Water today!

ReefNole · 06/05/2015, 06:17 AM

Well, the day has come.

After a DIY stand, dozens of Amazon purchases, rock epoxying, and all of the other things you all have done so many times, today is the day water makes it in my 29g.

I did a lot of things differently this time (actually purchased a refractometer, black substrate, egg crate under the rocks, and dry rock/sand). Most I think for the better, but I'm nervous about the length of my cycle by only feeding as my source of ammonia. Also, as it's an invert only tank, I'm wondering about adding a few hermits about 2 weeks into the cycle, but I've never cycled with anything alive and don't necessarily want to start unless yall think it would be ok.

Either way, I'll have pictures eventually, but just wanted to share my excitement with the board as I'm back in the hobby after 5 years removed. Thanks all for the support and wisdom on this board. Time to fill it up and wait!

scooter31707 · 06/05/2015, 07:02 AM

Congrads and good luck! Be patience and do not rush and it will be well worth the reward!

Shawn O · 06/05/2015, 07:20 AM

I think the hermits will die if added during the cycle. Someone with real experience, as compared to mine (or lack thereof) care to chime in?

Marchillo · 06/05/2015, 07:37 AM

You've waited this long just do the feeding and let the cycle occur over 4-6 weeks and then the wait is over.

Good luck and welcome back

oldbones · 06/05/2015, 07:41 AM

You could certainly add some bacteria in a bottle if you wish to speed up the cycle.

gone fishin · 06/05/2015, 08:41 AM

Congrats

I would hold off adding any inverts until your cycled. Just my two cents

Sk8r · 06/05/2015, 11:25 AM

If you want to qt your inverts, putting them into qt now would have them ready to add few at a time four weeks from now, when the tank has finished its cycle.

ReefNole · 06/05/2015, 12:02 PM

I know I know...yall are like the angel on one shoulder compared to the devil on the other haha.

I'll wait it out as I should. I may add 1 live rock if I find one with some good growth on it, but I think I'll hold off on any bottled products.

Thanks as always for the sound thinking. Time to DIY my canopy!

gone fishin · 06/05/2015, 02:26 PM

The canopy should provide a distraction for a little while LOL.

kmbyrnes · 06/06/2015, 07:11 AM

Congrats!.
You have been patiently getting your tank together.
Now is not the time to give in to the temptation to move too fast.
Stay the course and wait out the cycle. You will be netter off in the long run.

06/05/2015, 06:17 AM	#1
ReefNole Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 111	Water today! Well, the day has come. After a DIY stand, dozens of Amazon purchases, rock epoxying, and all of the other things you all have done so many times, today is the day water makes it in my 29g. I did a lot of things differently this time (actually purchased a refractometer, black substrate, egg crate under the rocks, and dry rock/sand). Most I think for the better, but I'm nervous about the length of my cycle by only feeding as my source of ammonia. Also, as it's an invert only tank, I'm wondering about adding a few hermits about 2 weeks into the cycle, but I've never cycled with anything alive and don't necessarily want to start unless yall think it would be ok. Either way, I'll have pictures eventually, but just wanted to share my excitement with the board as I'm back in the hobby after 5 years removed. Thanks all for the support and wisdom on this board. Time to fill it up and wait! __________________ - Andrew

06/05/2015, 07:20 AM	#3
Shawn O Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: People's Communist Republic of Massachusetts Posts: 1,474	I think the hermits will die if added during the cycle. Someone with real experience, as compared to mine (or lack thereof) care to chime in? __________________ "55gal glass box full of water, rocks and some not-so-amused little fishes" 2x Occellaris, 1 Pajama, 1 Neon Dottyback. Current Tank Info: 55gal tank, sumpless, ReefOctopus Classic 90, Twin bulb T5.

06/05/2015, 08:41 AM	#6
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	Congrats I would hold off adding any inverts until your cycled. Just my two cents __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

06/05/2015, 11:25 AM	#7
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	If you want to qt your inverts, putting them into qt now would have them ready to add few at a time four weeks from now, when the tank has finished its cycle. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

06/05/2015, 12:02 PM	#8
ReefNole Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 111	I know I know...yall are like the angel on one shoulder compared to the devil on the other haha. I'll wait it out as I should. I may add 1 live rock if I find one with some good growth on it, but I think I'll hold off on any bottled products. Thanks as always for the sound thinking. Time to DIY my canopy! __________________ - Andrew

06/05/2015, 07:02 AM	#2
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	Congrads and good luck! Be patience and do not rush and it will be well worth the reward!

06/05/2015, 07:37 AM	#4
Marchillo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 1,178	You've waited this long just do the feeding and let the cycle occur over 4-6 weeks and then the wait is over. Good luck and welcome back

06/05/2015, 07:41 AM	#5
oldbones Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 940	You could certainly add some bacteria in a bottle if you wish to speed up the cycle.

06/05/2015, 02:26 PM	#9
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	The canopy should provide a distraction for a little while LOL. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

06/06/2015, 07:11 AM	#10
kmbyrnes Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 2,055	Congrats!. You have been patiently getting your tank together. Now is not the time to give in to the temptation to move too fast. Stay the course and wait out the cycle. You will be netter off in the long run. __________________ 125g Mixed Reef 5/26/2015; 350 Butterfly Dominated FOWLR 11/26/2015 - 11/17/20217 & 07/31/18 to ??? ; 100g Mixed Reef 11/16/2013 to 06/16/2017 Current Tank Info: Too small