New 6 Gallon, few questions!

[Lbrench]

Hi!

After having my 55 gallon cichlid tank about a year I decided i wanted something small and SW to go in my kitchen, I went down to my LFS and bought the JBJ 6 Gallon Nano Cube for $80 (was on sale). I also got

5lbs of Live Rock
5lbs of Live Sand
3 Gallons of water from their filtration system on their main tank (they recommended mixing this with my water as it will help the cycle along.

I set it up and removed the ceramic rings and bio balls so the 3 compartments go 1. sponge 2. bag of Carbon 3. 106bph pump retuning water back in. After it has cycled I plan on adding a small CUC.

I plan on doing 20% water change per week after the cycle is done to keep up with maintenance.

I have a few questions about the tank and any help would be appreciated

1. Is 5lbs of LR enough in a 6 gallon tank?

2. I want have something like a small frogspawn and some easy to keep mushrooms, the lighting is a 18 watt 50/50 CF lamp for daylight operation and (2) Nite-Vu LED moonlights, is this enough to keep a very small frogspawn (for my clown to host) and some basic mushrooms?

3. I want to remove the carbon bag from the 2nd filter compartment and have maybe 1lb of live rock rubble in there so the compartments will go 1. Sponge/polyester filter floss 2.one pound of LR Rubble 3.return pump. Is this a good idea?

4. I want my live stock to be a small CUC, 1 clown and 1 skunk cleaner shrimp. Is that too much for this tank?

Pictures of the tank just sat there doing its cycle

[/URL][/IMG]

any info would be amazing!

thankyou!

Lynden

 

[Lbrench]

nobody?

 

[pow400]

I kept a 5 Gallon pico for around 5 months before tearing it down so I can point you in the right direction, more or less of course.

1. Is 5lbs of LR enough in a 6 gallon tank?

Yes, the general rule is a pound per gallon. The more the better but you are perfectly fine where you are at if you like your current rock work.

2. I want have something like a small frogspawn and some easy to keep mushrooms, the lighting is a 18 watt 50/50 CF lamp for daylight operation and (2) Nite-Vu LED moonlights, is this enough to keep a very small frogspawn (for my clown to host) and some basic mushrooms?

I used this light, Wave-point 12-Inch 16-Watt Super Blue and DaylightMicro Sun LED High Output Clamp Light, it worked great for its price point and I kept frogspawn. When I moved to a better light ( Kessil 360 ) on my 35G though growth exploded, but the wavepoint kept them alive, happy, and slowly growing ( other factors affect the growth too but just stating facts). I don't have experience with either of the lights above but hopefully someone else can help you in that area. Also be aware that a clownfish can often host a coral to death, especially a small one. If you can even get the clown to host it in the first place that is, its all random luck with clowns.

3. I want to remove the carbon bag from the 2nd filter compartment and have maybe 1lb of live rock rubble in there so the compartments will go 1. Sponge/polyester filter floss 2.one pound of LR Rubble 3.return pump. Is this a good idea?

Any reason for the LR Rubble? You have plenty of LR for the tank, it would be better to run the carbon in my opinion.

4. I want my live stock to be a small CUC, 1 clown and 1 skunk cleaner shrimp. Is that too much for this tank?

I had a clown in a 5 gallon, after seeing how clownfish act in larger tanks I recommend maybe getting a small goby fish instead. My clownfish lived and ate but other than that he never moved or explored. He just seemed sad and always hosted the mag float. I fought against the 10G minimum for clowns but I agree with it now. Bear in mind because of your back compartment the area the clownfish can host is actually smaller than 6 gallons ( I believe your tank is an AIO but I could be wrong ). A few snails, maybe a small cleaner shrimp and maybe a small goby would probably be the maximum for this tank if you want the fish to be happy

On the plus side you already have a 20% water change schedule going which is a good start. A good fish instead of a clown would be a clown goby, interesting little guys and I think the Citron ones look great.

 

[ryeguyy84]

I had a 4 gallon tank at work and it was a real PITA to keep up but it's doable. mine was up for about a year and then I changed jobs so I shut it down.

1. Is 5lbs of LR enough in a 6 gallon tank?
you're good here, water changes are going to be your main source of export.

2. I want have something like a small frogspawn and some easy to keep mushrooms, the lighting is a 18 watt 50/50 CF lamp for daylight operation and (2) Nite-Vu LED moonlights, is this enough to keep a very small frogspawn (for my clown to host) and some basic mushrooms?
you should be okay here as well, I don't have much experience with CF but you could add a small LED "accent" if they look like they need more light.

3. I want to remove the carbon bag from the 2nd filter compartment and have maybe 1lb of live rock rubble in there so the compartments will go 1. Sponge/polyester filter floss 2.one pound of LR Rubble 3.return pump. Is this a good idea?
I wouldn't do that. I don't know about this tank but the compartments were really small on mine and the rocks will just collect detritus. stick with the carbon or some GFO.

4. I want my live stock to be a small CUC, 1 clown and 1 skunk cleaner shrimp. Is that too much for this tank?
I agree with the above post about the clown. look at Gobies, they are fun little fish with personalities.


What are you doing for topoff? those little tanks will have large salinity swings if not topped off often.

 

[ryeguyy84]

oh and that rock on the left is going to make glass cleaning a nightmare haha.

And welcome to the addiction. . . I mean hobby!