crushed coral question

[kolopedo]

I am converting one of my 38gl tanks(currently occupied by 8, 4in silver dollars) into a Tanganyikan community tank. I dont want to completely break down the tank and have to recycle from scratch, so I am planning to mix about 20 lbs of crushed coral to an equal amount of existing gravel. Filtration is an undergravel filter as well as a whisper power filter. I will put in the appropriate amount of buffer to get my water chemistry to acceptable perameters for Tangs and of course test the water b4 adding fish( current values are: pH=6.4,Ammonia=.5ppm,Nitrite=0,GH=9dGH,KH=7dKH)
How long do you guys think that I should wait before attempting to reintroduce fish into the tank. How long will the already existing bacteria survive without any fish in the tank. Lastly, is it possible to rinse this **** coral clean(still milky water after 15 rinses).
Any help to make this a smooth transition will be tremendously appreciated. Also any other unforseen problems I should be concerned with?

[wetmanNY]

Any useful tipsfor you in the "Starting Over" folder under "SetUp" at www.skepticalaquarist.com ?

[somefinnfishy]

If you live in minneapolis or suronding area or all of MN exept like the sandstone area your PH out of the city or well is around 7.6-8.4 real close to where you need to be.The 50/50 mix on the CC and gravel should do the trick.But a 6.4Ph will melt those tangs.
BTW where do you shop in town I work at the best/biggest store in the state forest lake pets.We have like 100 african tanks all 30g or 40g breeders.
If you buy any chiclids buy them from rich or phil at forest lake or bob at world of fish.We kill WOF prices and selection but they are a very good fish store.

[Luca Brazzi]

Undergravel filters dont mix well with fish that like to dig.

You could add some clear ammo to the tank to keep it cycled while there are no fish in there.


The crushed coral alone, will more than likely not be able to keep the waters at the parameters reached by adding the buffer anyway, so you will be adding buffer at each water change, so why wait at all?

Instead of a store bought buffer, make your own:

1tbs Epsom salt/5gal
1tsp Baking Soda/5 gal
1tsp Tablesalt/5 gal