a little refresher

D

dagermain

New member
Hello,

I just got back into the hobby after 10 years or so out. I have a 55 reef ready with live rock and sand.

Even in the past, I was never terribly comfortable with coral/anemones, but I would like to try this time. How long should I wait before adding coral and fish? Thanks.
 
I would wait atleast 4 weeks maybe even a little longer. Have your water tested after four weeks and see where your at. Some people will say you can put some damsels or chromis (small fish) in your tank while it cycles but I say hold off till you know the tank is good to go. Need anything just post it this is a wonderful site to gain knowledge and make freinds. You coming to the frag swap in Jan ? Wish you the best !
 
Re: a little refresher

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13984471#post13984471 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dagermain
Hello,

I just got back into the hobby after 10 years or so out. I have a 55 reef ready with live rock and sand.

Even in the past, I was never terribly comfortable with coral/anemones, but I would like to try this time. How long should I wait before adding coral and fish? Thanks.
Click to expand...


Welcome dagermain. and glad you are back into the hobby. I agree with the above post, but just wanted to say Hi
 
You need to wait until your nitrates are zero before adding fish and inverts (basically the cleaning crew in this case). I would wait a couple of weeks after that to add some easy to keep corals. Longer than that for anemones as they can be hard to keep and research is especially in order for them as success will vary considerably between tank raised and different species.

[welcome]

Chris
 
Thanks for the welcomes and advice...I will try to hit the swap if I can.

I used etablished live rock and sand, so I am hoping I will only see a minimal cycle. So, I feel ok about when to add fish/inverts. I just have 0 experience with Corals and Anemones.

Ultimately, I will want nothing too difficult, but things that look good and from what I can tell that will still give me plenty to choose from. I will have to have a "nemo" and an anenome to appease the kids though.
 
Personally I would hold off on Anemones tell you find out what else you like and how much space you have. Some tend to be gypsies and wonder about stinging other things. But if you want some stuff and are close to the boro let me know I could get you some easy stuff to start with just give me a PM and we can arrange it. I have some real hardy stuff. And if you are a member it would be reaaal cheap :eek1: Just like a crack dealer the first sample is free.
 
Thanks for the offer, maybe we could meet up at the expo? I am happy to join the club, if the club can handle my ignorance beyond fish and lr/ls. When I worked at the LFS in college, almost no one would by coral, so I didn't get much exposure.

The anenome is for the kids, so I am pretty flexible on the type of anenome. I could just grow aptasia and call it an anenome tank.
 
Referring to your question in the other thread about two-part, here is the article that explains what it is and how to make it.

Two-part is essentially a very inexpensive, homemade dosing for alkalinity and calcium for your corals.

For a GREAT resource to all things chemistry related for your tank, this is what you want.

Some reading of those two links should provide an answer to just about any question you could have! ;)

Hope this helps!

Brandon
 
Wayne is not kidding, his stuff is REAL hardy! He is also not kidding about the crack samples part hehehehe. As a new member and a saltwater newb when I got here, I can say this club is awesome! People know their stuff, they are kind, generious, and helpful. Just come to the swap and youll see! ok must stop, gushing!
 
I wouldn't wait tell the swap because you may want to check some of this out before you go to the swap. Where do you live?
 
I am in Mount Juliet. I don't mind driving to Murfreesboro, I am just afraid it is too early in the tanks life to add anything?
 
I tested the tank and 1 week in there is no ammonia, nitrites or nitrates. I wonder if the lr/ls had enough bacteria to cover the system, or somehow there isn't enough die-off to start the cycle...

I probably get a few clean-up critters as some green film algae has started and some other kind of algae is growing very quickly on some of the rock. I have read a bunch on cleaning crews and everyone has a different opinion. For now, I want something for the film algae and this other algae. Any ideas?
 
Guess I should mention, the other algae has a stem with featherlike foliage coming off and is spreading along roots/tendrils.
 
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