I thought I was doing well untill I spoke with a LFS looking for a new Salifert test kit. The individual asked me about my setup which I told him was as follows:
90 Gal tank
Amiracle MR-300 filter
Iwaki md40rlt pump
angstrom 25w uv
emperor aquatics series two skimmer and overflow
2 zoomed powersweep powerheads (no longer sweeping)
90lbs walt smith fiji rock
70lbs of Florida crushed coral.
When I advised about the crused coral the "Sales" person acted like the world just ended and I would never have any success whatsoever, due to tthe fact that I used crushed coral. I did some research on the topic beforehand and to me it looked like an argument that has been going on since the beginning of time, live sand vs. crushed coral vs. aragonite substrates. He asked why I put the coral in the system and I told him that my LFS advised that they have been using it for many years on 300+ tanks with no problems. He then stated that they have no idea what they are talking about and I should return the coral to them and buy his live sand at $37.99 per 20lb bag. Then he began to talk about how ugly crushed coral is and how my nitrites, nitrates and every other water parameter will spike and lead to my ultimate failure. Quite honesty theis SALES person's opinion was discounted by me quite quickly because of his rude and arrogant maner in getting his point accross. If I truly did the wrong thing, I have no problem in taking the coral out and repalcing it with some other substrate, although I won't buy it from that man's store. Right now I'm cycling the tank with the rock and my ammonia is zero my nitires are at 2ppm, nitrates 30 ppm, ph 8.3. I'm going to wait AT LEAST one monthe befor adding any fish and corals are not anticipated in the near or distant future. Am I doing the right thing by leaving the substrate or is this guy just trying to make a sale. By the way he also tried to sell me uncured rock for 8.00 a lb, he must really need to pay the rent.
I'm sorry, I lost my manners- I'm brand new to the board as well and want to say hello to everyone out there. So far everyone but one person in this hobby has ben fantastic! I hope that trend continues!
Thanks
Dave
90 Gal tank
Amiracle MR-300 filter
Iwaki md40rlt pump
angstrom 25w uv
emperor aquatics series two skimmer and overflow
2 zoomed powersweep powerheads (no longer sweeping)
90lbs walt smith fiji rock
70lbs of Florida crushed coral.
When I advised about the crused coral the "Sales" person acted like the world just ended and I would never have any success whatsoever, due to tthe fact that I used crushed coral. I did some research on the topic beforehand and to me it looked like an argument that has been going on since the beginning of time, live sand vs. crushed coral vs. aragonite substrates. He asked why I put the coral in the system and I told him that my LFS advised that they have been using it for many years on 300+ tanks with no problems. He then stated that they have no idea what they are talking about and I should return the coral to them and buy his live sand at $37.99 per 20lb bag. Then he began to talk about how ugly crushed coral is and how my nitrites, nitrates and every other water parameter will spike and lead to my ultimate failure. Quite honesty theis SALES person's opinion was discounted by me quite quickly because of his rude and arrogant maner in getting his point accross. If I truly did the wrong thing, I have no problem in taking the coral out and repalcing it with some other substrate, although I won't buy it from that man's store. Right now I'm cycling the tank with the rock and my ammonia is zero my nitires are at 2ppm, nitrates 30 ppm, ph 8.3. I'm going to wait AT LEAST one monthe befor adding any fish and corals are not anticipated in the near or distant future. Am I doing the right thing by leaving the substrate or is this guy just trying to make a sale. By the way he also tried to sell me uncured rock for 8.00 a lb, he must really need to pay the rent.
I'm sorry, I lost my manners- I'm brand new to the board as well and want to say hello to everyone out there. So far everyone but one person in this hobby has ben fantastic! I hope that trend continues!
Thanks
Dave