Chony;720959 wrote: I just got a used fish only set up and want to convert it to reef. My LFS advised that I run vinegar and tap water for 3 days before I start hauling RO jugs to start the cycling process. Any thoughts?
Thanks for the help
Stephen
Chony;720995 wrote: Thanks for all the advice. I really hate relying on sources that I have not qualified as being credible. I really appreciate the help. I don't want this tank to be doomed from the start! Any other other tips on what to do before and during the cycle process?
Dakota9;721024 wrote: Yep, don't use the old sand. Buy new live sand. It's not much and will save you a lot of heartache.
Trying to wash the sand is a complete waste of time and effort.
I would disagree......
Even new live sand needs to be rinsed several times with saltwater to keep from getting a dust storm in your tank. If you're rinsing anyway, you might as well reuse the old, IMO.
Don't believe the print on the bag that reads "No rinsing required", or you'll have cloudy water for days, and again anytime the sandbed is disturbed....
Dakota9;721024 wrote: Yep, don't use the old sand. Buy new live sand. It's not much and will save you a lot of heartache.
Trying to wash the sand is a complete waste of time and effort.
I would disagree......
Even new live sand needs to be rinsed several times with saltwater to keep from getting a dust storm in your tank. If you're rinsing anyway, you might as well reuse the old, IMO.
Don't believe the print on the bag that reads "No rinsing required", or you'll have cloudy water for days, and again anytime the sandbed is disturbed....
Dakota9;721034 wrote: ^ Again, I disagree..... That cloudiness takes much longer to clear up than a few hours, and even then, as stated earlier, everytime the sandbed is disturbed, you water turns cloudy again, which THAT only lasts a few hours, thankfully.......
It matters little if you're rinsing poo or rinsing dust, both dirty and new sand needs to be rinsed, albeit dirty sand requires a bit more rinsing, but it saves you a trip to the LFS.....
ok...............skriz;721037 wrote: dont know what you're using, but craibsea doesn't need rinsing and will not cloud the water when disturbed. Dry sand, yes. "live sand", no.
In tens of thousands of gallons in tanks, it's only taken a few hours to clear up, never to get cloudy again. Maybe the filtration cleared it the first time, but subsequent disruptions are clear for me.