You don't want to do so many big water changes that it messes with the tank's cycle. Cycling a tank is about developing the beneficial bacteria that process the ammonia out of the water. If you water-change it out, you're not building up those beneficial bacteria. I would just let it cycle. Keep it at a good temp, keep it running, put a fish or two in it and feed them so they poop (that's where the usual ammonia source is in a tank - fish poo and uneaten food). Let the bacteria that process that organic waste build up to where the levels aren't noticeable. Then add some more fish, maybe a really hardy coral or two.
HELP!! What happened to my Hollywood stunner
- Thread starter Balz3352
- Start date
I assume you started with all dry rock? It kind of looked that way from some pictures you have posted.
If so you have a bit of a wait ahead of you before things are going to start getting allot easier.
The first tank I started was with all dry rock and i didn't really start having success until about 8 months in. Granted had I really known what I was doing I might have been able to shorten that a bit. If you have not already, get a couple small pieces of well established (like 2+ years) live rock to help thing get going.
Some people will try to steer you away from starting a tank with live rock siting things like pests and what not but I will never start another tank without using all live rock ever again. IMO if you get some good live rock from a trusted source it just makes life so much easier.
If so you have a bit of a wait ahead of you before things are going to start getting allot easier.
The first tank I started was with all dry rock and i didn't really start having success until about 8 months in. Granted had I really known what I was doing I might have been able to shorten that a bit. If you have not already, get a couple small pieces of well established (like 2+ years) live rock to help thing get going.
Some people will try to steer you away from starting a tank with live rock siting things like pests and what not but I will never start another tank without using all live rock ever again. IMO if you get some good live rock from a trusted source it just makes life so much easier.
LOL - I dunno if I'd go that far, but you're welcome.
Getting some live rock from a trusted source is a great way to shorten up the process. Keep it from getting dry or especially cold during transport, and it'll stay live. If it dries out or gets cold/hot, the bacteria on it (this is what makes it 'live') will die.
Getting some live rock from a trusted source is a great way to shorten up the process. Keep it from getting dry or especially cold during transport, and it'll stay live. If it dries out or gets cold/hot, the bacteria on it (this is what makes it 'live') will die.
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