new tank

[Bergy]

there isnt a 'time frame' that has to pass before things are ready...Each tank is seperate.

But, like greg is stating, (being blunt), you really need to understand the process.. at least attempt to understand the process... if you try and have specific questions we can do that..

If you want me or someone to say...

STEP ONE.  do this

STEP TWO do that..


and when you finsih the steps go ahead and enjoy.. then no. i dont think you will find that here

And that doesnt happen cause we are mean or not willing, but first and foremost, there isnt a step one and a step two...
there are so many different ways to do things and there are so many different ways you can put things together that makes it totally different, that it just isnt practical to do a 'step one step two, kinda thing


this is why this hobby is not PLUg AND PLAY

and

this is why there is a lot of atrophy in this hobby and frustration...



But, with all that being said...I do think it imopportant to deal with the specific issue of your tank and the current condition, and with the 'unknown issues/causes of death/failure...


I do think your tnak needs a to be scratched...  you need to sanitize it... if you have access to live rock and sand, great, then just toss yours... and get new...

But first, i would clean the tank like greg said...  soak/scrub the tank with bleach/water mix, and then rinse with fresh water/ttap water... and repeat as necessary to get your tank squeeky clean..

when all done, soak in tap water for a LONG Time, and if you want, you can soak in a vinegar/water mix to nuetralize the bleach...

when all done, then soak in tap water with 'declorinator stuff...




After that is all done, then setup your tank as if you were going to put fish in it... that is.. put your water/sand/rock in it, and setup the aquascape and all that...

Put your equipment online, i.e. your filter, your heater, etc...

then your lights...


and start your 'cycle process from that point on...


btw:  my computer is all fast and everything since i reinstalled windows, but for some reason the text entry screween for typing these messages... is all whack... i cant see what i am typing and the text is all 'jumpy'


wierd

[Learner]

for some reason the text entry screween for typing these messages... is all whack... i cant see what i am typing and the text is all 'jumpy'
wierd

I get that a lot ???

[Bergy]

hmmm... i will look into it...

I ahve a bunch of mods on this forum and will see if any of them have anything to do with text entry..

it really is annoying

[saltwaterpunk]

hehe yea i read it im just sooo anxxshusss!! i want to do it right.. sorry if i come off like an airhead haha..

[Just_Greg]

Bill,

i know what you mean about the text jumping thing...i get it too.

SWpunk,

we honestly do get the excitement you're feeling, and believe it or not, we still get excited about it (must be why Renee and i have so many tanx...14 counting the 65 gal HT i just set up).  the best thing to do once you get the tank up and cycling is to sit down and think about your stocking list and research each species and their care requirements/habits.  you may find that you need to tweak your setup a bit based on the list, and this is a good time to do that...BEFORE you get the fish home.

trust me, your enjoyment of the hobby and your charges will increase manyfold as your knowledge base increases.  i bet most noobs would be surprised at the amount of time most "advanced" hobbyists spend hitting the books, forums, conferences, etc.

i'll take this time to suggest getting a good general book on the hobby such as:

The Conscientious Marine Aquarium by Bob Fenner

or

Advanced Marine Aquarium Techniques by Jay Hemdal (don't let the name throw you...it's a great book)

just to show you that i'm serious about having books, here's a small list of books that i highly recommend (some are specialty books, but most are not):

http://www.lionfishlair.com/books/books.shtml

[saltwaterpunk]

ok thanks.. i knew there was a reason for my campus library =]. other then sleeping
 i know u have like exotic fish  have u seen the one that looks like a lizard. its from mexico and has like things sticking out of its head.. The Mexican walking fish is on the verge of extinction. It’s a caecilian (more about that in a bit), and it lives in – where else? – the waters off Mexico. It’s also important because it will be the only cute animal in this entire post. Awww. It really is cute, isn’t it? It’s always nice to start things off gently. Digital foreplay, if you will.

[RandyFolds]

Caecilians are amphibians....

[Just_Greg]

agreed, Lanny.  it's an Axolotl, which is best described as a gilled salamander, and are indeed quite cool (i used to keep one as a kid).  they are also found in NZ.

[Bergy]

digital foreplay???

I know it's been a while for me, but if it ends up being digital, then i guess I aint missin much!

[RandyFolds]

agreed, Lanny.  it's an Axolotl, which is best described as a gilled salamander, and are indeed quite cool (i used to keep one as a kid).  they are also found in NZ.

Gilled salamanders also exist along the length of the Mississippi and the nearby waterways. I used to catch all sorts of them at my cabin back in the day.

Still not a caecilian though...

There are a bunch of salamanders that have gills during development and then shed them for lungs upon adulthood, but a few relics remain (family Proteidae).

[RandyFolds]

Also, aren't Aztec words awesome...axolotl...lol

[RandyFolds]

Why won't it let me modify my post? All salamanders... I started that sentence one way and finished it a different way. I hate when I do that.

There are a bunch of salamanders that have gills during development and then shed them for lungs upon adulthood, but a few relics remain (family Proteidae).