I'm an idiot...

I want to back track a little here basically to justify that you're not an idiot:grinyes:

This is also mainly the reason why I'm not convinced with Tampa Bay rock. Unless that rock is sent to you absolutely covered in water, taken from the sea and put into your tank within a couple of hours then you're going to have die off. (Even if it was soaking you'd probably still have a little bit of die off).

Unfortunately your tank is just cycling now - it's normal and happens to all of us and is the one of the main parts of setting up a tank correctly.

All these promises of creatures and corals that you get, I have always thought a waste, as it is likely that the cycle (ammonia - nitrIte - nitrAte) is going to kill them.

Don't get me wrong, I think the package sounds great and I've never used them myself but it does sound like you get too much too soon.:grinyes:

Basically your tank is cycling, you're going to get high readings which will kill the more sensitive of creatures. It ain't nothing you've done:grinyes:
 
OgreMkV said:
hooked, Ice, don't make me kill you...

Anyone know how long corals can go without food?
Click to expand...

catpicklesdog said:
I want to back track a little here basically to justify that you're not an idiot:grinyes:

This is also mainly the reason why I'm not convinced with Tampa Bay rock. Unless that rock is sent to you absolutely covered in water, taken from the sea and put into your tank within a couple of hours then you're going to have die off. (Even if it was soaking you'd probably still have a little bit of die off).

Unfortunately your tank is just cycling now - it's normal and happens to all of us and is the one of the main parts of setting up a tank correctly.

All these promises of creatures and corals that you get, I have always thought a waste, as it is likely that the cycle (ammonia - nitrIte - nitrAte) is going to kill them.

Don't get me wrong, I think the package sounds great and I've never used them myself but it does sound like you get too much too soon.:grinyes:

Basically your tank is cycling, you're going to get high readings which will kill the more sensitive of creatures. It ain't nothing you've done:grinyes:
Click to expand...

This may be my all-time favorite thread... death threats even. lol

Please keep posting updates Ogre. As entertaining as it is, it's also the first SW newbie thread (or group of threads) that's grabbed my interest. I hate the pain you're going through, but really do appreciate you sharing for those of us "contemplating" the dark side. :)
 
So far today... Talk about emotional roller coaster...

My skimmer came... YAY. It was the totally wrong one... crud.

Richard sent me a care package... YAY. My ammonia is between 1 and 2.5 and I have three mantis shrimp in the tank... crud.

I find a really smelly rock... YAY. Pulling it out causes an ammonia spike that has potentially killed everything in the tank... crud.

After I got the package from Richard, I made a mad dash to the LFS for water and to see what I could come up with to help the problem. since then, I've done two 7 gallon water changes. I also reinstalled my HOB filter. The movement and stuff was stirring everything up, so I said heck with it and started running the filter again.

I put a new foam pad, a new carbon bag, and a new ammo-pad in it. The only other thing I could have done with the ammonia was to dump a load of prime in. I wasn't sure how that would affect the cycle... so I'm holding off for now.

I'll do another WC in the morning and take my readings. I'm almost out of ammonia test solution. I've got enough water for a 5 gallon change and I'll have enough for another 5 gallon change by tomorrw morning.

Wish me luck. All the stuff I got from Tampabay is in a 5 gallon bucket with a small powerhead.



hooked, it wasn't a death threat... I didn't mention a caliber did I ;)
 
Ogre,

Thanks for keeping us updated on your new adventure into SW. I have enjoyed reading them.

I think once this all comes together it will be worth it for you and all of us at AC.

I also agree that your wife needs to video some of this.
 
Hi there,
Sorry if I missed it but how long ago did you get the first shipment? The second? I got rock from the same company and have LOVED it. Cycling was a breeze. I did get a mantis and couldn't trap the thing to save my life. I eventually found it's hidey hole and pulled the rock out long enough to pour boiling water in it! He came out then! The gorrilla crabs ate each other - no big deal...only one or two left. My husband likes to stalk them with shish-ka-bob sticks (spelling?). No isopods thank goodness and no major die off. I wonder how many of these issues you are having are caused by die off related to the damaged box? I didn't even have any real serious sponge die off...?

I hate that you are having such a bad time. Did I hear you say you had isopods? Remember that the brittle stars, g. crabs, and bristle worms are totally expected and normal. I'd try to eliminate the g crabs if time doesn't take care of it. The mantis probably needs to go...on the other hand, maybe he'll eat your g. crabs!
 
I saw someone recommended to leave the rock on newspaper for half and hour...unless you don't mind scrubbing all the sponge off, I would avoid that. It will likely kill the sponge and then you'll be critter free but dealing with sponge die off in the water.
 
Yup, I did see isopods in your first post. I just re-read it. Are you sure they are the bad kind? If so, the have big black eyes on them...Others are harmless I think. Maybe other members could jump in if I'm wrong.
 
Yes, the ones with large, well defined eyes are parasitic cirolanids. Do a google search to find Dr. Ron Shimek's nice article on them and their identification. More common are munnid and sphaeromatid isopods, which are completely harmless, if not beneficial.
 
Amphiprion said:
Yes, the ones with large, well defined eyes are parasitic cirolanids. Do a google search to find Dr. Ron Shimek's nice article on them and their identification. More common are munnid and sphaeromatid isopods, which are completely harmless, if not beneficial.
Click to expand...

Well that was a lovely article and inspiring article...

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/rs/index.php

It was definately one of the two cirolanid or Aegid. I'm thinking cirolanid, but I'm not an expert. Fortunately, I've only found two and they were both dead. I'll not be adding fish for months... probably not until October at this rate.

Something else in the tank that will attack me... yay.

Guys, please don't get me wrong. I'm going to love this tank and all my cool critters and stuff. It's just a battle right now and I'm weary and sore unto death. I can wait for all this to clear up. Thanks for listening to me bith and moan and trying to keep my spirits and my humor up.

I've joined two reef forums, but they aren't as just plain friendly as you guys are. Thank you all.

BTW: How on Earth did my main tank thread get the title "I'm an idiot"?
 
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