Progressing! Slowly but surely

j3rms said:
Another update:
A few days ago, my ammonia read 0 -.25 (hard to tell), and nitrite 0, and nitrate 10. So yesterday, I did a 30-40% water change, and took my reading today. Today my parameters are..... Ammonia 0 (looks to be), nitrite 0, and nitrate 10.

I think my tank has cycled, and is ready for some life to be put in!

I believe the first step should be adding my clean up crew. I have a 40g display and 10g sump. Any idea of what I should get to start and how many?

Also, please note - I do not have a skimmer and light yet. My skimmer should be coming in a week. I will most likely order my light today or tomorrow.....

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Just take it slow but you should be ready to add a fish or two. Do you have a fish list in mind? Make sure to read up on acclimation and dipping processes for new fish and corals. If you choose not to QT I would recommend getting this when acclimating fish- http://www.marinedepot.com/Blue_Lif...ations-Blue_Life_USA-BL00370-FIMEPSEX-vi.html

Reefers will have mixed feelings on stocking limits... but definitely go slow until you get your protein skimmer and the rest of your equipment up and running. A 40 gallon is not incredibly big so I would recommend sticking with smaller fish... clowns, gobies, wrasses, basslets, cardinals for example. I'm not necessarily recommending Liveaquaria but they do have pretty good info on certain fish as far as recommended tank sizes, aggression levels, whether they are considered reef safe and all that.
 
Richs2k6 said:
Unless you have something to clean up I would recommend waiting on the clean up crew. After my tank cycled I had an algae bloom and I bought a clean up crew and although it cleaned it up nice they all eventually died off. I am assuming it's because they didn't have enough to eat.

When you add a light I have some corals you can have for free to "test the waters". I have a couple of neon green toadstools and some frags of mind blowing palys you can have. I also have a bunch of chaeto you can have. If they survive you can probably get some decent fish. If you are going to start with inexpensive fish make sure you get some that are compatible with the fish you ultimately want. Or, get some that are easy to catch when you are ready to move on to something you actually want. Because your tank is relatively small you want to choose your livestock carefully. For example, if you want designer clowns don't buy cheap ones and try to mix the designer ones in later.

BTW, I am in Tustin/Anaheim so it might not be worth the drive for free corals/chaeto but if you are interested let me know. BTW, when you are ready for a clean up crew check out http://www.reefcleaners.org. They have great prices and they sent me WAY more than I ordered. Maybe I got lucky but either way the price was good.
Click to expand...


So I have excellent news! My light came in yesterday! It is a beauty in my eye. Skimmer is scheduled to come in tomorrow, and I think now I can take you on that offer for the free chaeto and corals! I actually have a friend that goes down there often maybe he can pick it up for me :). But then again, I'd like to meet you to thank you and check your tank out too..... Are you going out of town this weekend? It's only a 45 min drive, not too bad. Send me a PM with your contact info if you're around this weekend.... I have a 4 day weekend and free time.


You bring good points about the CUC. Definitely not needed right now, don't have anything blooming but may occur with the addition to the light.... only time will tell. I heard about reef cleaners.org, I'll definitely have them in my consideration when purchasing.
 

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BeanMachine said:
Just take it slow but you should be ready to add a fish or two. Do you have a fish list in mind? Make sure to read up on acclimation and dipping processes for new fish and corals. If you choose not to QT I would recommend getting this when acclimating fish- http://www.marinedepot.com/Blue_Lif...ations-Blue_Life_USA-BL00370-FIMEPSEX-vi.html

Reefers will have mixed feelings on stocking limits... but definitely go slow until you get your protein skimmer and the rest of your equipment up and running. A 40 gallon is not incredibly big so I would recommend sticking with smaller fish... clowns, gobies, wrasses, basslets, cardinals for example. I'm not necessarily recommending Liveaquaria but they do have pretty good info on certain fish as far as recommended tank sizes, aggression levels, whether they are considered reef safe and all that.
Click to expand...


I definitely need to read about acclimation. I unfortunately do not have a fish wish list yet..... I haven't really set my mind on what I'd like. I have a few ideas.... clown (not sure which exactly), Dwarf Anglefish would be cool, Puffer are cool looking too, Wrasse. I need to research.

It just occurred to me that my water temp is like 69 degrees..... I need to buy a heater before I can add any life!

Thanks! Happy Turkey Day!
 
Yea! I got my heater! Inhave my temp at 76 aim debating to get my fish tomorrow. The skimmer comes in on Monday, it wont be an issue right?

I'm excited to get some life in there.
 
Hello again!

I have my skimmer currently running, it has been for over 2 days now. The issue I am running with my skimmer is that it keeps overflowing. I have read that it could be in a breaking in phase, or there isn't enough disolved organic solids for it to work properly. Either way, I hope it starts working normally soon!

Well, once the skimmer started going, oddly enough, I got diatom! I have currently shut the lights off. I plan on letting it sit with lights off for couple days, and Friday hopefully I will have some time to go to the LFS and buy some CUC, that is if necessary. If not, then I will most likely buy my first fish! I hope the diatom has cleared, and my skimmer is being normal.

Side note- sorry for the diary type format.... I'm hoping that someone will be reading this, and gaining some sort of in-sight.

- Thank you, and stay classy
 
Well I didnt get to go to the fish store yet... My real concern is the skimmer wont stop overflowing it has been a week now!!
 
I never purchased any life bc of some personal things that is consuming a lot of my time. Hopefully by end of month :)

Thanks for asking!
 
Hello everyone!

Good news! I added 2 clown fish to the tank! I'm really nervous and hope they don't die. I picked them up from Rainbow aquarium.

So far, my skimmer is going nuts! I had to leave it flowing back into the tank, hopefully it'll stabilize by the morning. Anyone experience this?

Welp, I am in the valley and if any local has some chaeto or coral to sell or donate, please let me know!!!

I've added a pic of my new friends :)
 

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I am in Sherman Oaks I have some electric green palys & Gsp you can have for free. note this is San bed coral save your rock for your really nice stuff you'll get later :-) I'll even give you a Nuclear green paly hit me up.
 
So, update - skimmer has relaxed and is back to normal.

ISSUE: last night/ this morning I found a flesh wound on one of my fish. I was able to take a pic. Is this something I have to treat or is it small and it'll heal itself?
 

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