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What equipment will i need for a larger tank?

Discussion in 'Saltwater Fish Forum' started by California Cowgirl, Jun 6, 2009.

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  1. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    and lostanime you're not sounding argumentative to me, i totally appreciate all of your guy's opinions and experience and what not, it will help me learn more about what i need to know
     
    California Cowgirl, Jun 21, 2009
    #121
  2. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Your tank still isn't cycled ????
     
    Anthony, Jun 21, 2009
    #122
  3. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    i guess not :/ i'ts been up and running for like 1 + years
     
    California Cowgirl, Jun 21, 2009
    #123
  4. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    but i did have to do like a 50% water change last week because we had to move the tank to a different spot since we put my new tank where this tank was. Could the large water change mess up the paremeters *sp*
     
    California Cowgirl, Jun 21, 2009
    #124
  5. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Doing large water changes doesn't reset your cycle. Your beneficial bacteria is what eats the ammonia in the water.
     
    Anthony, Jun 21, 2009
    #125
  6. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    ohhh then what could be the cause of the tank not being fully cycled?
     
    California Cowgirl, Jun 21, 2009
    #126
  7. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Are you cleaning the filter pad under fresh tap water ?
     
    Anthony, Jun 21, 2009
    #127
  8. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    yea i take out the pad when it get's really gross and i rinse off the black thing in front and use like a brush or sponge to get whatever is left inside the filter
     
    California Cowgirl, Jun 21, 2009
    #128
  9. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    there's your issue. Use the tank water to clean it. Your removing all your benef. bacteria by using "sink" water.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Jun 21, 2009
    #129
  10. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Yep yep, there's the problem.
     
    Anthony, Jun 21, 2009
    #130
  11. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    ohhhhhhh i never knew that it would be ok to use the tank water, i usually clean the filter after i do the water changes, so i guess now i'll clean the filter first then do the water change. What about when i clean the protei skimmer cup, is it ok to use sink water to clean the cup itself to get whatever chuncks that get in there or do i dump it into the tank water as well and use the tank water to clean it
     
    California Cowgirl, Jun 21, 2009
    #131
  12. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    hahaha lol at least that's an easy problem to fix then.
     
    California Cowgirl, Jun 21, 2009
    #132
  13. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    How often are you cleaning the filter ?

    Yeah, rinsing the protein skimmer cup is perfectly fine.
     
    Anthony, Jun 21, 2009
    #133
  14. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    and i guess it will be pointless for me to check my parematers tomorrow sincei cleaned the filter with sink water today. Also what about my freshwater filters? do i use there tank water to clean the filters as well?
     
    California Cowgirl, Jun 21, 2009
    #134
  15. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    it usually seems to build up every 2 weeks so that's about how often i clean it, but i check the pad every week to see how it looks
     
    California Cowgirl, Jun 21, 2009
    #135
  16. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    I myself use my "removed" water to clean my filter media...when it gets to the end I place a dishpan in the sink under the python to collect the removed water...swish things about in it...and return them back to the tank without getting all the muck throughout the tank.
    Not sure if that's the perfect way, but I've tested my water and haven't found any issues as a result of doing it that way.

    Everytime I tried cleaning it in the actual tank it made it all kucky even with the partial...I thought it was just gross!
     
    MOD_Dawn, Jun 21, 2009
    #136
  17. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    haha lol i'll try that i was also was wondering what if the black beads or whatever the are that still remain in the thing that goes inside the filter pad get all in the water, that would be a huge mess to clean up
     
    California Cowgirl, Jun 21, 2009
    #137
  18. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    oh also with me planning on ordering the equipment tomorrow what subtrate do you suggest i get? My puffer sleeps in his subtrate so i have to also think of something that won't injure him at all when he sleeps so is there a live sand for reef subtrate that dr fosters and smith sells, since that's where i plan to get my stuff
     
    California Cowgirl, Jun 21, 2009
    #138
  19. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    I wouldn't purchase live sand online. They expire and with the heat from the summer I would worry about the heat killing any bacteria/organisms in the bag that may still be alive.
     
    Anthony, Jun 21, 2009
    #139
  20. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    ok i guess i'll wait on the sand then and i was looking at the heaters, how do i know if one is going to be "strong" enough for the size of my tank
     
    California Cowgirl, Jun 21, 2009
    #140
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