Am I being anal if I test every day

[redstang]

Or is that what I'm supposed to do? LOL Cycle started Monday night.

Kids are super excited. Funny to see them come in just to look at a tank with nothing but sand and rock.

I know the LR I bought will have bacteria in it that I need but what about microfauna? Should I look into buying some pods to seed the tank with or any of the microfauna packages that include sand bed critters like worms?

BTW, thanks to KWA for the deals so I could get this started early. Ron was extremely helpful. I wish we had met under different circumstances!

Thanks!

 

[grouper therapy]

RedStang;653299 wrote: Or is that what I'm supposed to do? LOL Cycle started Monday night.

Kids are super excited. Funny to see them come in just to look at a tank with nothing but sand and rock.

I know the LR I bought will have bacteria in it that I need but what about microfauna? Should I look into buying some pods to seed the tank with or any of the microfauna packages that include sand bed critters like worms?

BTW, thanks to KWA for the deals so I could get this started early. Ron was extremely helpful. I wish we had met under different circumstances!

Thanks!

Yes you are but so what if that is what you like go for it my friend!! I personally think you will get everything you need for a balanced system by time alone. You will probably get things you don't want as well.

The main thing is the KIDS being super excited:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs::thumbs: good job:up:

 

[mapleredta]

Yes. Not to mention the additional cost you are placing on yourself. What test kits are you using?

As for the pods, I'd wait until your tank has fully cycled. You'd be shocked as to how many are already living in your tank.

 

[redstang]

mapleredta;653310 wrote: Yes. Not to mention the additional cost you are placing on yourself. What test kits are you using?

As for the pods, I'd wait until your tank has fully cycled. You'd be shocked as to how many are already living in your tank.

Yeah, wasn't planning on adding anything until the cycle was done but I should have made that clear.

May have actually spotted my first hitchhiker. It was a fan looking thing sticking out of a piece of LR. Maybe a feather duster? It retracted when I went to move the rock to view it better so I'll just wait patiently for it to show itself again. There's also something smooth and round on the same rock. I'll try to get a pick. Hope it isn't bubble algae!

Oh, API test kits for the cycle. Figured I'd get something nicer right before I add some coral or fish.

Edit:

grouper therapy;653306 wrote: Yes you are but so what if that is what you like go for it my friend!! I personally think you will get everything you need for a balanced system by time alone. You will probably get things you don't want as well.

The main thing is the KIDS being super excited:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs::thumbs: good job:up:

Thanks! Nice thing is the wife is getting into it as well. I sent her a link on the Apex Jr and her reply was "Can it wait till August?"

Here's a pic of the smooth round thing.

http://gallery.me.com/theraders/100012/IMG_0141/web.jpg?ver=13075494060001" alt="" />

And a pic of what I think is a feather duster.

[IMG]http://gallery.me.com/theraders/100012/Feather%20duster%3F/web.jpg?ver=13075495870001" alt="" />

 

[blind1993]

that is a feather duster

 

[smallblock]

is the smooth round thingy hard or is it soft n slimy. It almost looks like a bit of epoxy? I dunno too blurry. I agree with the feather duster ID. I wouldnt do anything to the tank for a month even keep the lights off

 

[blind1993]

the black thing could be a sponge

 

[redstang]

Round thingy is just a little soft. I can push on it and leave an indention.

 

[brianjfinn]

blind1993;653342 wrote: the black thing could be a sponge

:yes:

 

[redstang]

Smallblock;653341 wrote: I wouldnt do anything to the tank for a month even keep the lights off

I'm trying dude! :thumbs: At most a clean up crew at the end of the month or first week of July.

Nice thing is we're gone next week from Sun till Sat so it will have at least 5 days of me not tinkering with it. I'll leave some top-off water for my sis-in-law though.

 

[flyboy93tr]

I would say if the tank is less then 6 month old then not necessarily. It is very important to test your tank and write down the measurements so you can see your tanks patterns!