Meech's 120

[scarf_ace1981]

the spike is definately due to the addition of new sand.

as for the rockwork, i think it looks pretty cool.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

How much sand did you add?

 

[meech]

the spike is definately due to the addition of new sand.

as for the rockwork, i think it looks pretty cool.

thanks Scarf. It's tedious work but I'm happy with the outcome.

 

[meech]

How much sand did you add?

Kinda hard to say. I didn't use all of what I had on the previous setup because I've added 60 lbs of rock to this setup. If I had to guess I would say somewhere around 80 to 100 lbs.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Is there any livestock in the tank?
If so get it out.

With that much sand I would drain the tank, take all the rock out, take out the sand clean it good, and start over again.

I know it sucks but it's the best way. THe safest way.

 

[meech]

Is there any livestock in the tank?
If so get it out.

With that much sand I would drain the tank, take all the rock out, take out the sand clean it good, and start over again.

I know it sucks but it's the best way. THe safest way.

I almost fell out of my chair just now !!!!!!!!!!


Are you serious ???? You don't think that a few really large water changes can fix this?

by the way, there's no livestock in the tank at all,,,,,,,,,,,,,I would never do that.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

THat's just My opinion. Hopefully some others may have other suggestions, but that is what I would do. That sand needs to be cleaned good. What it is doing is leaching everything out into your water because it was live and then died in the bag. If you look most people recommend if you are gonna use sand from another tank use only a cup or two to seed the new tank, or if you are going to reuse sand that has been sitting for a long time rinse it thoroughly and get all of the cr@p out of it because of the adverse affect it can have on your tank.

I am only one person tho.

 

[meech]

I could jump out of a window right now !!!!!!!!!!!!!:headache::headache::headache::headache:


no offense Chief,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,but if anyone else can chime in and negate Chiefs theory I would be extremenly greatful !!!!

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

None taken Meech,

 

[MO~IDOL]

ok i may get blah blah blah from every one here...but since u don't have any corals nor live stock u can try sugar...it worked for me no ill effect.

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/advanced-reefs/15802-nitrate-reduction-101-sugar.html

 

[Awibrandy]

Old dead sand, and some die off from your l/r is the culprit.
I don't know what your schedule is like, and I know w/c are a pain to some. But I would do smaller w/c twice a week until they go down. You have no livestock so, (I could be wrong) there is no emergency here. Best wishes, and please do keep us posted..

 

[meech]

Old dead sand, and some die off from your l/r is the culprit.
I don't know what your schedule is like, and I know w/c are a pain to some. But I would do smaller w/c twice a week until they go down. You have no livestock so, (I could be wrong) there is no emergency here. Best wishes, and please do keep us posted..

I think I'm going to try the water changing option for a couple of weeks and see if that cures the problem. I have about 60 gals of pre-made water (R/O,Salt, heated and mixed) at home. I want to make another 30 gals but I'm waiting for (2) 160 gal buckets of Instant Ocean Salt to be delivered. Should have them in about 3 days.


Although this mistake on my part is a little dissapointing, it's not really a major set back. I'll keep you guys posted.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Water changes and sugar are fine to take out and break down the nitrates in the water but how are you going to get the stuff out of that sand? The sand bed is where your problem lies. It seems easier to do water changes yes, but in the long run it is easier to clean out the sand bed and start over.

 

[212jay]

If ya want to avoid any problems down the line I would do as Chief says. I did the same and wished I would have started over.

 

[meech]

I KNEW I SHOULD HAVE GONE WITH BLACK SAND !!!!!!!!!!!

Funny thing is,,,,,,,,,the reason I opted against the black sand is because I read a few threads suggesting that it may cause me some problems down the road. Seems like I substituted a minor sinus headache for a MIGRAINE !!! Damn this hobby,,,,,,,,,,,,,I'm goin' back to,,,,,,,,,,,wait a minute, I don't have any other hobbies .

 

[firehazard]

meec would like to kno on some ideas you had on using the plexi as part of your aquascaping....:idea:

 

[dnyce]

I KNEW I SHOULD HAVE GONE WITH BLACK SAND !!!!!!!!!!!

Funny this is,,,,,,,,,the reason I opted against the black sand is because I read a few threads suggesting that it may cause me some problems down the road. Seems like I substituted a minor sinus headache for a MIGRAINE !!! Damn this hobby,,,,,,,,,,,,,I'm goin' back to,,,,,,,,,,,wait a minute, I don't have any other hobbies .

Damn Meech I leave you alone for a couple of days and now look what you done did!! Definitely let me know how everything turns out. I wish I could offer you some advice, but I'm greener than you and learning as I go. Here's a crazy newbie question; What would happen if you stirred up the sand, skimmed like crazy and did the water changes? would that remove most of the dead stuff from the old sand or would the stirring make it worse?

 

[LeslieS]

what about siphoning out all the sand and all the water, but leaving the aquascape. I am only a 1 year hobbyist, but your rocks do look pretty cool....

 

[meech]

Damn Meech I leave you alone for a couple of days and now look what you done did!! Definitely let me know how everything turns out. I wish I could offer you some advice, but I'm greener than you and learning as I go. Here's a crazy newbie question; What would happen if you stirred up the sand, skimmed like crazy and did the water changes? would that remove most of the dead stuff from the old sand or would the stirring make it worse?

I know, I know,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I should've known better than this !!! Bonehead move of the year ! :smash:


I plan on attacking this massive project this week. I will be making a 90% water change while removing the old sand (or as much as I can of it). I won't even bother trying to rinse the sand as I'm afraid it will still be contaminated. I may try that ESV sand or I might go with my intial plans of the black sand.

 

[meech]

what about siphoning out all the sand and all the water, but leaving the aquascape.


I am only a 1 year hobbyist, but your rocks do look pretty cool....

That's exactly what I plan to do,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,even though I know it's going to take forever to do !!!


Thanks for the compliment.

stay tuned