Test run with fish (chemicals)

dogum99 · Jun 11, 2016

I rebuilt my 200g because of a crack. I used rtv 103. I also made rock walls with pond foam and 2 part epoxy. Just to make sure I bought 3 chromis to be Guinea pigs and make sure all is good before I start transfering my 125 over. How long do you guys think is a good wait period before I give the all clear?

Diesel · Jun 11, 2016

It all depends on your test results.
Post some up as we can give you some feedback.

dogum99 · Jun 12, 2016

I'm more looking for a timeframe. Like a week and I should be good? Maybe longer or shorter?

Diesel · Jun 12, 2016

dogum99 said:
I'm more looking for a timeframe. Like a week and I should be good? Maybe longer or shorter?

I understand but you can't possibility know that without testing.
Some systems are cycled in 5 days using Dr Tim's one and only and some systems using a dead shrimp or LR will take up to weeks some up to three months.
Test for ammonia and nitrite levels.
Understand the cycle process in a key factor of being successful.

dogum99 · Jun 12, 2016

I've been in salt water for over 7 years. I have plenty of experience with cycling. I am strickly speaking to make sure that anything I used to construct the tank or rock wall wasn't harmful.... I figured by putting in a few cheap fish I could test and make sure it was safe from that standpoint. This has nothing to do with cycling.

TinyChocobo · Jun 12, 2016

dogum99 said:
I've been in salt water for over 7 years. I have plenty of experience with cycling. I am strickly speaking to make sure that anything I used to construct the tank or rock wall wasn't harmful.... I figured by putting in a few cheap fish I could test and make sure it was safe from that standpoint. This has nothing to do with cycling.

Read the package of every material you used for curing time / proper application and usage / applicable uses etc.

If your silicone cures in 24 hours - you would want to wait 24 hours before putting anything in the tank for example. If your silicone says not to submerge under water long-term - you probably wouldn't want to use it to build an aquarium/fix an aquarium issue.

I suppose we could all Google it for you - but nothing is stopping you from doing that :).