[Fishhead Junkie]

i know every tank is different but how much time do you think it takes for an 8 gallon bio cube to cycle if it started off with the usual live sand, live rock, and pre-made water.

[migget]

i would say prolly 1-2 weeks depending on how cured your LR is and how fast your cycle goes, its taken 2 weeeks in my 14 gal bio, but i put 4 fish in it 3 days after i got everything set up. But its all fine and the rock and fish are looking great.

[ilovemash]

I would stay safe, smart and not rush anything. Let it do a full cycle, run it for 2, 3, maybe even 4 weeks to let it cycle.

[Fishhead Junkie]

i was just asking for my sister in law. she of course is rushing it so she added a chromis and a clownfish after just a couple days...a week later the clown is still alive but the chromis just died yesterday.

the rock was pretty well cured but i dont think that mattered much, no matter what you are gonna have some die off correct? she was over my place yesterday and was looking at my tank in aw and was like...I WANT MY TANK TO LOOK JUST LIKE YOURS...i was like, well, maybe wait about a year cuz thats how long mine has been up and running and its still not even close to how i wish it would look.

my tank back is still practically black, doesnt have any coverage on it at all, you would think algae or something would grow on it like the glass but nothing, i wonder why? any suggestions?

[jimw369]

Hey Fish Head! Got some water params for us? Maybe we can do something here?

Tank set up too!

[Jeremy0322]

If the back of your tank is still black and you are looking for some coralline you should give us your calcium lever because that would be what needed fixed i think. Also, i saw someone try this..
My 220 build - Vivid Aquariums Forums
..He took coralline from the lfs and put it in his tank, just a really small amount, but it started the growing process and seeded his tank with it.

[Fishhead Junkie]

actually right now, the only test kits i have left at my disposal is a ammonia kit, ph/alkalinity kit, and a copper test kit. what should the calcium level be at to really get corraline growing?

[Jeremy0322]

I am pretty sure that the ideal number is 450, but i doubt it has to be that high to grow coralline. I am sure it would not be that hard to find out, but i dont know off the top of my head.

[Fishhead Junkie]

i visited the LFS with the kids really quick this afternoon. i could of sworn the test kids were alot cheaper...when i saw that a calcium test kit was $16, i said forget it. i am on a tight budget so about all i can afford these days is saltwater to do water changes, frozen food, and some filter cartridges....the test kit is gonna have to wait. maybe i'll try craigslist and see if there are any on there cheap.

[jimw369]

Originally Posted by Fishhead Junkie

i visited the LFS with the kids really quick this afternoon. i could of sworn the test kids were alot cheaper...when i saw that a calcium test kit was $16, i said forget it. i am on a tight budget so about all i can afford these days is saltwater to do water changes, frozen food, and some filter cartridges....the test kit is gonna have to wait. maybe i'll try craigslist and see if there are any on there cheap.

Try to get at least these test kits...Calcium, Amonia, Nitrate, Magneseum, Kh

Id say these are mandatory to maintain water params at the desired levels. Ive thought about delivering pizza to help pay for all this stuff

[Fishhead Junkie]

what exactly does magnisium play as a role in a saltwater tank? i'll admit it, i really dont test like i should and read up like i should.

[jimw369]

Originally Posted by Fishhead Junkie

what exactly does magnisium play as a role in a saltwater tank? i'll admit it, i really dont test like i should and read up like i should.

Since you are honest here is what you need to know. Straight from the guys that are here now answering your questions. Great thread with some great links! Read up!

http://www.reefbuilders.com/forums/n...ium-ph-kh.html

If you look at who is asking the ???s you will see we have all been there. What some one does with this information is up to them!

[e_baer]

Originally Posted by jimw369

Try to get at least these test kits...Calcium, Amonia, Nitrate, Magneseum, Kh

Id say these are mandatory to maintain water params at the desired levels. Ive thought about delivering pizza to help pay for all this stuff

I agree with the test kits! those test kits are the most important thing you can get for a tank! Without the test kits it is all guess work and your livestock pays the price. It is not fair to your livestock to be making guess'.