Question on setting up new tank with Aragonite substrate:

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Erosas96
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Question on setting up new tank with Aragonite substrate:

Post by Erosas96 »

Hello, so I finally have gotten a few important items necessary to make the transition for my year old GSP!! I'm so excited to upgrade him into his new tank. I do have some questions.. This is my first time using Aragonite crushed sand by Caribsea, my question is on the cycling and introduction to the fish once its appropriate. So since the new tank is new what are some things to keep in mind when setting up and before adding my GSP into its new home. I was thinking of obviously rinsing both 10lb bags of the Argnte sand inside of the same bags before adding it to the tank. Second I was thinking of using the Conch shell from Cancun that is huge and it acts like his little den/cave and its obviously already covered in beneficial bacteria as well as the medium orange flat stone that he likes to lounge on and lastly I want to add the handfull of Lava rocks and the Sponge filter that has been housing the bacteria and doing a great job of filtering the water parameters into the new tank. My main concern and question is if It would not be a great idea to wait atleast 12 hours before adding the fish to the new tank in fear of some sort of spike in water chemistry.. Basically, what would be the smartest approach from moving him from his old tank which doesnt have any substrate into a whole new tank with a substrate that is very beneficial for my buddy but Im scared if the change in the PH from a low range to the normal ranges of about 8.2. I do have him at a salinity level of about 0.0015-0.0020 atm... Please let me know a more effective way of the moving process. Thank you! :D
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Pufferpunk
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Re: Question on setting up new tank with Aragonite substrate:

Post by Pufferpunk »

I would rinse this in a 5g bucket. You will find a TON of dust in there.
You need to add the fish quickly to keep your bacteria fed.
What size tank is this? At that SG, I would suggest going SW by adding a protein skimmer & cured live rock. A 40-55g would be great for that.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
Erosas96
Puffer Fry
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2025 1:52 pm
Location (country): United States

Re: Question on setting up new tank with Aragonite substrate:

Post by Erosas96 »

Thank you!
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