budget minded progress

[ccrfuzzy]

Hi guys! I haven't fallen off the earth entirely, I'm just waiting patiently while the tank cycles...lalalalala.... So far things are going pretty normally, Nitrates peaked at around 160 on day 7 and now on day 13 (today) are around 40. Nitrites peaked at around 5.0 on day 10 and are now hanging in the 3.0 range without much change. Alk and pH have remained rock steady at 180 and 7.8. This saturday will be my next work and LFS visit day and I'm trying to plan my next move. The ~25 lbs of LR I stocked back on day 1 (the tank water was actually 3 days old at that point) are showing appropriate signs of death and life . I see some new tiny feathers waving around, the sponge (?) that grew the first week is still the same, some maroon algea is expanding slightly and I see green and reddish growth on some of the adjacent rocks.
Now, for my next move:
-Should I supplement with more LR? I'm thinking that I'd like to challenge the cycle a little and maybe another 20 lbs or so of LR? I really like the aesthetics of LR in a tank. I'm also considering a few inches of dry sand (can't find a LS source around here) since I'd love to have gobies and blennies in the future.
-My DH and DS are both jonesing for something to watch in the tank. Could I safely add some snails, hermies or cheap (read disposable) damsels at this point? I know it's early but even a dead fish adds 'stuff' to the cycle. Corals and more interesting fish are a good ways off until this tank matures.
-I need to make some improvements to the overall filtration but can't afford the really big bucks to replace the Fluval with a whole sump system. My thought is a HOB biowheel and Berlin protien skimmer. I KNOW these are not the ideal, but it's a much more reasonable cost at the moment. Hubby is funding this little enterprise and all he sees right now is rocks. I'm thinking that some lives in the tank might pry open his wallet a little.
-I want to correct the pH to the 8.2 - 8.4 range. I'm having a hard time wrapping my brain around a method. It's possible that the CO2 levels in the house are up since we really haven't opened up for the summer and we do use wood stoves for heat. Now, even if that corrects during the summer, I'll have to compensate again next winter. Suggestions?
Elaine
55 gal, ~25 lbs LR, Day 13 of initial cycle, Fuval 403 filter with sand and charcoal, CC substrate, lots of coral bone

[Charlie97L]

ok first, with those levels, pretty much anything you put in would immediately die. don't do that. if you want to cycle more, toss in a piece of shrimp.

i'd get more live rock, especially if that's going to be your primary filtration. 25 lbs in a 55 is a little lean. i'd go more to the 60-65 lb range.

those HOB and berlin skimmers are fine, they're just not the best... but they do work... i'd go for it.

again, patience is key, something living that you put in the tank wouldn't live more than an hour in my estimation, and i doubt that'll help your case for future livestock purchases if the first fish/animals die immediately

[ccrfuzzy]

Ah, that's good info. You are right, if lives would die that fast, it wouldn't help the effort. OK, so this week I guess hubby and I will shop the filters and LR and I'll let him drool some more over the LFS tanks. LOL "See honey! If we get the better filters and clean the water up more, we can have fish like THAT!" hehe
Tell me more about using a shrimp for cycling. I've heard it mentioned, but not in specifics. Do you mean a regular, eating type cocktail shrimp? raw? Shell? leave it in there? ewwwww
Elaine

[Charlie97L]

yup, you can shell it or not, i don't think it matters. just toss it in there, and leave it for a few days.

[cracker]

A SMALL fresh shrimp in something like a pantyhose will work fine. A big shrimp might intro too much Ammonia all at once.Also some more LR would have the same results, nothing fancy untill your water perameters level out.

[ccrfuzzy]

OK, I promise to wait patiently and buy a small shrimp. Hmmm...try to talk the fish counter guy into one shrimp or buy a lb or so and 'suffer' with eating the extras.
Any thoughts on the pH issue?
Elaine

[Charlie97L]

pH should settle out as the cycle completes... having those spikes makes it go wonky. if it's not right when the cycle is complete, then you can use a pH buffer, available at your local LFS... most salt mixes automatically get the pH at the right place after the cycle if you put the right amount of salt in.

[KeyserSoze]

Ph was my biggest headache when I first set up my tank. I used Kent superbuffer until it stablized. Now regular water changes seem to do the trick with only occassional buffering.

[ccrfuzzy]

YYYIIIIPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just spot checked my water after adding for evaporation this afternoon and my Nitrates are 20 and my Nitrites are ZERO!!! Alk dropped to 80(?) and pH is still 7.8 but I'll discuss what to do about that with the LFS guy (an honest to gawd Marine biologist) when I go to BUY FISH. Whhoooohhhhoooo
Gee, I didn't even get a chance to try the shrimp.
Elaine

[Woodstock]

Congrats on your cycle!!!

The low PH could be from low alk, high ditritus, or high co2. It is important to have good surface water circulation. This helps to blow out the co2 from the water. It sounds like a water change is in order. Get those trAtes down to 10 ppm or less before adding livestock.

[ccrfuzzy]

Will do! My thought was a 20% water change and then retest. Am I on the right track?
Elaine

[Witfull]

on track and headed to the promised land~~

[ccrfuzzy]

Yeah!
OK, my first hopefulls will be a couple of Damsels and a Hawkfish. Talking a 55 gal here and the Damsels at this store tend to be between 1 and 1.5 inches.
I realize that Damsels can be buggers with other fish later but honestly, I like Damsels just for their own sake. So how many would you suggest? Is three too many? If I get one or two now, will I have trouble adding a third later?
How about the Hawk? How sturdy are they? Could a Hawk withstand a newly cycled tank? I wouldn't consider one of those quite as dispensable (i.e. disposable) as a Damsel.
Are Goby's more or less sturdy than the Hawk?
I don't feel like I have to fully populate the tank now, I'm just not sure how many to add and when. OK, I'm off to find articles about fish 'personalities'. LOL
Elaine

[Witfull]

dont do damsels,,they are mean lil buggers

[ccrfuzzy]

Originally Posted by Witfull

dont do damsels,,they are mean lil buggers

Yeah, that's what I've heard, but that also keeps them busy in the tank doesn't it? My long term goal might be to get a trigger again (had them in the past and LOVE those guys) but I dont' want to do that so soon. Ummm...another suggestion for me to gander at? In the inexpensive line but will have personality?
Elaine