New tank water prep ?'s

dkh0331 · 04-30-2003, 09:46 AM

Finally finished up with my wife’s office and her honey-do lists and plumbed my 55 gal w/ 30 gal sump for my soon to be reef this past weekend. I filled up the tank with de-chlorinated tap water to check for leaks and had none.

Drained the tank and am currently “making” my RO/DI water now. I’ve added my 4.5”- 5” of Southdown into the tank.

Should I follow my past history of aerating my RO/DI water for 24 hrs, buffering, aerating for another 24 hours then mixing in the salt? Or should I follow another path in my water prep? Or am I over analyzing this?

My current plan, open for suggestions, is to fill the tank/sump with water and let the sand storm settle before I order my LR. I will be using LR to cycle the tank. I recently read about cycling the sand w/ shrimp before adding the LR. Any thoughts on that process?

TIA!!

David

***Reefland*** · 04-30-2003, 05:12 PM

If your adding this to a new tank, I don;t think you have to go to those extremes. Make up the saltwater from your RO/DI unit and add it right to the tank. Another option would be to add the RO/DI water to the tank and start the pumps. Once the pumps are started, add the salt directly to the tank until you reach your desired salinity and go from there. The sand storm may take a while to settle and may take longer if there is no bacteria present in the tank to bind the particles somewhat so you might want to just let it run for 5-7 days to let the most of it settle the go ahead and order your liverock.

Placing some raw shrimp in the tank will cycle it, but liverock is a better and quicker choice in my opinion. I would go with the rock, probably uncured and let the tank cycle with it.

Regards,
Scott Z.

dkh0331 · 05-01-2003, 05:29 AM

I was thinking that the aerating/buffering process may be overkill for a new tank start-up. It's how I prepared my water when my 30 FOWLR was running.

My plan is to use uncured LR to cylce the tank. I will pick-up some incense before I order the rock.

I read about the shrimp helping to kick start the DSB before. I think I will throw some in during the sand storm. It wouldn't hurt, would it?

Again, thanks Scott!!

David

04-30-2003, 09:46 AM	#1
dkh0331 Just Moved In Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kittanning, PA Posts: 26	New tank water prep ?'s Finally finished up with my wife’s office and her honey-do lists and plumbed my 55 gal w/ 30 gal sump for my soon to be reef this past weekend. I filled up the tank with de-chlorinated tap water to check for leaks and had none. Drained the tank and am currently “making” my RO/DI water now. I’ve added my 4.5”- 5” of Southdown into the tank. Should I follow my past history of aerating my RO/DI water for 24 hrs, buffering, aerating for another 24 hours then mixing in the salt? Or should I follow another path in my water prep? Or am I over analyzing this? My current plan, open for suggestions, is to fill the tank/sump with water and let the sand storm settle before I order my LR. I will be using LR to cycle the tank. I recently read about cycling the sand w/ shrimp before adding the LR. Any thoughts on that process? TIA!! David

04-30-2003, 05:12 PM	#2
*Reefland* Owner Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Bardstown, KY Posts: 13,031	Hi David! If your adding this to a new tank, I don;t think you have to go to those extremes. Make up the saltwater from your RO/DI unit and add it right to the tank. Another option would be to add the RO/DI water to the tank and start the pumps. Once the pumps are started, add the salt directly to the tank until you reach your desired salinity and go from there. The sand storm may take a while to settle and may take longer if there is no bacteria present in the tank to bind the particles somewhat so you might want to just let it run for 5-7 days to let the most of it settle the go ahead and order your liverock. Placing some raw shrimp in the tank will cycle it, but liverock is a better and quicker choice in my opinion. I would go with the rock, probably uncured and let the tank cycle with it. Regards, Scott Z.

05-01-2003, 05:29 AM	#3
dkh0331 Just Moved In Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kittanning, PA Posts: 26	Thanks Scott! I was thinking that the aerating/buffering process may be overkill for a new tank start-up. It's how I prepared my water when my 30 FOWLR was running. My plan is to use uncured LR to cylce the tank. I will pick-up some incense before I order the rock. I read about the shrimp helping to kick start the DSB before. I think I will throw some in during the sand storm. It wouldn't hurt, would it? Again, thanks Scott!! David

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