Pls Advise

[derrickyeo]

Hi,

Im preparing to start a 3 ft marine aquarium after months of reading, before i start, i like to post my startup steps to get some more expertise advise.. pls feel free to comment and advise as i do not want a crash down.. thanks brudders..

1) put in the crushed corals to abt 2.5 to 3 inches high.

2) put in the filter. ( Im not using the overflow as my system do not allow, im using those box kind that ppl put in the corner of the tanks. I had check with various shop and all say yes.)

3) Put in aged water, anti- chlorine, chloromine and salt, and a power head.

4) put in live rocks...and protein skimmer.

5) if the saltyness is rite, i may put in a shrimp and 2 damsels, correct?

Then i let the water cycle for about 5 days...

after that, i will test the water parameters again, by testing the saltyness, PH, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, correct?

if everything is ok, i will let the tank cycle for about 3 wks......

after that, i will check all the parameters again, correct? if all is ok, and ammonia, nitrate, nitrite is 0, then i can stay putting in some corals and fish, rite?

After all that reading, i think this is wat i have absorded.. can any experts here pls guide me if what im going to do is rite? if not pls advise which steps i have done wrong... thanks a million.

[Terryz_]

Check the water para every 3-5 days... when all the water para is 0... make a 2/3 water change den can add livestock... Complete cycling process will tak abt 4 -6 weeks...

[bwilly]

my dear fren.. u did a double post.

check below for some answers..

http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/index.php?...t=0entry43101

I thou for a moment deja vu..

can go buy 4D later, see I can deja vu morrow no..

try to keep to one thread if possible..

[Terryz_]

nid to put sand not onli crushed coral... the LR is after 1 week den put.... although can put damsel but is best put shrimp first... pH after the water change den check... nitrate dun check oso can...

[bwilly]

I will just add my method of cycling.

* add sands washed

* add water mixed with salt (check salinity level)

* let water run for a day

* 2nd day, add LRs, landscape nicely

* add prawn meat, let it rot, till almost gone

* k, check water parameters - Ammonia - 0, Nitrite - 0, Nitrate less than 25

* k, slowly add fish. for start just add 1

* get garlic solution to boost new fish

tat's abt it.

Remember the inital stage, your bacteria in your tank.

If u add 1st fish, your bacteria will slowly accumulate

to cope with the ammonia. When u add another fish,

its like another 100% increase in ammonia load. So

don't try adding too fast. (eg. 3-4fishes, that's like

4-500% sudden change)

Like they always like to says, patience.. I know damn hard.