New Nano Setup.

[DaveMilly]

Hi Guys, I'm looking for abit of noobie advice, and was hoping that you guys could help me. After a fair few years perfecting the freshwater hobby, I've decided to branch out to the marine side of fish keeping and have ordered a nano marine set up from my LFS.

The tank that I have ordered is this one :- http://www.aquariumsdelivered.co.uk/catalog/orca-tl550-nano-marine-reef-aquarium-cabinet-p-871.html

I've managed to get a great deal in my opinion, the deal includes everything needed to start up the tank.

Sand
RO Saltwater
Premium Fiji LR
All the required Marine Test Kits.

When I goto the LFS to collect the equipment I will also be purchasing some LR rubble to replace the Bio Balls in the filter system also. Aswell as obtain a Hydrometer/Refractometer and all the little neccessary equipment like magnetic algae cleaner, new nets, buckets etc. Is there anything else I will need? Obviously I'll need extra Salt Mix. How long can RO water be stored for? Does it have a quick expiry date?

I was planning on setting up the tank and placing in the LR on the 12th of June. Then around 10 days later, aslong as the water parameters are fine placing in my CUC. Then 7 days after that placing in my first fish. Does this sound fine, or slightly on the rushed side?

Next issue is how many fish to stock, what type of fish to stock, and in what order to stock.

What im hoping for:

Clean up Crew:

3x Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp
6x Cerith Snails
4x Nassarius Snails
2x Turbo Snails

I've decided to edge away from the Hermits, as i've heard bad reviews, but please let me know if they are VERY beneficial. How does my CUC look?

Fish Livestock:

2x False Percula Clownfish
1x Royal Gramma
1x Purple Firefish
1x Bicolor Blenny
1x Yellowtail Damsel

I've heard damsels are best added last due to terrotory disputes, is this true?

Im thinking a SG of 1.023 and a temp of 24.5 should be ok.

Anyone have any advice, criticisms etc?

Thanks
Dave

 

[DaveMilly]

25 views and no answers

 

[fishysmell]

Looks like a good start to me. Personally I'd wait a solid 2 weeks for adding the CUC and another 2 weeks before adding fish...a month total.

You're right about the damsel...I actually had on in my 72 that was terrorizing everything in the tank even after adding him last...now he's the only fish in one of my nanos. Maybe leave the damsel out because honestly 6 fish in a 30ish gallon tank is a tad much.

I can't answer your question about storing RO (I'm assuming you're talking about store bought water) but will highly recommend purchasing your own RO system...it'll save you time and money in the long run.

Good luck!

 

[DaveMilly]

thanks for the luck, i'll need it im sure, and no doubt there will be a few hiccups along the way.

I'll take your advice on the CUC+fish adding timescale, although testing the water every 2 days should give me a clearer indication of the right time to add the fish after the cycle has finished etc.

The yellowtail damsel is gorgeous, vivid colourings, shame about its annoying attitude. 6 is abit too much i agree, so I guess i'll pass on that one.

Is it fine to add 2 clowns first?

ty.


Also yes the RO water is store bought, the reason why I'm asking is, i'm a student, so having an RO system constantly plugged into the kitchen sink might annoy my housemates slightly

 

[james3370]

i have a fuji damsel in my biocube8 w/ a purple pseudo & a purple lobster & they all get along fine....all 3 are suppose to be agressive to other fish & there is pretty much none to each other. in fact, during lights out, the fuji & pseudo goto the same cave in the rock

i will tell ya this, if ya add the damsel & then decide to take him out, you can count on taking ALL the rock & a good portion of the water out to catch the lil f'er cause they are QUICK lol

 

[DaveMilly]

Yeah, im totally unsure on what to do. so how many fish would you suggest?

5? I'm hoping 6! Please say 6 If its 5, ive got a decision to make, Do i want just 1 clown or 2, I kind of want two, because if i buy them young, I'd love to see them couple up.

Does my cleanup crew sound abit excessive for a 29gallon?

thanks for your input

 

[CurvBall]

Make sure you get good quality liverock in your tank to start with including substrate... introducing unwanted nutrients in the beginning makes for a continues uphill battle with algae - regardless of your clean up crew... but yeah, sounds good.

It is much better to get 2 clowns - the interaction between the two will be briliant.

Good luck and be sure to post some photos soon.

 

[DaveMilly]

Yeah, the LR i'm getting is A+ Premium Fiji Rock, one of my mates bought some from the same place a few months back, was good quality he said.

Yeah the two Clowns are a must I'm thinking. The royal gramma is another must, as I love the colourings. I guess the others will be a purple firefish and a bicolor blenny. Thats 5 fish. Depending on water parameters, amount of LR and swimming space I might try a yellowtail damsel.

I'll post you some pictures in 9 days time of the initial setup, and I'll take it from there. It will be good to post pictures and update whats going on with the tank, that way I can ask for advice and people can point me in the next direction for the setup

Thanks again for the advice, its invaluable

 

[suitsnakes]

You asked if you should put the two clownfish in first--I don't think so! My clownfish became dominant in the tank very quickly and when I introduced a purple firefish (which was very timid, as I think many of them tend to be) he chased it around and we had to return it. I think clownfish tend to feel at home quickly and consider the tank their own in many cases, so maybe you'd want to add them after a couple of the more timid fish settle in.

 

[DaveMilly]

Thanks for the advice.

I was contemplating a yellow watchman goby, purple firefish, two clowns, and maybe if my bio load (will decide at a later date) can take it, a royal gramma.

If all of them are possible i should do it this way...?

Firefish
Goby
Clowns
Gramma

 

[unda_da_see]

if you go to liveaquaria they have a compatibility chart for fish. take your time and add fish gradually( you will have more fun that way) and add the most aggressive(gramma) last. blue and red leg hermits are actually great part of cleanup crew, just as important as snails. save some money and get a hydrometer vs. a refactometer and calibrate it to a refractometer at a fish store for accuracy.

 

[DaveMilly]

Yeah, but hydrometers give false readings at different temperatures, I think im best just biting the bullet and getting a refractometer from the off, that way I wont spend money on a hydrometer, to eventually put it in the bin and get a refractometer anyway.

With regards to clownfish. They don't get terrotorial when juveniles? I'm not buying a mated pair, just two young'uns. So for a while I don't see terretorial issues being a problem with them. I might be wrong, but thats what i'm thinking.

 

[suitsnakes]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15145510#post15145510 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DaveMilly
With regards to clownfish. They don't get terrotorial when juveniles? I'm not buying a mated pair, just two young'uns. So for a while I don't see terretorial issues being a problem with them. I might be wrong, but thats what i'm thinking. [/QUOTE

You know what, you might be right. maybe you should try it and let us know what happens! but I'm sure it'll be fine :rollface:

 

[DaveMilly]

lol, i sense sarcasm suitsnakes.....

I'm off on Friday to pick up the equipment, heres a list that i'm getting. Maybe some info/direction would be good

Orca TL 550 Tank
RO/DI Water
Salt
Sand
12kg Live Rock
Refractometer/Hydrometer
Test Kits
Koralia 1 or 2 (Help needed - or maybe 2x Koralia 1's)
Digital Thermometer

 

[jdm18honda]

Can't wait for the pics

 

[supertech99]

I always wanted a yellowtail but did not want to put one in my reef so when I started a nano i got one with a firefish, both were very young and they have done great with no aggression. Hopefully he will not turn nasty as he gets older but so far he is calm! I think getting it a a young age may help. If you get clowns, go with two for sure! they will be very happy together as it allows for clear gender roles. FYI IMO hermits are fun to watch in a nano and the occasional snail murder is ok by me

 

[DaveMilly]

Yeah, ive been contemplating a few hermits, i don't mind a few murdered snails, aslong as they get eaten and dont give me an ammonia spike. The fish i'm going for are.

2x False Perc Clowns
1x Yellow Watchman Goby
1x Bicolor Blenny
1x Royal Gramma

I think thats quite highly stocked, so i think that will do. Not totally sure, the only one im sure about are the Clowns, 2 clowns are a must. I want colour and activity for the others, so time will tell.