Finally fixed Rock & Added Sand + Water... what's next?

[vashichino7]

So, we put together our 25 Gallon Nan - Rock & Sand added - Water added from local LFS -

It has been 2 days now, water is clearing out. I have not added any additional liquids, waiting on the Fritz 9 which will arrive today and I will add their recommended dosage.

I also have not turned on the lights or cycled the lights, when do I do this?

What do you guys recommend are the next steps?

Here is a pic - Let me know what you guys think.

 

[mariano]

Very minimalistic aqua-escape, do you have a sump?

 

[chip shop]

Maybe just my eyes but rockwork looks like a monster eel coming from back of tank

 

[vashichino7]

Very minimalistic aqua-escape, do you have a sump?

its 17 lbs of rock - no sump this is an AIO. - 20 lb sand

 

[vashichino7]

Maybe just my eyes but rockwork looks like a monster eel coming from back of tank

I have some side shots, looks like a dragon... my goal was to float the top piece only... but I was doubting the strength of this epoxy. After I left the bottom piece, this epoxy would have held it. Any case, I think it came out good... more realistic.

 

[exnisstech]

It may be 17lb but doesn't look like much room for coral and almost no spots for fish to hide.
Once you add the fritz you'll need to add an ammonia source. Some ghost feed some add ammonia.

 

[mariano]

its 17 lbs of rock - no sump this is an AIO. - 20 lb sand

Ah okay. I was asking because if you added a piece of live rock in the sump, it was going to make the cycling progress much shorter!

Just remember fritz 900 needs to be used with an ammonia source ( to feed the bacteria)

 

[vashichino7]

Ah okay. I was asking because if you added a piece of live rock in the sump, it was going to make the cycling progress much shorter!

Just remember fritz 900 needs to be used with an ammonia source ( to feed the bacteria)

Got it... maybe if I go to the LFS, I can find something to shove in the back to kick start it.

As for the fritz 9, not 900... I would still need to add say the fish to start adding ammonia?

 

[Knucker]

Very nice, next step would be to cycle the tank. Keep an eye on your ammonia levels. You can add a hardy fish or 2 like clowns at this point.

 

[Knucker]

Got it... maybe if I go to the LFS, I can find something to shove in the back to kick start it.

As for the fritz 9, not 900... I would still need to add say the fish to start adding ammonia?

Dr. Tims has an ammonia additive to help cycle the tank. They also have the beneficial bacteria. I myself will also pick up some substrate sauce.

 

[vashichino7]

Very nice, next step would be to cycle the tank. Keep an eye on your ammonia levels. You can add a hardy fish or 2 like clowns at this point.

I add the fritz 9 - get the water tested to add the fish OR add the fritz 9 and just add fish to cycle?

Dumb question, I wanted 2 clowns but designer or maybe white, do I gamble buying them now? OR do I do something else and wait until the tank is more stable...

 

[mariano]

Got it... maybe if I go to the LFS, I can find something to shove in the back to kick start it.

As for the fritz 9, not 900... I would still need to add say the fish to start adding ammonia?

Do not add fish and ammonia. My personal opinion will be to add ammonia in a bottle. I will only add fish right away after the turbo start if you had some sort of live rock.

 

[Knucker]

Clowns were always used to cycle the tank. They will be fine. You can also add food to an empty tank. I've heard some people doing that, but I haven't tried it myself.

Just keep your eyes on the ammonia levels. Once they reach 0 and even if you add a little ammonia the level drop to 0 quickly.

 

[vashichino7]

Do not add fish and ammonia. My personal opinion will be to add ammonia in a bottle. I will only add fish right away after the turbo start if you had some sort of live rock.

Got it.

 

[claydogg84]

You seem in a hurry to get the fish in there, and I don't blame you. It can be difficult to demonstrate patience in this hobby, but it typically pays off in the end. Get an ammonia source, a basic test kit (API will work), and test for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate every day for the next week or so. Make sure you're dosing the correct amount of ammonia. Once the tank is able to process ammonia into nitrate in around 24 hours, the tank is considered "cycled". At that point it is completely safe to add fish. As mentioned above, some people do a "fish in cycle" but that can be tough on the fish and with the products available now, it seems quite unnecessary.

 

[vashichino7]

You seem in a hurry to get the fish in there, and I don't blame you. It can be difficult to demonstrate patience in this hobby, but it typically pays off in the end. Get an ammonia source, a basic test kit (API will work), and test for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate every day for the next week or so. Make sure you're dosing the correct amount of ammonia. Once the tank is able to process ammonia into nitrate in around 24 hours, the tank is considered "cycled". At that point it is completely safe to add fish. As mentioned above, some people do a "fish in cycle" but that can be tough on the fish and with the products available now, it seems quite unnecessary.

No, not in a hurry - just getting so many different opinions and all so I am trying to figure it out. My LFS mentioned to get Fritz 900 and just add fish. I have had a tank before like 10+ years ago however, just trying to pick at everyone's brain to see what is the best move.

As far as wanting to add fish, definitely but I would rather do it on the healthier cycle side, this was the main reason I got Fritz 9 rather than 900, as I would want to have it cycle for a week or so to see where things are. I remember doing chromis as the cycle process - but yeah things have changed.

This is a basic pair of clown, anenome, & coral tank... rather not rush on getting the clowns until i find the perfect pair.

As far as the light, when do I cycle the lights to be on and off, or do I not do that until I have creatures in there.

 

[claydogg84]

No, not in a hurry - just getting so many different opinions and all so I am trying to figure it out. My LFS mentioned to get Fritz 900 and just add fish. I have had a tank before like 10+ years ago however, just trying to pick at everyone's brain to see what is the best move.

As far as wanting to add fish, definitely but I would rather do it on the healthier cycle side, this was the main reason I got Fritz 9 rather than 900, as I would want to have it cycle for a week or so to see where things are. I remember doing chromis as the cycle process - but yeah things have changed.

This is a basic pair of clown, anenome, & coral tank... rather not rush on getting the clowns until i find the perfect pair.

As far as the light, when do I cycle the lights to be on and off, or do I not do that until I have creatures in there.

There's no real reason to run the lights for the fishless cycle, so I didn't. I used Dr Tim's One & Only and their ammonia dosed to their recommended amount and the cycle was established in about 7 days.

 

[vashichino7]

There's no real reason to run the lights for the fishless cycle, so I didn't. I used Dr Tim's One & Only and their ammonia dosed to their recommended amount and the cycle was established in about 7 days.

+ FRITZ 9 ?

 

[claydogg84]

+ FRITZ 9 ?

I'm not familiar with that product, but it seems similar to Dr Tim's One & Only. I would use the Dr Tim's ammonia with the Fritz 9 (as I'm assuming you've already purchased it). The bottle will tell you how much to use.

 

[vashichino7]

I'm not familiar with that product, but it seems similar to Dr Tim's One & Only. I would use the Dr Tim's ammonia with the Fritz 9 (as I'm assuming you've already purchased it). The bottle will tell you how much to use.

Yea, the Fritz is coming today - ill do that! Thanks