Newbies, a little something on cycling/breaking in a new reef tank. - Page 5

prow · 04-25-2008, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emperor559

Ok so does this mean you have a lot of anaerobic die off when you gravel vac?

gravel? not much surface area for anaerobic bacteria to grow on with gravel, so no worries about anaerobic die off. with gravel or CC detritus collects and needs manuall removal (vac). now if you meant a deep sandbed (DSB) 3"-6+" depending on grain size, then yes die off will occur. with a DSB, if you only vac the top 1/2" it should be fine, dont go any deeper than that though. i would also only vac small sections off the top layer of the sandbed at a time. now if your talking about a short sandbed (under 3") then frequent vac maybe needed.

Kayla · 05-06-2008, 11:40 PM

I just have a quick question. I have been reading this...over and over. I dont want to miss something or mess up somewhere down the line. ok, question is, with my test kit, I can test NH3, NO2, NO3...I know from chemistry class, many many years ago, that NH2 is a form of nitrite. Should I be testing NH2 as well? Please dont think I am ignorant for asking this.

prow · 05-07-2008, 06:55 AM

NH2 is actually a amidogen,...its a amino group in organic chem/ and a amino ion in inorganic chem. its a compound radical and is not present in a seperate state. it readily reacts with H+(NH2 + H -> NH +H2) or OH-(NH2 + OH -> NH +H2O) ph depending. basically its ammonia that losses a H+ in water resulting in H3O+ and NH2, which then reacts with H+ or OH- (which ever has the greater concentration). it also reacts with other things but thats the basics.

so to answer your question, no, you dont need to test for it

tubedood · 05-11-2008, 04:24 PM

Yikes am I already messing up? I left in the sponge/foam filter in my aquapod. And have the lights on... No added biological stuff, just an empty 12 gallon tank trying to get to a good SG reading. Im using the charcoal bag in the second slot just to clean out anything my dirty hands added ( I have well water and used Instant Ocean). Appreciate any help in my first attempt at saltwater and reef. Thanks,
~Dale

05-06-2008, 11:40 PM	#62 (permalink)
Kayla Tunicate Join Date: May 2008 Location: oklahoma Posts: 9 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Newbies, a little something on cycling/breaking in a new reef tank. I just have a quick question. I have been reading this...over and over. I dont want to miss something or mess up somewhere down the line. ok, question is, with my test kit, I can test NH3, NO2, NO3...I know from chemistry class, many many years ago, that NH2 is a form of nitrite. Should I be testing NH2 as well? Please dont think I am ignorant for asking this.

05-07-2008, 06:55 AM	#63 (permalink)
prow Manta Ray Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 3,854 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Newbies, a little something on cycling/breaking in a new reef tank. NH2 is actually a amidogen,...its a amino group in organic chem/ and a amino ion in inorganic chem. its a compound radical and is not present in a seperate state. it readily reacts with H+(NH2 + H -> NH +H2) or OH-(NH2 + OH -> NH +H2O) ph depending. basically its ammonia that losses a H+ in water resulting in H3O+ and NH2, which then reacts with H+ or OH- (which ever has the greater concentration). it also reacts with other things but thats the basics. so to answer your question, no, you dont need to test for it __________________ "He who sees things grow from their beginnings shall have the finest view of them" ........Aristotle........ "The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad." - Salvador Dali my chronicle........ http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...al-system.html

05-11-2008, 04:24 PM	#64 (permalink)
tubedood Limpet Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 133 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Newbies, a little something on cycling/breaking in a new reef tank. Yikes am I already messing up? I left in the sponge/foam filter in my aquapod. And have the lights on... No added biological stuff, just an empty 12 gallon tank trying to get to a good SG reading. Im using the charcoal bag in the second slot just to clean out anything my dirty hands added ( I have well water and used Instant Ocean). Appreciate any help in my first attempt at saltwater and reef. Thanks, ~Dale

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