[kgeorge]

bguile thanks for the kind words.... I am using a skimmer, those pics were taken moments after I started the water. The skimmer is in it now and running. Reefland, the bubbles were non-existant with freshwater but now with saltwater they are there a little. I found that a filter pad on the top of the last baffel stops them completely. If it were to clog up it can easily push itself out and the flow continue. (it's just pushed in).

Now, do I need some snails in there soon or wait till everything clears to zero??

[bguile]

Wait till Ammonia and Nitrites are zero and Nitrate below 100

[kgeorge]

How long will this take? Will it still take about a month even though the rock is cured and I put in a bag a live sand from the local pet shop?

[kgeorge]

I just couldn't bring myself to urinate in my tank so I got some pure ammonia and put a small amount in. It is now up to 1.5 to 2.0 ppm. Is that high enough to get the cycle started?

[bguile]

Originally Posted by kgeorge

I just couldn't bring myself to urinate in my tank so I got some pure ammonia and put a small amount in. It is now up to 1.5 to 2.0 ppm. Is that high enough to get the cycle started?

Wow...didn't think that was necessary since you had "cured" rock in the tank but one thing's for sure that it ain't so "cured" now. It would've been best to leave it be for a week or two and see if the ammonia levels go up on their own.

For now I'd leave the tank alone and see what happens in a week. If the levels go up, and they probably will due to die off, I'd do a 20-25% water change and wait another week.

If the levels go down then just wait until they deplete. If it doesn't get below 1ppm in two weeks I'd do a 20% water change.

[Samper]

Kyle, You shouldn't have needed to use ammonia to get the cycle started since you already have rock. Usually that's done before rock is added but with the rock it will cycle the tank. No biggie though just wait it out.

[kgeorge]

Well my gosh........ I can't win for losin. Should I add some of the "cycle" stuff (brand name) or something like that to throw good bacteria in it?

[kgeorge]

And does this mean I've just killed quiet a bit of rock???

[charlie]

Originally Posted by kgeorge

And does this mean I've just killed quiet a bit of rock???

I think if you do like they said, and just let things happen on their own, you will be fine. Can I ask a dumb question? Who told you to try the ammonia???

[Samper]

I actually told him that ammonia can be added to start a cycle and that urinating in a tank has been done in the past with success. I've done it a few times but that was before rock or anything but saltwater was added. I know a few other people who also start them this way. Kyle don't add anything and just wait it out that display we tore down that the rock came from had ammonia levels present. Everything will be ok.

[charlie]

Originally Posted by Samper

I actually told him that ammonia can be added to start a cycle and that urinating in a tank has been done in the past with success. I've done it a few times but that was before rock or anything but saltwater was added. I know a few other people who also start them this way. Kyle don't add anything and just wait it out that display we tore down that the rock came from had ammonia levels present. Everything will be ok.

OOPS It is just that I have always just let nature take it's course during the cycling process. Sorry man.

[Samper]

I should have explained it to you a little further Kyle. That's my bad but you'll be fine.

[kgeorge]

No Chuck it's not your fault. I knew you had done it and I have been reading about it and thought it would help it along by adding it to it. I was under the impression that the rock would not put out the ammonia since it was "cured". That was just my stupidity. The good thing is I haven't completely messed my tank up............. However, I'm getting alot of brown algae... Is this from the ammonia or what? And it started yesterday about the time I added the ammonia so it couldn't be all from it, if at all....... Ideas?

[Samper]

Kyle read about Diatoms. What you're seeing is completely normal, happens at the start of every system and if you're doing things right will go away quickly. If they're still around in two weeks I'll be surprised.

[kgeorge]

Ok thanks Chuck....

[Ratpack]

Just subscibing so I can see how this all turns out, would like to move to a 75 myself in the future once I get the 47 completed. Looks nice so far. And don't feel bad about being in a hurray, I have been there myself and like everyone else is saying, just wait it out and things will be fine.

[Ratpack]

Oh, I do have two questions. First, what is the purpose of the egg crate on the battom of the tank since it will be covered with sand? And second, what type of foam and paint are you using? I may have missed it in the thread, but I don't remember seeing it listed.

Thanks!

[kgeorge]

The egg crate is for the rock, just to keep it off the glass or in case it fell or something. The foam is a black foam you can get from Dr. Foster's & Smith called Handi Foam.......
Pond Adhesive & Maintenance: Handi-Foam Black Straw and Gun Foam

It is the same stuff as the "great stuff" you can get at Wal-Mart or any hardware store, it's just black. If you can live with it being a yellowish color for a while, i'd tell you to go that route. It's a ton cheaper and will all look the same in the end. I wish I would have done that.....
The paint is Krylon Fusion. It sticks great to the foam but not very well to the glass. I even let it cure a week. I haven't had any trouble of it coming off the foam though...

[kgeorge]

pH is at about 8.4.
Nitrites are at about 5.0 ppm.
Nitrates are at about 40 ppm !!!!!!

[Samper]

Kyle gimme a call when you get a chance.