Very new tank (pics)
- Thread starter Paliya
- Start date
Nu2SW
New member
to reef central and the mars forum.
I must concur that the rock is nice, are you planning on getting more?
Best piece of advice that someone will give you, "Nothing good happens fast." Dont add stuff too fast, atleast for like 2 months and then go slow.
Welcome to the addiction, Err I mean Hobby. :lol:
shilo_1
New member
Welcome ! 
Your tank looks great so far.
What are you planning on keeping in it ? Like Edwin said, just remember to take it slow - far too many people rush in and end up with a tank crash and then give up, which is a waste, since this is a great hobby !
What kind of lights do you have on it now ?
Your tank looks great so far.What are you planning on keeping in it ? Like Edwin said, just remember to take it slow - far too many people rush in and end up with a tank crash and then give up, which is a waste, since this is a great hobby !
What kind of lights do you have on it now ?
Welcome and great job with the aquascaping.
Just a few comments:
I don't know if I agree with the statement "Dont add stuff too fast, atleast for like 2 months." Depending on wheather his rock is fully cured or not, he might be able to start adding things in within a few weeks. You definitely don't want to start off with hard to keep corals or fish. Start off with something hardy like clowns, shrimps, zoa, gsp and such. I think too many times the people give advice that tells people to hold off for a very long time. As a newbie - that could be a huge turn off.
One other thing that you will most likely encounter is an algae bloom. It happens to all new tanks, so don't be discourage if this happens. It will eventually go away on its own.
The advice to go slow is a good one though. You don't want to add all your fish in all at once.
Minh
Just a few comments:
I don't know if I agree with the statement "Dont add stuff too fast, atleast for like 2 months." Depending on wheather his rock is fully cured or not, he might be able to start adding things in within a few weeks. You definitely don't want to start off with hard to keep corals or fish. Start off with something hardy like clowns, shrimps, zoa, gsp and such. I think too many times the people give advice that tells people to hold off for a very long time. As a newbie - that could be a huge turn off.
One other thing that you will most likely encounter is an algae bloom. It happens to all new tanks, so don't be discourage if this happens. It will eventually go away on its own.
The advice to go slow is a good one though. You don't want to add all your fish in all at once.
Minh
Paliya
New member
Pico1: Thanks, I have to give credit where it is due though; my girlfriend did much of the aquascaping. She's really good at design
Nu2SW: Gread advice. I definitely plan on letting things occur slowly and not cram tons of stuff in to the tank at once. As for the live rock; we plan on adding a little bit more probably... not sure when though. Right now we have 30lbs live sand, 32 lbs uncured live rock, 8 lbs cured live rock.
shiloh_1: Thanks for the welcome We plan on keeping a lot of Zoanthids. Me and my lady really like the way they look and the variety of colors that they come in. We'll likely put in an anenome of some sort and a pair of clown fish that will hopefully play in it. I also like xenias and ricordias.... so mostly soft corals. Maybe some day put in some acropora or other sps type stuff. We don't have any lights right now... what's on top of the tank was a little fixture that came with the tank. It has room for 1 little tiny florescent tube. We plan on ordering a 2x96 PC light and then getting a canopy that will accomidate it. I heard that while the tank is first cycling, there is no need for a light... it just makes the algea bloom more? Not sure if this is correct or not, like I said earlier... this is my first tank!
Reefugee: Hehe, cool name. Thanks for the advice, it's good to know that the things that we like the most (Zoanthids) are hardy and good in newbie tanks. The guy at the LFS (Brian @ Coral Reef Shop in Carmichael) was kind enough to give me some live rock fully cured out of his sump, and like 3 gals of water with it. Like I mentioned, I also bought about 8lbs of cured LR from him to hopefully speed up the 1st cycle. I took water readings last night and had 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite... but 5 nitrate. I assume this is just left over nitrates from the established water/LR in my tank. I'll take readings again today, and i'm guessing there will be a higher ammonia count.
...and fyi... we already have a few hitchhikers! We found 2 little star fish (one has gone MIA since...) and 3 little snails... and a crab that hides in a cave all day. We're thinking of ways of enticing him out to get a good look at him. Also, on the cured LR there are pods.
-P
Nu2SW: Gread advice. I definitely plan on letting things occur slowly and not cram tons of stuff in to the tank at once. As for the live rock; we plan on adding a little bit more probably... not sure when though. Right now we have 30lbs live sand, 32 lbs uncured live rock, 8 lbs cured live rock.
shiloh_1: Thanks for the welcome
We plan on keeping a lot of Zoanthids. Me and my lady really like the way they look and the variety of colors that they come in. We'll likely put in an anenome of some sort and a pair of clown fish that will hopefully play in it. I also like xenias and ricordias.... so mostly soft corals. Maybe some day put in some acropora or other sps type stuff. We don't have any lights right now... what's on top of the tank was a little fixture that came with the tank. It has room for 1 little tiny florescent tube. We plan on ordering a 2x96 PC light and then getting a canopy that will accomidate it. I heard that while the tank is first cycling, there is no need for a light... it just makes the algea bloom more? Not sure if this is correct or not, like I said earlier... this is my first tank!Reefugee: Hehe, cool name. Thanks for the advice, it's good to know that the things that we like the most (Zoanthids) are hardy and good in newbie tanks. The guy at the LFS (Brian @ Coral Reef Shop in Carmichael) was kind enough to give me some live rock fully cured out of his sump, and like 3 gals of water with it. Like I mentioned, I also bought about 8lbs of cured LR from him to hopefully speed up the 1st cycle. I took water readings last night and had 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite... but 5 nitrate. I assume this is just left over nitrates from the established water/LR in my tank. I'll take readings again today, and i'm guessing there will be a higher ammonia count.
...and fyi... we already have a few hitchhikers! We found 2 little star fish (one has gone MIA since...) and 3 little snails... and a crab that hides in a cave all day. We're thinking of ways of enticing him out to get a good look at him. Also, on the cured LR there are pods.
-P
Nu2SW
New member
Your lighting will probably need to be a little stranger, that is a deep tank by the looks.
If your gonna go with PC's I'd go with 4x65 for a total of 260 or higher.
Current has some satellite and orbit lights that are a little stonger than that for not much more I think $290
http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/power_Orbit.html
http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/power_satellite.html
If your gonna go with PC's I'd go with 4x65 for a total of 260 or higher.
Current has some satellite and orbit lights that are a little stonger than that for not much more I think $290
http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/power_Orbit.html
http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/power_satellite.html
Paliya
New member
Nu2SW: The dimensions of the tank are 36" across x 15" deep X 20" high. I'll take the 4x65 in to consideration when ordering a light. I can't make the meeting tonight... but it kind of would be a perfect first meeting. Isn't the topic 'tank set-up' or something like that? Dang, stupid dinner plans....
Hopefully next time.
-P
Hopefully next time.
-P
shilo_1
New member
That sounds really similar to what I am doing too. I have mainly zoas, with some other sofites, a few LPS and some SPS (mainly zoas though. )
I personally wouldn't worry aobut adding raw shrimp. With the sand and cured LR, that should be enough to kick start the cycle (shrimp would probably be food for the crab though
)
The lighting thing is something that you could read about for months and still not know which type to get. lol I started my old 46g with 2x96w PC and loved it. At that time I also kept a predominantly softy tank (one small sps that seemed to do ok up high.) I then wanted more variety of corals, so upgraded to 2x175w MH. They were nice, but hot as all heck and very pricey (to run and buy) !
When I set up my current 65g (36lx18wx24t) I opted for T-5's - for what I want to keep, I'm thrilled with the results so far. I got a "cheapie" (lots of people don't like them because of the single reflector) - Nova, by Current. It cost under $200 with shipping brad new. Compared to the MH....I'd say the lighting from the T-5's are much better, not to mention the color of my corals has improved a lot ! I have enough light to keep pretty much anything happy, which is great ! Bulbs are decently priced and last much longer than PC or MH, the unit runs with very little heat and electricity costs are MUCH better !!!
hehehe....just wanted to share my experiences with lights.
)I personally wouldn't worry aobut adding raw shrimp. With the sand and cured LR, that should be enough to kick start the cycle (shrimp would probably be food for the crab though
)The lighting thing is something that you could read about for months and still not know which type to get. lol I started my old 46g with 2x96w PC and loved it. At that time I also kept a predominantly softy tank (one small sps that seemed to do ok up high.) I then wanted more variety of corals, so upgraded to 2x175w MH. They were nice, but hot as all heck and very pricey (to run and buy) !
When I set up my current 65g (36lx18wx24t) I opted for T-5's - for what I want to keep, I'm thrilled with the results so far. I got a "cheapie" (lots of people don't like them because of the single reflector) - Nova, by Current. It cost under $200 with shipping brad new. Compared to the MH....I'd say the lighting from the T-5's are much better, not to mention the color of my corals has improved a lot ! I have enough light to keep pretty much anything happy, which is great ! Bulbs are decently priced and last much longer than PC or MH, the unit runs with very little heat and electricity costs are MUCH better !!!
hehehe....just wanted to share my experiences with lights.
yoboyjdizz
Active member
Looks like your off to a good start... While your tank is in the cycle stage you really don't need the lights so your ok.. If i were you i would look into the t-5 tek lights i would go with the 36inch 4 bulb might be a little more money then your wanting to spend but well worth it and you won't be limited in the future on what you want to add to your tank.. Espically if you want sps.
loup
Premium Member
very good information from all of the above. Another vote for you to consider T5 even if it's more costly than the PC. T5 will allow you to keep more different coral in the future than PC. Don't want you to spend money on PC and kick yourself later for not getting T5 when you see all those nice LPS and SPS. And your zoas will luv ya for the extra light.
Also, grab some 20+ snails of varity to help combat your incoming algea bloom. In any case, nice work on rockwork.
Also, grab some 20+ snails of varity to help combat your incoming algea bloom. In any case, nice work on rockwork.
Paliya
New member
Thanks for the encouraging words everyone. Sounds like the general consensus is to go with t5's, so that's most likely what i'll be getting. I also had a question about if I should have a skimmer and filter up and running right now? I have neither, just 2 powerheads in the tank. I looked at the top of the water today and it looked like it had dust (?) floating around on it. Eventually I want a skimmer and a filter... just not sure when I need to have them.
Checked the water tonight... still 0 ammonia? Weird... but i'll wait it out.
loup: Whens the best time to get the 'clean-up crew'? Right away, or wait for the first cycle? I'd hate to put stuff in the tank under poor conditions and have it suffer.
Thanks again,
-P
Checked the water tonight... still 0 ammonia? Weird... but i'll wait it out.
loup: Whens the best time to get the 'clean-up crew'? Right away, or wait for the first cycle? I'd hate to put stuff in the tank under poor conditions and have it suffer.
Thanks again,
-P
loup
Premium Member
best time to add clean-up crew is after your cycle. Here is a good place to order clean up crew online www.reeftopia.com
If you have skimmer and or filter, I would run them now during your cycle.
If you have skimmer and or filter, I would run them now during your cycle.
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