Newbie tank help

[CStrickland]

You won't get an accurate reading for nitrates until the nitrites are eaten up, they mix up the trate test.

Adding more live rock to your tank can cause a "mini-cycle" if stuff dies during transfer, just like if you added more ammonia. Idk, I think it's six of one or half-dozen of the other, you don't want that to happen after you have fish in there. I'm a little mixed up with your tanks, I'd be more wary of adding the live rock to the bio cube if that's where the clown is now. Like, if you are not happy with how the rocks in the new tank look, there's an upside to tweaking it before it's stocked, so it is all set before you stock. Another option if you are just trying to catch them on sale is to put the new rocks into a bucket or bin with a heater and a power head, they'll last a long time like that. But it's already pretty complicated, so that might be more trouble than it's worth

 

[andrewq]

You won't get an accurate reading for nitrates until the nitrites are eaten up, they mix up the trate test.

Adding more live rock to your tank can cause a "mini-cycle" if stuff dies during transfer, just like if you added more ammonia. Idk, I think it's six of one or half-dozen of the other, you don't want that to happen after you have fish in there. I'm a little mixed up with your tanks, I'd be more wary of adding the live rock to the bio cube if that's where the clown is now. Like, if you are not happy with how the rocks in the new tank look, there's an upside to tweaking it before it's stocked, so it is all set before you stock. Another option if you are just trying to catch them on sale is to put the new rocks into a bucket or bin with a heater and a power head, they'll last a long time like that. But it's already pretty complicated, so that might be more trouble than it's worth

Sorry for the confusion, and thank you for your time. I appreciate the responses.

My biocube was my brothers, and has been up and running for almost 2 years. He asked me to babysit his tank, and ended up giving it to me. It has a single clownfish, 1 fireshrimp, a few snails, frogspawn, a bunch of gsp, and some mushrooms. Also one huge piece of live rock. Its got to be at least 7-10lbs.

The tank im cycling is a 20long tank. I didnt like the dimensions of the biocube, so im trying to move everything over to my 20long. I want to get more live rock for 20gallon. Trying to build the wall a little higher, and add another cave or two.

Im gathering that adding live rock to either tank is gonna cause some type of mini cycle. I would like to get 3-5lbs of live rock. In your opinion which tank should I put the new live rock in. Dont have an extra heater, and my kitchen is becoming over crowded. Dont really want to have another bucket lying around. I have 2 baby kittens, and 8 month old terrier pitbull. My dog already drinks anything and everything from anywhere. Also my kittens are becoming more and more curious and mischievous. They just started knocking down cups, and one fell in the toilet the other day.

 

[andrewq]

What about if I add the large piece of live rock from the biocube to my 20gallon instead. Or add more base rock?

 

[CStrickland]

Kittens! Dogs are dumb enough to drink salt water, don't let her
Yeah, if you like the LR that's on sale I'd prolly get it in the 20 long. Your ammonia's almost gone, so a mini cycle would kinda be like ghost feeding at this point. Some people like to dose ammonia toward the end of the cycle to get an idea of where their bacteria are at, like if it can clear __ ppm in __ hours, they feel the tank is ready for fish pee. If the base rock is cheaper, and is a good shape to your eye that'll work too. IMO now is a good time to mess around with the landscape etc. just get it looking right and if there's an ammo spike let the filter eat it up. But I've only cycled one tank, and it went easy so I'm less careful than some.

 

[andrewq]

Today's readings 05/16

Hydrometer 1.025
Nitrate 80
Nitrite 0
Ammonia 0
PH 8.2

Is it possible my tank cycled in 8 days? I did use bio spira day one. I have 5 lbs of base and 5 lbs of live rock. Diatoms can be seen on the live and base rock. I don't want to believe it, but ammonia did spike and is now at 0. Also nitrates are at there highest.

 

[andrewq]

So I have some leftover live rock, and live sand. Can we say another tank! I have plenty of rock, and just enough sand to bring my fluval edge out of retirement. YAY!!! This tank was setup for freshwater at one point. I got bored of it, and took it down. This tank will sit on my computer desk. I work from home, and spend alot of time at my desk. So I thought this would be the perfect spot for it.

2lbs of live rock
3lbs base rock
6lbs of live sand

Currently cycling with fish flakes. Today is the first day on this tank, and Im going to go slow with this one. Just to make sure it cycles properly. No bio spira this time. My 20long cycled really quick, and has one happy clown fish, and four blue leg hermit crabs. These little crabs are amazing, and quick at cleaning the diatoms. Very cool to watch. Enjoy pictures

 

[CStrickland]

Very cool!
Plus, it will give you something to look at while you're upgrading the 20L (next month)

 

[andrewq]

How many times did you scape your tank before you got it right? This is number 4 for me. I think I got it this time. Also moved equipment around, and trying to decide on blue or black background.

 

[CStrickland]

Lol, my scape was a hot mess. I used concrete to hold the rocks together, like building a wall. I'm still messing with it

That looks good, but if you think about where you will put the corals, your light is only really hitting the top ridge. Might want to build in some levels so you aren't stuck just putting them in a line across the top. That was some good advice I read around here "your corals are the last piece of your scape" I think it was Smatter that said it. Lots of caves for fish to hide in is great, your pets will be happy in there

 

[andrewq]

Lol, my scape was a hot mess. I used concrete to hold the rocks together, like building a wall. I'm still messing with it

That looks good, but if you think about where you will put the corals, your light is only really hitting the top ridge. Might want to build in some levels so you aren't stuck just putting them in a line across the top. That was some good advice I read around here "your corals are the last piece of your scape" I think it was Smatter that said it. Lots of caves for fish to hide in is great, your pets will be happy in there

I like the way it looks, but corals being the last part of your scape makes sense. I think I will have to get some small pieces of live rock and close off some of the caves.

Another questions for you guys. I have another tank that is about 2 years old, and it was given to me by my brother. He has some red mushrooms that i'd like to move to my 20 long tank. How do I remove these? Would I just grab from the base of the shroom and pull? Dont want to damage these. Theres about 5 in total I want to move. Theres one the size of a half dollar, and the rest are the dime sizes

 

[andrewq]

Refugium up and running! Its a 1 gallon breeder box with water pump. Flow is pretty good, and looks like it will work well. Not sure if its enough for my 20 long though. I have another breeder box, and I might set up both and remove my marina s20 hob. What do yall think?
lights

rubble

setup

 

[andrewq]

Today is frag day! Got my first corals! Mushrooms didn't make it through shipping, but that's ok. My purple polyps look great and are already opening! Radioactive dragon eyes are opening slowly. I did clean both frags with lugos solution, and I'm drip acclimating with a hob breeder tank. There's something on the polyps, buy not sure what it is. I took a couple pics, and I'll post in in a minute.

 

[andrewq]

Couple pics of new frags.





WHATS ON MY POLYPS??????? LOOKS KINDA COOL, LOL!


WHAT IS THIS? THERE ORANGE TENTACLES, CAN YOU SEE THEM? ***?

 

[Dkuhlmann]

You don't know what those are? Come on... really? Called by a few names glass anemone is one, Aiptasia is another.

 

[andrewq]

You don't know what those are? Come on... really? Called by a few names glass anemone is one, Aiptasia is another.

Well my thread does say newbie tank help.

I did read some info on killing it briefly. If I have a coral banded shrimp already, would adding adding a peppermint shrimp be a bad idea? I like my coral banded shrimp. I could just leave the frag in the breeder box and put peppermint shrimp in with it.

 

[tennesseebob]

I didn't read the whole thread, but if nobody else mentioned them i thought i would, check out Jebao RW-4 pumps, 2 of them are pretty cool, used 2 for my 29g, same footprint but taller. Loved them so much i got bigger versions for my new tank.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Peppermint's are hit or miss. There are many way's to get rid of them. I have an old bottle of Joe's Juice and it kills them well. Not sure it's available anymore. There are many different formula's that you inject into the little critter and they are then no more

There are a few fish that eat them as well depending on your tank size.

 

[andrewq]

I didn't read the whole thread, but if nobody else mentioned them i thought i would, check out Jebao RW-4 pumps, 2 of them are pretty cool, used 2 for my 29g, same footprint but taller. Loved them so much i got bigger versions for my new tank.

I did have a look at these, and they are pretty neat. A little expensive for a pump, but its cool what you can do with them. I think when I get a bigger tank I'll go all out. These nanos are all about learning. I know most people say to stay away from nanos, because levels can fluctuate so much. Also there hard to keep stable. Well I dont think there hard. I think you have to monitor them closely, and keep up with them. They are definitely a lot more work then freshwater.

 

[andrewq]

Peppermint's are hit or miss. There are many way's to get rid of them. I have an old bottle of Joe's Juice and it kills them well. Not sure it's available anymore. There are many different formula's that you inject into the little critter and they are then no more

There are a few fish that eat them as well depending on your tank size.

I did find some joes juice online, and watched a couple videos. Pretty cool stuff! Hopefully I get it before the weeks over.

 

[andrewq]

Im getting some red algae on my rocks. Not alot, but some. My hermit crabs are making a small dent in them, but Im wondering if I should maually nremove. I did read a couple stickies, and everyone is talking about removing them. I also read on a website that red algae is a macro algae that keeps micro algae at bay. The text was " Macro algae (good algae) requires the same nutrients that micro algae (bad algae) require. Therefore, having macro algae keeps the micro algae at bay since they fight for the same nutrients ".

Is this true? It looks ugly, but if some is beneficial I will leave alone.

What kind of a cuc would you recommend for a 20long? I have 9 hermits, and 2 nassarius snails.

I really wanted some dwarf ceriths, but there hard to find in san antonio.