Is it normal that......

[Bry17nyc]

I had to re-locate my tank so I did everything from scratch again
so my tank has 2days cycling but the problem is that the water SMELLS BAD!
Is that normal?
What could it be?


Btw I'm doing the shrimp method to cycle it... Maybe that's why right?

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Get the shrimp out. It probably doesn't need it. It should cycle on its own. Did you remove the sand and then put it back in?

 

[Imbarrie]

+1 take the shrimp out.

What does it smell like? Rotten eggs?

Are you using part of your old substrate and rocks?

 

[Bry17nyc]

Ok
I let the LR dry out
and the sand aswell but the sand was a little humid

 

[Bry17nyc]

Yes it kind of smells like that

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Did you rinse the sand before reusing it?

 

[Bry17nyc]

Yes i rinsed everything
and let everything dry

 

[FlyTekk]

If you let the live rock dry than you dont need the shrimp becuase the Rock should be infested with dead matter. I started my tank with Pukani rock from BRS which is dried rock. Looked beautiful and clean white. Smelled like *ss for months. And thats in a container with carbon and skimmer and 2 weeks in vinegar solution.\

Remove the shrimp and let rocks cycle. Use a skimmer and water changes and carbon to help with smell. Also use alot of flow. The more flow the better.

Keep us posted.

 

[Bry17nyc]

Ok
took the shimps out lastnight and no bad smell today!
I guess it was the shrimp
tested my water today and the ammonia is HIGH but the nitrite is HIGHER
is it going in the right track?

 

[Deep Dive Coral]

Yes. Ammonia ---) nitrite ----) nitrate... You are on the right track.

 

[Bry17nyc]

Ok
I haven't posted anything in a little while, now my tank is half way cycled !
And on it's 15th day (past Sunday) NITRITE was 0ppm NITRATE was 3.0ppm but the AMMONIA tested 0.25ppm.. I though the ammonia was suppose to go down to 0 before nitrite do is this normal?

Another thing.... The water in the tank evaporate fast! In 15 days I've added water like 4 times already
what's the evaporation rate suppose to be on a 90 gallon? What can I do to slow it down?

Other than that everything is going fine thank god

 

[46nBliss]

evaporation will vary from tank to tank.

you can add a Automatic Top off unit to your fresh water reservoir, this will keep your tank replenished with fresh water when there is evaporation.

 

[STHILL]

I used to put a gallon a day in my 90 gal sometimes more

 

[Bry17nyc]

Oh wow
I think I'll have to buy a RO/DI filter

would a fan on top of the sump lower the evaporation?

 

[46nBliss]

Oh wow
I think I'll have to buy a RO/DI filter

would a fan on top of the sump lower the evaporation?

Adding a fan will cool your tank but it will increase evaporation.

Yes def get a RO/DI it will be a really good investment.

 

[Bry17nyc]

this are some pics of the tank...
this is the first day
(without rocks)

and this is aquascaped

sorry for the pic quality
they were from my cell

 

[Bry17nyc]

can i add cheato to my sump while is cycling?

 

[Bry17nyc]

??

 

[Bry17nyc]

i did a 20 gallon water change and my ammonia finally went down to 0 or really really close to it...ill wait another week and test again and hopefully my tank will be cycled by then!!!..

anything else i shoud keep in mind?