Happy 4th to you all! I’m looking for some help/reassurance. I’m back at the salt hobby after a long 4 year break while I traveled for work. I’ve maintained a 60 gallon freshwater tank but just didn’t have the time for salt. But excited to restart now that life has been put on pause due to COVID 19.
Currently have my tank set up with a heater, water, filter floss in the Intank media basket, power head and using the original pump and lights that came with the tank. In the past I did not cycle with live rock but this time I’m choosing to do that. So I have added 2.5 pounds of live cured rock from my LFS. It was only out of the water for about 30 mins on the drive home.
Salinity 1.025
Water Temp: 78
My questions are this:
1) When should I start testing the water after adding the live rock? I’ve read that I may or may not see a cycle happen due to the live rock.
2) I used old salt hoping that it would be okay (it had absorbed some moisture) for my initial tank fill and now regretting it. My tank is very cloudy and does not appear to be resolving after a week. Any suggestions?
3) When should I add filter media and what would you recommend? I’ve read carbon, chempur, and phosguard as good suggestions. I want to go slow with this and let nature take its course. So I’m not anxious to add media unless it is necessary. My testing kit is on the way (the old one expired and I didn’t realize it).
4) Lastly run lights on or off for cycle with live rock?
Adding live sand (that I will be rinsing thoroughly) to the tank tomorrow when it arrives. Beyond that I’m happy to sit and wait it out. Just hoping to clear up that water a bit if I can. Thank you in advance!
Currently have my tank set up with a heater, water, filter floss in the Intank media basket, power head and using the original pump and lights that came with the tank. In the past I did not cycle with live rock but this time I’m choosing to do that. So I have added 2.5 pounds of live cured rock from my LFS. It was only out of the water for about 30 mins on the drive home.
Salinity 1.025
Water Temp: 78
My questions are this:
1) When should I start testing the water after adding the live rock? I’ve read that I may or may not see a cycle happen due to the live rock.
2) I used old salt hoping that it would be okay (it had absorbed some moisture) for my initial tank fill and now regretting it. My tank is very cloudy and does not appear to be resolving after a week. Any suggestions?
3) When should I add filter media and what would you recommend? I’ve read carbon, chempur, and phosguard as good suggestions. I want to go slow with this and let nature take its course. So I’m not anxious to add media unless it is necessary. My testing kit is on the way (the old one expired and I didn’t realize it).
4) Lastly run lights on or off for cycle with live rock?
Adding live sand (that I will be rinsing thoroughly) to the tank tomorrow when it arrives. Beyond that I’m happy to sit and wait it out. Just hoping to clear up that water a bit if I can. Thank you in advance!