A little guidance please

[t kish]

My 46g aquarium has been running for a month now, last week I finished adding the last of the rock and all tests are good.
I have a 35g sump with rock in it as well.

Today I added a half dozen Cerinth and Nas snails plus four Blue legged Hermits.

Keeping in mind that I am in no hurry at all were should I go next and what kind of time table should I be looking at.

The books I have read really don't discuss the time table they simply say take it slow.

Thanks for your help.

T Kish

 

[kraze3]

I say see how thse critters keep up with your tank. if your still getting some algaes etc add some more. Once you get your clean up crew set then you can work on a first fish.

 

[t kish]

Well one things for sure the C.C. wasted no time going to work.
Should I wait maybe a month before adding anything other than more C.C.?

Thanks for your reply Kraze3

T Kish

 

[kraze3]

I dont think you need to wait a whole month. I think you need some more additions to the clean up crew though. I have 15-20 snails, 10-12 hermits, and 2 emerald crabs in my 29 gallon. Once you see that your CUC is keeping up with the tank then you can add a fish. If your going to be QTing the fish for 4-6 weeks then I would go ahead and add to my QT now. As long as your parameters are in check you should be ok.

 

[t kish]

Good point on the QT , I may pick up the first fish this weekend and let him rest for a few weeks.

One other question and I am sure it has been asked many times before.

When would I want to start doing water changes?

Sorry for sounding like such a newb but I am LOL.

T Kish

 

[thegrun]

Now would be a good time for a water change, it's recommended to do a water change right after you complete your cycle. What is your Nitrate level (if you do not know, you should have your water tested)? Are you going to keep coral or only fish? You can add soft corals as soon as your cycle is complete and your nitrate level is down. Corals add little to your bio-load, so you can add a few easy to care for ones right away. For fish, I'd only add one a week.

 

[Kenmx10]

IMO, Its alittle soon on the Inverts. They can be delicate to sudden changes in water params. I would wait at least 3 months and let your tank go thru its cycles. And till your system is established with a few fish. They also feed off food left over from the fish, and from the fish waste. They could starve, unless you are feeding them.

 

[t kish]

I have been testing the water every couple days for the last month now and have not seen any cycle at all.
All tests are perfect.

Ill do my first water change today and put that water in the QT.

I definitely want corals but I think I will wait and add a fish first just in case that starts a mini cycle.

I am in no hurry and want to do this properly.

Thanks T Kish

 

[acrouse]

t kish- you are very smart for a beginner! I say this because you already have the most important aspect of saltwater down--that is take your time-nothing fast happens in saltwater that is good.

A few suggestions

--you mentioned wanting corals sometime down the road.-- now is the time to choose your fish list carefully !! Obviously you want coral safe fish-also its good to do a wish list because some fish need added last to your main display to keep their aggressiveness down to a minimum.

---QT QT QT-always QT every fish you buy for a good 4- 6 weeks. Getting in this habit from the start will save you many $$$ and headaches down the road. Some say they cant wait 6weeks to add a new fish to display tank---Just remember these fish can live for several years so giving up 6weeks to ensure you have a healthy fish is worth the wait. That is 6weeks per fish. The last thing a person wants is to hurry and add a new fish to the display --find out LATER, the fish had a disease and now you just jeprodized losing everything!!

--therefore, I would not suggested adding a fish per week as suggested above. In order to QT a fish or pair of fish properly they need to be in QT by themselves--as this is the time for them to destress -no other fish around to compete with while they get stronger-while you get the fish to eat/watch that the fish is eating -and watch for any signs of disease.(which can take a few weeks to show up).

Then if there is a sign of parasites/ich etc. you can easily treat in your QT. You do not have to worry about how to get the fish out of your larger tank and if you have infected your whole display tank. Some have to completely tear down the whole tanks and start over simply because they did not want to wait out the QT time, or they don't believe in QT'ing anything. Just remember that if your fish does come down with something--QT time starts all over once the symptoms have cleared up!

--if you QT properly and take your time, then you can be assured you have done your part to add only healthy fish to your main display and that they can be around for several years for you to enjoy.
--I think you would be fine to start your Qt now because it will be another 6weeks before anything is added to your tank.

--sounds like you are off to a good start with a good attitude.

Good Luck and Happy Reefing
jolene

 

[t kish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14758256#post14758256 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by acrouse
t kish- you are very smart for a beginner! I say this because you already have the most important aspect of saltwater down--that is take your time-nothing fast happens in saltwater that is good.

A few suggestions

--you mentioned wanting corals sometime down the road.-- now is the time to choose your fish list carefully !! Obviously you want coral safe fish-also its good to do a wish list because some fish need added last to your main display to keep their aggressiveness down to a minimum.

---QT QT QT-always QT every fish you buy for a good 4- 6 weeks. Getting in this habit from the start will save you many $$$ and headaches down the road. Some say they cant wait 6weeks to add a new fish to display tank---Just remember these fish can live for several years so giving up 6weeks to ensure you have a healthy fish is worth the wait. That is 6weeks per fish. The last thing a person wants is to hurry and add a new fish to the display --find out LATER, the fish had a disease and now you just jeprodized losing everything!!

--therefore, I would not suggested adding a fish per week as suggested above. In order to QT a fish or pair of fish properly they need to be in QT by themselves--as this is the time for them to destress -no other fish around to compete with while they get stronger-while you get the fish to eat/watch that the fish is eating -and watch for any signs of disease.(which can take a few weeks to show up).

Then if there is a sign of parasites/ich etc. you can easily treat in your QT. You do not have to worry about how to get the fish out of your larger tank and if you have infected your whole display tank. Some have to completely tear down the whole tanks and start over simply because they did not want to wait out the QT time, or they don't believe in QT'ing anything. Just remember that if your fish does come down with something--QT time starts all over once the symptoms have cleared up!

--if you QT properly and take your time, then you can be assured you have done your part to add only healthy fish to your main display and that they can be around for several years for you to enjoy.
--I think you would be fine to start your Qt now because it will be another 6weeks before anything is added to your tank.

--sounds like you are off to a good start with a good attitude.

Good Luck and Happy Reefing
jolene

Thank you for your kind words and your input.
I have a nice little 20g tank all set up for a QT and I have been running the filter in my sump for over a week , so when I do the water change later today I will put the old water in the QT and move the filter from the sump to the QT , that should help stabilize the QT.

I have also been working on a fish list as well

In order of stocking

Royal Gramma x1
Firefish x1
Yellow Watchman Goby x2
Percula Clown x2

Of coarse this will be done over a long period.
My only concern is that a couple of them are known jumpers and I am topless.

Other than that am I in the ball park on my list , any other suggestions?

Thanks again T Kish

 

[acrouse]

WOW-your fish will love all the room in the QT.

Suggestions for QT---
-Just make sure to add something for your fish to hide in. (a piece of white PVC pipe works good) its also easy to clean and sanitize.
-also, its a good practice to keep anything you use in your QT seperate (nets, brushes, etc). Do not use it in your main display just in case there are parasites, ich etc. in QT.
-I kept 2-3 pieces of filter media in the sump when I first started out and knew I would be using my QT for several months strait while getting my fish added to the display. The reason for this-I got rid of the filter after each QT. Especially if a disease breaks out. You do not want to chance putting the filter back in your sump and introduce chemicals/disease to the main display.

--as for your topless tank, you may really run the risk of losing fish. Is there anyway to put a screen over the top? Something that will allow light in and keep fish in?
--as for the fish list specifically, I can't really help you. Only experience I have from your list , is with Percula Clowns(which I love). They are such personable fish that like to stay up by the front glass!! They are the fist 2 fish I see everytime I go by my 180 gallon.

good luck
jolene

 

[snorvich]

Firefish jump so a topless tank won't be a good thing for that fish. While everyone buys a pair of clownfish, keep in mind that a couple of years down the line, when they are sexually mature, they will mate and be aggressive. I don't think you can have two yellow watchmen gobies if my memory serves me well.

In general, GOOD job going slowly. Develop your process. Then add animals. But do feed your clean up crew!

 

[t kish]

[
In general, GOOD job going slowly. Develop your process. Then add animals. But do feed your clean up crew! [/B][/QUOTE]

I thought the clean up crew lived off the algae , what should I be feeding them ?

T Kish

 

[reefworm]

Let me add my congrats on a terrific start! As to the inverts, I'd wait a bit before adding any since they'll want for detritus until you introduce some fish. The ceriths should be ok, but the nass will need some food as was pointed out. Feed the tank just what you'd feed the fish, in somewhat smaller amounts and they should be fine as well. In fact, its fun to watch them come out of the sand like the night of the living dead once they detect food in the column