My new tank

[tmm16cbd]

Hey everyone! I've been stalking this forum in the shadows and observing for months as I slowly set up my tank. The longer and the more i learn, I realize I will never know enough [emoji5] I've been cycling my tank and letting things settle down for about 4 months with just live rock and synthetic live sand.

It's a 28 JBJ Nano cube
- 28 lbs cured live rock
- 1 bag of synthetic live sand
- Instant Ocean Reef Crystals salt

I left it like this just cycling for 3 months before sending in the clean up crew of 2 peppermint shrimp, and 6 hermit crabs of various species.

After a couple months of clean up crew I got two ocellaris, and a long tentacle anemone.

I understand that these anemones can be difficult to keep alive and happy, but I'm being very careful and taking every possible measure and precaution to make and keep it happy. I've done my research, and like everything I feel I can never do enough, but I'm confident that I can keep it.

As a newby however I'm definitely still learning and looking for any suggestions or recommendations if you are kind enough to take your time to offer them!

 

[tmm16cbd]

Yes the anemone has been moving and hasn't found his home yet, but he is doing ok.

I do know after placing him on the rocks (and after doing more research) that he would probably be happier on the sand bed in his own little hole, but I don't want to risk hurting him by pulling him off the rocks

 

[Xxero]

Fun stuff! Looks good!

One recommendation I'll toss your way is to get a handful of Nassarius Snails for your sand bed. They'll keep it churned up, plus they're a great part of a cuc. They're like zombies when it comes to rotting flesh, and they can sniff it out from miles away.

GL and enjoy your tank! :bigeyes:

 

[tmm16cbd]

Fun stuff! Looks good!

One recommendation I'll toss your way is to get a handful of Nassarius Snails for your sand bed. They'll keep it churned up, plus they're a great part of a cuc. They're like zombies when it comes to rotting flesh, and they can sniff it out from miles away.

GL and enjoy your tank! :bigeyes:

Thanks for the suggestion. Only thing I've got an issue with is that I've heard that snails will multiply like rabbits and are escape artists getting out and such. Am I wrong?

 

[Xxero]

Some snails do. But IME with Nassarius Snails, I've never had any population booms. (I actually wish they would!) They also mostly stay underneath the sand, only coming out at night or when they smell flesh. They will occasionally climb the glass, but they have no interest there. They turn right back around or just let go and jump back onto the sand!

They're great at righting themselves if turned over, and I've never seen any other tank inhabitants pay them any attention. :bigeyes:

 

[tmm16cbd]

Oh! They sound awesome! I'll have to find me some!

 

[kmbyrnes]

Good work on going slow. and +1 to Nassarius snails. I have a bunch that I never see unless I am digging for them. Great sand churners.

 

[Squibege]

I'll def need to grab some of those snails as well!

Your nem looks awesome!

 

[zoasguy]

Wow good job waiting four months. Is that overkill though?

 

[Deberber]

Looks like a great tank! Just my opinion, but if you do ever find yourself needing more snails other than nassarius, you may need to get the hermit crabs out besides the scarlet, if you have any. Hermit crabs will love to get a hold of your snails for an extra treat. Besides, peppermint shrimp will do the same as the crabs do and the nassarius will take care of the sand bed.

It wouldn't hurt to add a turbo snail or two in there either for the rocks. Astrea snails are also helpful as well.

 

[Stickgal]

Great looking tank!

 

[brianr24]

Lol yeah my hermits were running around with new nassarius snail shells on them within a week.

 

[tmm16cbd]

Thanks guys! 4 months without fish may have been overkill, but I didn't want to rush things and kill the poor fish, and so far I think it has paid off. My clowns took very quickly to the tank, and I haven't had any issues with the anemone either, besides the newb concerns that seasoned anemone owners will know like shrinking and growing lol.