shows pink/red color. how long will the nitrite level drops ! as me eager to add stock. many tanks Go buy a bottle of nifrifying bacteria. I used Tropical Science Nitromax Marine. I got my tank running in 28 days. Patience is the name bro.. Welcome to the world of reefing=Spending lots of money. Hee.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member subxero Posted July 10, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted July 10, 2005 I just fritz #9.. and I introduce 1st fish after 7 days... although the bottle state just 3 days and the cycle should be completed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member AREA51 Posted July 18, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted July 18, 2005 I just fritz #9.. and I introduce 1st fish after 7 days... although the bottle state just 3 days and the cycle should be completed. hey bro, im using same brand of nitrifying bacteria when u add the nitrifying bacteria? after adding liverock? fish added within' 7 days!?! thats fast! but im not really willing to risk that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanewbie Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 Bro, My setup is 4ftx1.5ftx2.5ft...i let it run for 2mths. I put some damsels to quicken the process. Its a bit cruel to do this as they lead a life of stress during the process..but all of them manage to live to date...my 2 cents worth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member gods_angel77 Posted July 18, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted July 18, 2005 Longer The better best is start to stock up after 6 monhts if you can wait if not 1 month is should be enough just ensure that yr no2 & nh4 is 0 before u start to stock up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member AREA51 Posted July 18, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted July 18, 2005 Longer The better best is start to stock up after 6 monhts if you can wait if not 1 month is should be enough just ensure that yr no2 & nh4 is 0 before u start to stock up. 6mths?!? i doubt many of us have no such patience to wait for 6mths to add fish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick77 Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 hey bro, im using same brand of nitrifying bacteria when u add the nitrifying bacteria? after adding liverock? fish added within' 7 days!?! thats fast! but im not really willing to risk that I also added fritzyme #9... After cycling water with live rocks inside for 7 days and the Ammonia and nitrite still high, impatient liao then go buy 1 bottle... added in already, 4 to 5 days later, Ammonia and Nitrite both drop to 0... I was very surprised also but it happened. I added 2 false clowns and 1 hermit crab day after i added fritzyme #9... Jus to let u know my exp but i believe everyone has their own opinions and may exp different things even if using same steps... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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