Cycling for Fish Only tank!

[divinesloth]

As requested by Kelstorm, I'm starting a new thread as I suppose its getting confusing replying to both Ah Boi and me. Sorry for hi-jacking your thread Ah Boi!

I'll try to run through the process I went through.

Equipments:
- 2x1x1 tank
- Hang on top filter with submersible powerhead
- Sander Maxi Skimmer

Content:
- 4inch sand without undergravel filter
- Salt water with 1.022 salinity
- 3 dead prawns...dead for 1 week...stinks up water []
- 3 capful of Cycle liquid

Water Parameters:
- Salinity is 1.022
- NH3 is between 0.5-1.0mg
- NO2 is between 0.8-1.6mg
- NO3...haven't buy testkit yet...no money liao

What do you guys think about my setup?

I went to Kwang's after work today to checkout their LRs...and decided that I really don't want LRs in my tank. Can I survive without LRs?

Actually besides aesthetic, the other reason being that (personal opinion here...nothing againest anybody) I feel that we are actually destroying coral reefs by purchasing LRs and corals which takes years to build. That is why I'm keeping fish only and restricting myself to 5 fishes at most.

X-fish, thanks for informing about the singnet classified, I sent an email to that guy already.

Btw, please inform me if you guys see porcupine puffer! My email addy is [email protected] . I'll get the shop to hold for me till my tank is ready!!!!

[DragonGoby]

Hey, sounds good! Let NH3 and N02 go to 0 before getting anything. What about lights? For aesthetic purposes at least ...

Regards,
Hong Yee

[divinesloth]

Lights...no space to put already. The chunky hang on top filter and skimmer took up all the space . Hopefully I can get that Eheim 2215 then I will get rid of the chunky filter. Anyway I think the water that jets out from the powerhead is too strong. If I don't chuck it then I'll have to get a connector to deflect the jets to the side. Regreted buying the tank set...sigh []

[Ah^boi]

hijacking my thread huh? ahaha i dun minD .. its ok
btW ... how much do that 2215 filter cost?

[X-fish]

divinesloth,

Reason I ask u abt UGF is what DragonGoby said in Ah Boi's thread....for water/air flow. Not sure it's a good idea to have a DSB without it. Maybe DragonGoby can advise u on this.

From yr concern on LR & Coral, I can tell that u are a Nature Lover (hope I'm not wrong on that), good for U. U shld do well with yr FO tank. Perhaps tried culturing yr own LR, that's a diff topic btw. Lets take 1 step at a time. Good luck.

[X-fish]

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On 1/4/2003 12:46:12 AM

Lights...no space to put already. The chunky hang on top filter and skimmer took up all the space . Hopefully I can get that Eheim 2215 then I will get rid of the chunky filter. Anyway I think the water that jets out from the powerhead is too strong. If I don't chuck it then I'll have to get a connector to deflect the jets to the side. Regreted buying the tank set...sigh []
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divinesloth,

Try doing some modification for the water outlet, like fixing a pipe with several small holes on it. It will spread out the pressure & also create water/air circulation throughout the tank. Remember to seal the end of the pipe. Hope u u/std what I'm trying to say. Good luck.

[X-fish]

Divinesloth,

How much did u pay for the Sandra Maxi Skimmer? I want to sell my used set.

Ah Boi,

Are u interested? But must wait till after CNY because going overseas tmrw & may only return on CNY Eve.

[divinesloth]

X-fish

yes, I understand what you are saying but I have yet to find a pipe that fits. Bought 2 already but all too big []

I'm concern about the coral reef because I see them everytime I dive. Alot of coral bleaching everywhere so we must take care of nature. Else next time I dive, nothing to see liao

I got my maxi-skimmer from Petmart at $65. I just found out yesterday that I can close off the water inlet by turning the "mid section" 45 degrees. This would stop the tiny bubbles from leaking out via the sides but I'm not sure if "new" water still gets into the tube for skimming or its just skimming the same water over and over.

[X-fish]

Use a rubber hose (those green color one for aquarium used) as a connector to join the 2 ends.

As long u don't close it all, there will still be water going in. Just checked mine, no matter how u turn it, that's still some gaps for water to go in. Are u getting wet foam in yr collection cup now?

[divinesloth]

Actually I still don't get foams into my cup, but the foam level did raised slightly higher. I suppose its because theres nothing to skim? Or did I assembled the skimmer wrongly? Hmmmm..... Maybe my positioning is wrong? I should place it such that the skimmer outlet is on level with the water line right? Grrrr.....

[X-fish]

I think the drawing shows the outlet just touching the water level. Is yr airpump strong enough? Good Luck.

[divinesloth]

I realise that by lowering my skimmer till the outlet is 3/4 submerged, I can get the foam to push up further. Hmmm...

The air pump I'm using is a 5L/min Beetle 600. Powerful enough?

[DragonGoby]

You might want to do a test on your hardness ... I noticed that water with a higher KH tends to get me more foam. Also, what kind of airstone are you using? The wood airstone that is supplied? As long as your pump manages to push air through the airstone to create a lot of white bubbles it's ok. The reaction column should appear almost solid white due to the bubbles if there are really a lot of bubbles produced.

[divinesloth]

I'm using the default Sander airstone. It is producing very fine bubbles but the reaction column is only completely white above the airstone. I also noticed that the air is being produced only on 2 opposite sides (which is normal right?) and only around the center on each sides. Should the whole of each sides produce bubbles rather than just the center? I think I'll get a new airstone to test it out tomorrow and yeah, will test the hardness too (PH or KH?). This is getting worrying. Sigh []

[kelstorm]

do go for lights.. u will bring out the colors of the fishes.. LR will create hiding places for the fishes.. and aid in the nitrification of the wastes as well... most LR are harvested from approved areas...

yes, try to discard the top filter thingie.. takes up valuable space..especially in a 2ft..

it is fine to have a DSB without the plate.. dun matter..

[kelstorm]

Water Parameters:
- Salinity is 1.022
- NH3 is between 0.5-1.0mg
- NO2 is between 0.8-1.6mg
- NO3...haven't buy testkit yet...no money liao
how long have u been cycling it? like what hognyee had mentioned, wait till the NO2 and NH3 readings are zero before u start considering getting any livestock, and before u do that, change 50% of the water...

Btw, please inform me if you guys see porcupine puffer! My email addy is [email protected] . I'll get the shop to hold for me till my tank is ready!!!!
i dun advice that coz when they stressed, they release toxins into the water which might kill off the inhabitants.. and leave the tank polluted

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[divinesloth]

Actually I setup this tank just for the porcupine puffer, I don't even mind keeping nothing else except that puffer

I've been cycling the tank for 1 week, NH3 just went up to 1.5mg...I wonder why, shouldn't they be decreasing?

NO2 is now max at 3.3mg...normal I guess.

Yeah, will definitely wait till NH3 and NO2 is zero before adding fish. Do I have to measure anything else for a fish only tank?

[DragonGoby]

Leave it longer ... have you taken the source of NH3 (prawn, whatever) out yet? You also might want to introduce some bacteria in to kick-start the thing - via LR, LS, or some old gravel from others' tanks.

[divinesloth]

No, do I have to remove the prawns?

[DragonGoby]

NH3 is high enough, so remove it.