[SEAG]

Quick question...I am going to add 20lbs a LR to my tank tomorrow. I already have 26lbs. that has been in there for a week. Since I have to do some rearranging, should I also take the LR in the tank now out and rinse it off in saltwater, like the new LR,to get off any debris that has grown on it? Or leave it alone?
Sean

[Sueet]

Originally Posted by SEAG

Quick question...I am going to add 20lbs a LR to my tank tomorrow. I already have 26lbs. that has been in there for a week. Since I have to do some rearranging, should I also take the LR in the tank now out and rinse it off in saltwater, like the new LR,to get off any debris that has grown on it? Or leave it alone?
Sean

Debris doesn't grow

But.. I assume your rock is uncured? You could rinse it a little if there is alot of loose dead material hanging on it. If there isn't, I would say leave it alone, no need to disturb the developing bacterial colonies without reason.

[SEAG]

Originally Posted by Sueet

Debris doesn't grow

But.. I assume your rock is uncured? You could rinse it a little if there is alot of loose dead material hanging on it. If there isn't, I would say leave it alone, no need to disturb the developing bacterial colonies without reason.

It is cured...there is some "stuff" that is falling off of the rock and on to the substrate. Kind of like green scabs...haha. I will have to disturb them b/c of adding new rock and rearranging, but when I vacuum the gravel, I guess I can leane the flakes in there and leave them on the rock...I just want to keep a crystal clear tank..so far so good....

Can't wait to add fish!! Once the ammonia, nitrate and nitrite levels drop to zero...do I have to add Damsels or can I just start with the cowns I want..I don't really want damsels...
Thanks!!
Sean

[Reefland]

What kind of "gravel" are you using? Depending on your reply this might be a good time to remove it too.

[Sueet]

Originally Posted by SEAG

do I have to add Damsels or can I just start with the cowns I want..I don't really want damsels...

No, Damsels SUCK! They're mean nasty territorial lil *insert expletive here*'s ..... Once your tank is cycled properly, you can add the fish you want... assuming of course that you have researched them and that they will co-exist ok

Oh, and ..... by 'disturbing the bacterial colonies' I meant basically rinsing them off... You would still have some (unless you scrubbed hard) but best not to lose any at this point, since you're trying to build them up ..... And moving your rocks around won't hurt them at all, unless you remove the rocks from the water for more than a few moments at a time.

[cesar]

Sueet you seem to know alot about aquarium keeping so I have a question? When they say that you can rinse the LR in saltwater to remove unwanted things, what happens if you rinse it through regular tap water or RO H2O for that matter? Does it affect the tank after you place it in again?

[Sueet]

Originally Posted by cesar

Sueet you seem to know alot about aquarium keeping so I have a question? When they say that you can rinse the LR in saltwater to remove unwanted things, what happens if you rinse it through regular tap water or RO H2O for that matter? Does it affect the tank after you place it in again?

I don't know that I know alot, quite frankly I'm just an opinionated B**** that reads alot...

But anyway, if you rinse it in regular water, chances are it won't be very live after you're done.... The chemicals in tapwater are very toxic to most fishes and inverts. If your concern is one of 'wasting' the salt, you would be better off making a smaller container and dipping side by side to brush off unwanteds than you would be to rinse it in tap. It wont hurt anything on the rock to be in the air for a few, except for sponges, which die on contact with air usually. But those usually will also regrow from the tiniest cell left on the rock, so I wouldn't worry too much about them.

I would definitely recommend you consider getting some sort of filter for your water as well, if you don't already have one (Reverse Osmosis R/O, or Reverse Osmosis/DeIonizer RO/DI) ... In the long run it will save you alot of maintenance and health issues with your animals. Plus you have the added benefit of not having to add any chemicals to dechlorinate before you mix your salt.

[Reefer769]

hey Sueet, i just buy pure water in gallons from wallmart, but im kind of getting tired of going to walmart to get water every other week, so im planning on buying a ro/di filter. i was just wondering if i just bought a RO filter would the water quality be good enough for the aquarium, or should i get both RO/DI?

what do you think about this unit:
HB Water RO75DI system

[Reefer769]

or better yet, what about this model:

Kent Marine (model # Maxxima 50 or "MAX50")

[Sueet]

Originally Posted by Reefer769

or better yet, what about this model:

Kent Marine (model # Maxxima 50 or "MAX50")

Don't know about the first one, it would be ok I guess, depends on your needs and the price..... This one tho, for the price, you could get a 6-stage ro/di 100gpd unit, and still have money to spare... Check out Ebay, there's a seller called filterdirect, very good product, good prices, good service... Can't ask for much more than that

[Reefer769]

i found that kent marine model on ebay for 50$

[Sueet]

Originally Posted by Reefer769

i found that kent marine model on ebay for 50$

Starting bid, or buy it now? lol, it probably won't stay at $50 for long.

Oh... and if it is used... it isn't worth it anyway, cuz you're going to have to replace the cartridges and membranes to be sure of getting good quality water.

[Reefer769]

yea actually it is the starting bid and it says it is brand new.

[cesar]

By the way Sueet, is there a special web page where you read all the information that you know or do you read books? If you read web pages, which one's?

[Reefland]

WOW, this thread has jumped in a couple of different directions. I would like to get back to SEAG and ask again about the "gravel" mentioned in the post.

If you are using any large particle substrate, your asking for trouble. The size allows for detritus to fall into the bed and there is no way to remove it other than vacuuming it. Vacuuming it removes the waste, but disturbs the bed and disrupts what little processing capacity it has, so your best off not using any crushed coral or "gravel" period. If it isn't too late, I would suggest removing it.

[SEAG]

Originally Posted by Reefland

WOW, this thread has jumped in a couple of different directions. I would like to get back to SEAG and ask again about the "gravel" mentioned in the post.

If you are using any large particle substrate, your asking for trouble. The size allows for detritus to fall into the bed and there is no way to remove it other than vacuuming it. Vacuuming it removes the waste, but disturbs the bed and disrupts what little processing capacity it has, so your best off not using any crushed coral or "gravel" period. If it isn't too late, I would suggest removing it.

No...actually...It is sand and I mixed in some Florida crushed corel to help with the pH but it is about 80-90% sand...is that okay to use?
Sean

[Sueet]

Originally Posted by cesar

By the way Sueet, is there a special web page where you read all the information that you know or do you read books? If you read web pages, which one's?

Not one in particular no.. wetwebmedia.com is one of my favs, but really I don't tend to trust any particular info until I've seen it in many places. I like knowing the info has value to more than just the author. Google is a fantastic place to start, for finding info online... As for books, I have only a few so far, my favorite being (and I've been told this one is a 'necessity') "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" by Robert Fenner ... It is a great all around beginners guide I think. He has another book out that I am getting soon, Reef Invertebrates.. It's also supposed to be very good. I am certain there are tons more books available, and I'm just as sure they're good... But they are pricey. You can check the Book Store link up at the top of this site, I'm willing to bet they have all the lastest, greatest listed in there

Oh..SEAG..... Scott is right about that large particle substrate... My first tank (which came with all the ... everything) has the aragonite gravel substrate... and .... I hate it! I'm 'Finally' (knock on wood) getting rid of my hair algae problem that started in June in that tank... I know the heat really boosted it too, but the substrate fed it and kept the fire goin! When I take this tank apart to move it downstairs, that large gravel substrate is gonna become history! (the worms don't even like it, they stay in the rocks!)