New to saltwater with an established tank

[jeffro217]

Hi everyone, I`m Jeff.


So I`m pretty green when it comes to saltwater tanks. Have done some research and decided to jump in. I recently...Like as recent as 10am this morning, picked up a 28 gallon nano cube. The previous owner had several fish and a clean up crew in it prior to me taking it home. I was lucky enough to have brought home all of the water they had in it. I did do a 5 gallon water change. They gave me all the live rock about 12 lbs. and told me the tank has been up and running for several years. They assured me in 24 hours it would be ready for a CUC and should be a healthy tank. 6 hours after move and water change all my water tests have been great!! I`ll be heading out tomorrow for a crew...or am I jumping the gun? If its anything like my freshwater experience and everything I`ve read...the prior owner would be correct and the tank would not cycle as its already been established? Thanks for any feed back!!!

 

[mcgyvr]

correct... as long as you didn't let the rock dry out or sit out of water for more than a few hours there should be no cycle..
But I personally would still wait 1 week just to be safe then start adding stuff..

 

[CrayolaViolence]

Make sure to double check the list of fish that can go in a tank that small. You're probably looking at 2-3 small fish, blennies or clowns, and fire fish and such.

 

[JUNBUG361]

Agree to both comments ^ ^

 

[jeffro217]

Thanks for the advice!! Everything is looking great in this tank!! I`ll post a few photos once I`m stocked!!

 

[fishchef]

Are you reusing substrate? I imagine you are doing nitrite and ammonia tests. I would add a little pure ammonia, no soap, test for ammonia, and see how long it takes to cycle. Better to be safe. If your using old substrate you may still need to let it cycle.

 

[jeffro217]

Are you reusing substrate? I imagine you are doing nitrite and ammonia tests. I would add a little pure ammonia, no soap, test for ammonia, and see how long it takes to cycle. Better to be safe. If your using old substrate you may still need to let it cycle.

I see where you are coming from, but have been told by many people...This was an existing tank.... had been up and running for several years. Had about 6 different types of coral and 2 clown fish. The previous owner gave me everything...tank, live rock, live sand and the water. I did approximately a 5-6 gallon water change on day 1. ammonia has been at 0 calcium about 420, kh is a bit high at 11 but have yet to check it today. phosphate is 0 and nitrate also 0. definitely holding off on any coral, added 5 hermit crabs at the recommendation of the previous owner. so far so good!! I do seem to see a lot of solids in the water, wondering .... 1. Should I possibly change my filter media? I'm running with a sponge in the top chamber of the filter basket and a chemi-pure blue all in one filter media bag...that was recommended by the reef store I bought my ro from. and 2. I have a protein skimmer on order shows up for delivery Thursday....will that help with the solids??

 

[fishchef]

Good luck.

 

[CButkos]

Dont forget to feed the hermits. when you have no or few fish you aren't going to be feeding enough to sustain the little guys. So a few little pieces of fish food, I recommend fresh or frozen, or a few sinking pellets would probably suffice.

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[jeffro217]

Dont forget to feed the hermits. when you have no or few fish you aren't going to be feeding enough to sustain the little guys. So a few little pieces of fish food, I recommend fresh or frozen, or a few sinking pellets would probably suffice.

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Really?? Everyone including the reef store I`ve been visiting has told me absolutely do not feed the cleaner crew. I`m told if I feed them they will not clean the tank....so confused.... so many people and references stating opposite things..... think I'm going to stick to just asking questions to them. They seem to be very knowledgeable..and I never feel like they are trying to "sell" me anything.

 

[CButkos]

Go with the advice of the people you trust, but without fish and food there's nothing for them to clean up.

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