2 week old tank

[MnFish1]

I certainly do not think "patience" is the " universal fixer" and to argue otherwise is clearly ignoring the context of the comment and advice for the sake of argument. I don't get you guys that want to argue just for the sake of it.

The clear context here is/was getting started in the hobby and getting your system stocked.

Um maybe you missed it - IMHO - I think patience is not a big issue

 

[Cell]

I certainly do not think "patience" is the " universal fixer" and to argue otherwise is clearly ignoring the context of the comment and advice for the sake of argument. I don't get you guys that want to argue just for the sake of it.

The clear context here is/was getting started in the hobby and getting your system stocked.

I was speaking generally, not directly to you, hence the lack of a direct quote. I am on topic. OP was told to have more patience repeatedly. I am pointing out the danger of answering generally and ignoring the information presented.

I'll add that you engaged me first by direct quoting me, telling me you disagree with me, then commenting on something completely different. So I'm not sure how I'm the one looking for the fight.

 

[brandon429]

look what howaboutme did with dry rock in a nano: graduated it to a bigger tank in full perfection in a year

Build Thread - My SPS Waterbox Peninsula Mini 15

What cabinet did you go with for the WB15? I have the 25 and Got the same cabinet as you I thought, but mine doesnt have the semi circle cutout on one of your panels.

www.reef2reef.com

Bob Ross types could make tin cans turn into a reef tank / awesome.

that's also a hidden plug for testless reef tank cycling only using the # of days underwater as the measurement for when to start. that's a no bottle bac used full reef tank cycle on dry rocks with full prevention of all hitchhikers.

ammonia testing was simply not used on that reef tank, as a dry rock start/very much updated cycling science there.

 

[brandon429]

Ammonia Levels During Cycling

My ammonia consistently reads very low (about < = .25 ppm), but not 0. Started my tank about three weeks ago and used Bio-Spira to do a fish in cycle. Question is: since I used Bio-Spira and added 2 clownfish, I've had this same ammonia reading pretty consistently since I started the tank...

www.reef2reef.com

nb4 old cycling science.

he simply never had an issue, that's why the pics I'm about to elicit will be of a totally normal looking reef tank.

 

[olonmv]

There are too many variables to even comment. Your headaches indicated that you did something wrong. There is no magic number, 4 weeks with dry sand/rock and the lights on is a recipe to ow algae for sure.

Pouring in bacteria and a bottle of ammonia may speed things along via a kickstart, but you still don’t have a mature system (by any stretch) in 4 weeks. At best you are a few weeks ahead of the dry start folks… but the point all of you arguing about one method vs the other are missing is that every system will undergo drastic changes over the first year or two, regardless of how it was started and what you do or do not add.

My headaches indicate something went wrong indeed……the ugly stage, The stress of parameter swings and dry rock wreaking havoc on my phosphates, the difficulties of keeping parameters stable etc etc etc not to mention the GHA. Could have avoided all that had I used an established biome. I took it slow hoping to learn the ropes…..sometimes learning new things isn’t worth the effort.

 

[BeanAnimal]

My headaches indicate something went wrong indeed……the ugly stage, The stress of parameter swings and dry rock wreaking havoc on my phosphates, the difficulties of keeping parameters stable etc etc etc not to mention the GHA. Could have avoided all that had I used an established biome. I took it slow hoping to learn the ropes…..sometimes learning new things isn’t worth the effort.

So each "method" has its pros/cons and ways to avoid some of the uglies. Starting with live rock is not a magic fix all and has its own set of problems and can just as easily end up in a really bad state if mistakes are made.

I started the current tank ~20 years ago with dry (marco) rock and cup or so of live sand. I was able to avoid ugly (I don't count a week of diatoms and cyano ugly) and it was not until several years (maybe as far as 2007) later when I swapped a LOT of my rock for Live Fiji rock that I ran into my first big set of problems.

There are so many variables. Each and every system will be different, but in most cases, with good advice and patience, you can avoid the uglies or outright crashes. The neat part about this hobby is that all these years (20+ reefs, 30+ Saltwater) is that there is something new to learn every day.

I will also say, that you will not find a long term reef aquarist that has not fought the uglies, total crashes or other disasters, If they say they haven't they are full of BS. "Patience" is not the fix all, but it is a virtue for long term success in reefing and my advice is to get used to it early on.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

WOW, and r2r prides itself on no drama. What I see here are a bunch of little kids trying to prove they are correct. For those of you with all the badges your the worst. My blank is bigger than yours is very high school. Go back and read what you posted here. If you don't hold your head is shame then you really have a screw loose, and for the Johny come lately's out there you just want to pick a fight.

 

[MnFish1]

Just so my opinion is clear - Patience with anything is important. Building a house Building a FOWLR, Building a reef tank. There is no question about that - and no debate, Some - want to pretend(IMHO) - that you have to take 6 weeks to build a stand and 6 weeks to choose a tank, 6 weeks to do a leak test for the poly-colored plumbing in the garage etc - IMHO, Buy a trusted tank/stand manufacturer fill it - make sure there are no leaks, Fill it with RODI saltwater (mixed) - add bacteria - and a SMALL compared to the volume of fish (after QT - whether at the LFS or your house) - Then feed lightly, not a ton - don't keep feeding until the fish nibbles - leaving a ton of food on the bottom - without siphoning - just slowly increase it. Then add more fish slowly - after QT - to the tank, imo this is not anything new - or novel - it's common sense. If you use bacteria at the start or wait 6-9 months (or less) - who cares - the results are the same,

EDIT. QT your fish or buy from a source that does

 

[brandon429]

Rtr gives me unending cycle troubleshoots
it's free patterning over and over

We get to learn about fish survival rates from this energy


Notice they all turn out with the same answer? Neat pattern there


Rtr is amazing to allow this level of discourse on the matter vs just shutting the thread down.

 

[MnFish1]

So each "method" has its pros/cons and ways to avoid some of the uglies. Starting with live rock is not a magic fix all and has its own set of problems and can just as easily end up in a really bad state if mistakes are made.

I started the current tank ~20 years ago with dry (marco) rock and cup or so of live sand. I was able to avoid ugly (I don't count a week of diatoms and cyano ugly) and it was not until several years (maybe as far as 2007) later when I swapped a LOT of my rock for Live Fiji rock that I ran into my first big set of problems.

There are so many variables. Each and every system will be different, but in most cases, with good advice and patience, you can avoid the uglies or outright crashes. The neat part about this hobby is that all these years (20+ reefs, 30+ Saltwater) is that there is something new to learn every day.

I will also say, that you will not find a long term reef aquarist that has not fought the uglies, total crashes or other disasters, If they say they haven't they are full of BS. "Patience" is not the fix all, but it is a virtue for long term success in reefing and my advice is to get used to it early on.

Except the patience part - (if one knows what they are doing) - totally agree

 

[brandon429]

The day I'm seen typing: your cycle is only halfway done that's a sign my account has been hacked

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Hey everyone! Please keep personal attacks and insults out of this thread and off of R2R. We take our "Be nice!" rule seriously (Please see our Terms of Service). We have had to remove a few posts already.

 

[HBtank]

The day I'm seen typing: your cycle is only halfway done that's a sign my account has been hacked

Good point, everyone knows cycles only stall at 2/3rds and nitrite.

 

[MnFish1]

Hey everyone! Please keep personal attacks and insults out of this thread and off of R2R. We take our "Be nice!" rule seriously (Please see our Terms of Service). We have had to remove a few posts already.

Thanks Daniel

 

[brandon429]

That's exactly what Dr Tim told them.

 

[BigTimeIssues]

This same back and forth happened on a thread I started once when asking about carbon dosing. My tank was/is young and was told I shouldn't carbon dose and didnt talk about the merits or drawbacks of different types of carbon dosing. It sucks to see this happen.

The fish looked sick to me. I'm no vet so I can't name the exact disease based on pictures, but could be from any number of issues. The OP says there is no ammonia or nitrite present. If this is the case then I'd suspect the issue is just a disease that has been dormant has started showing symptoms or some damage from previous stays in different tanks has become an issue and now is causing this fish some distress. Just because he didn't cycle for 6 weeks doesn't mean this is the issue. Maybe it is.. just stop arguing.

 

[Rmckoy]

All the high school banter but has anyone seen test results that prove either disease or immature stocking prior to being fully cycled ?

any bacteria states instant cycle and can add fish the same day but in reality … who would honestly purchase a $100 fish and a $10 bottle of bacteria and expect all to be well ?
Being an explosive hobby wouldn’t anyone want to be sure the environment the new fish are added to is safe to sustain their health ?
That being said it really doesn’t matter whose is bigger . But as a group we are supposed to educate and help others succeed .

 

[HBtank]

All the high school banter but has anyone seen test results that prove either disease or immature stocking prior to being fully cycled ?

any bacteria states instant cycle and can add fish the same day but in reality … who would honestly purchase a $100 fish and a $10 bottle of bacteria and expect all to be well ?
Being an explosive hobby wouldn’t anyone want to be sure the environment the new fish are added to is safe to sustain their health ?
That being said it really doesn’t matter whose is bigger . But as a group we are supposed to educate and help others succeed .

Yes, the OP posted test results that helped conclude this was likely disease. The pages of banter are just reefers being reefers

 

[MnFish1]

All the high school banter but has anyone seen test results that prove either disease or immature stocking prior to being fully cycled ?

any bacteria states instant cycle and can add fish the same day but in reality … who would honestly purchase a $100 fish and a $10 bottle of bacteria and expect all to be well ?
Being an explosive hobby wouldn’t anyone want to be sure the environment the new fish are added to is safe to sustain their health ?
That being said it really doesn’t matter whose is bigger . But as a group we are supposed to educate and help others succeed .

Would appreciate if your ask your questions 1, 2, 3. Only because answering a paragraph is hard. And - as you said if you asked the specific questions IMHO it would help educate. ???

 

[Rmckoy]

Would appreciate if your ask your questions 1, 2, 3. Only because answering a paragraph is hard. And - as you said if you asked the specific questions IMHO it would help educate. ???

You can answer them in order 1,2,3 or which ever way works .
i wasn’t looking for specific answers