Happened upon this by accident!!HELP!

[b-baby80]

O.K. so the end of June the family took a vacation to Dauphin island.While in the fairy line the kids were catching hermit crabs.Me not knowing any better we brought them home.After i got home i was researching and found the are Clibanarius vittatus which are saltwater.So not wanting them to die.I drug out a old aquarium.Then added gravel,sea salt mix,a filter and a heater.Their doing good and the 2 big ones have molted in the last month.Thats a whole nother story LOL!!Anyway i want to add more fish but not sure what.Right now the aquarium is on my kitchen counter.Which i need!Plus it's so old none of the light hoods will fit it LOL!So my goal is to move it and get a larger maybe 20 gallon and a stand.So i have some questions.Oh and i think it's still cycling here are todays test results.
PH 8.2
Ammonia 0.25
Nitrate 20
Nitrite 2.0
So if i want to move it.Can i just syfin the cycled water into the new aquarium?Would i still need to cycle?
What fish are best?
We really want a clown fish.My youngest son has cerebral palsy.So him and Nemo have alot in common.He has a bad arm and leg and nemo has a bad flipper!He just loves Nemo too.
I was thinking one or two other fish and a Anemone?
I'm just not sure what i can put in with the crabs.Two of them are pretty good size!
Thanks for all your help

 

[1journeyman]

Welcome to the boards. We're walk ya through it.
First off, i'm not familiar with the particular hermits you caught. Crabs are opportunistic hunters, so if they get big they will be problematic.
Gravel, what kind? FW gravel isn't good so SW tanks. Go with an inch or less of sand for a small tank.
Yes, the tank is still cycling... you probably want to do water changes to keep ammonia down. Ammonia is very toxic and can kill inverts (and fish of course).
Moving the tank will be fairly easy, but you will need to take some steps to prevent another cycle. Simply moving the water from one tank to another will not bring over the beneficial bacteria you need. What type of filter do you have? Does it have a sponge inside? This will house bacteria you need. Also, a week or 2 before you move the tank add a couple of clean aquarium filter pads to the tank. They will grow bacteria and you can transplant them into the new tank.
SW tanks are a bit more difficult to stock. SW fish will not thrive in crowded tanks. In a 20 gallon, go with a pair of small clowns ("Nemo" will be fine. Just be sure to get 2 of the same species. Different species of clowns will be very aggresive towards each other). Along with 2 clowns you could go with a small goby like a Yellow Watchman. Then add to that a Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp.
Anemones... one of the more difficult things to keep in an aquarium. They need intense lighting. They also need well established tanks. They also get big, which can crowd a tank. Furthermore, if they die in a small tank they can kill everything. Clowns can live quite happily in a tank without them. In fact, many clowns now sold are raised in captivity and may never go into an anemone anyway...
Now, you didn't mention live rock, but I highly recomend 10-20 Lbs of it. Great biological filtration and habitat.
Take a look in the "Nano" section for some pictures.
Again, welcome to the forums.

 

[b-baby80]

Originally Posted by 1journeyman
Welcome to the boards. We're walk ya through it.
First off, i'm not familiar with the particular hermits you caught. Crabs are opportunistic hunters, so if they get big they will be problematic.
Gravel, what kind? FW gravel isn't good so SW tanks. Go with an inch or less of sand for a small tank.
Yes, the tank is still cycling... you probably want to do water changes to keep ammonia down. Ammonia is very toxic and can kill inverts (and fish of course).
Moving the tank will be fairly easy, but you will need to take some steps to prevent another cycle. Simply moving the water from one tank to another will not bring over the beneficial bacteria you need. What type of filter do you have? Does it have a sponge inside? This will house bacteria you need. Also, a week or 2 before you move the tank add a couple of clean aquarium filter pads to the tank. They will grow bacteria and you can transplant them into the new tank.
SW tanks are a bit more difficult to stock. SW fish will not thrive in crowded tanks. In a 20 gallon, go with a pair of small clowns ("Nemo" will be fine. Just be sure to get 2 of the same species. Different species of clowns will be very aggresive towards each other). Along with 2 clowns you could go with a small goby like a Yellow Watchman. Then add to that a Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp.
Anemones... one of the more difficult things to keep in an aquarium. They need intense lighting. They also need well established tanks. They also get big, which can crowd a tank. Furthermore, if they die in a small tank they can kill everything. Clowns can live quite happily in a tank without them. In fact, many clowns now sold are raised in captivity and may never go into an anemone anyway...
Now, you didn't mention live rock, but I highly recomend 10-20 Lbs of it. Great biological filtration and habitat.
Take a look in the "Nano" section for some pictures.
Again, welcome to the forums.
Thank you for posting back so soon!I really am clueless about this but want to do it.Oh and i'm on a strict budget LOL!The filter i have is a Penquin Biowheel 100.I thought the biowheel held the good bacteria right?The rock is regular rock but i was gonna buy the live sand or coral for the aquarium when i move it.When i move it will be to a bigger aquarium.So i know i'll have to add some new water.As this tank is smaller.So i figured it would cycle but not as hard or long right?Could i still add fish when it cycles.I've read you can but i'm just not sure.We went all the way to the fish store and i chickened out today LOL!I just want all the facts before i do anything else.As this was all by accident LOL!

 

[1journeyman]

Originally Posted by B-Baby80
Thank you for posting back so soon!I really am clueless about this but want to do it.Oh and i'm on a strict budget LOL!The filter i have is a Penquin Biowheel 100.I thought the biowheel held the good bacteria right?The rock is regular rock but i was gonna buy the live sand or coral for the aquarium when i move it.When i move it will be to a bigger aquarium.So i know i'll have to add some new water.As this tank is smaller.So i figured it would cycle but not as hard or long right?Could i still add fish when it cycles.I've read you can but i'm just not sure.We went all the way to the fish store and i chickened out today LOL!I just want all the facts before i do anything else.As this was all by accident LOL!

You did the right thing... the last thing you want is more fish right now.
The filter will be fine. Many of us don't even run filters, but have lot's of water movement with pumps, wavemakers, and use live rock for biological filtration.
Adding water won't make a tank cycle. Your helpful bacteria is found on the surfaces in your tank. Very little is found in the water free floating. Starting up a new tank will be bad, unless you carry bacteria over from your old tank. True "live" sand will have a lot of bacteria. Bagged "live" sand *might* have some, but don't bet on it. Also don't fall for the Fish Store "bacteria in a bottle".
Gravel and rocks=bad. Don't transfer them.
Ideally, you want to set up the new tank and let it run for a month or so. Go ahead and put your sand and live rock into it, a small powerhead to keep current moving (since you aren't going to want to by another filter). Then add a bit of food to the new tank every couple of days. That will feed your bacteria and cycle the tank.
After that, SLOWLY add livestock.
Do not add livestock to a tank until it cycles. The fish store will likely try to sell you damsels to cycle a tank. They are not needed, and often die when cycling tanks. Ghost feeding an empty tank will work just as well. The last thing we want for your son is to get attached to a fish that dies in 2 weeks.
What kind of tank do you want? Fish only? Reef?

 

[b-baby80]

Gosh you guys are very helpful!So i can buy they other tank and just set it up?No filter?How could i transfer some of the good bacteria?What about old filter cartridges?were is the best place for live sand and rock?
I'm not sure what i want.I know i want a colorful variety type tank.I know i'm limited due to the crabs size.And my budget.Were is a good place for aquariums that don't cost a fortune?They were charging $30 for a clown at the only fish store locally.I thought that was crazy!!Their tanks didn't look to healthy either

 

[1journeyman]

Originally Posted by B-Baby80
Gosh you guys are very helpful!So i can buy they other tank and just set it up?No filter?How could i transfer some of the good bacteria?What about old filter cartridges?were is the best place for live sand and rock?
I'm not sure what i want.I know i want a colorful variety type tank.I know i'm limited due to the crabs size.And my budget.Were is a good place for aquariums that don't cost a fortune?They were charging $30 for a clown at the only fish store locally.I thought that was crazy!!Their tanks didn't look to healthy either

Correct. As long as you have good water movement you don't neccessarily need a filter.
See my first post on how to transfer bacteria. Just let some filter pad sit in your old tank for a week or two and carry it over. More importnatly, though, just by setting up the tank and feeding it every couple of days lightly you will grow your own bacteria in the new tank. Old filter cartridges will also work.
Live rock and sand from this site is great, but you may not need that much. Find a good SWF store in your area if that is the case. This site is also great for fish and corals, but you will need the minimum purchase amount...
A "colorful" tank requires a few things:
1. Time- don't ruch into it. Corals like well establishd tanks
2. Lighting- Many corals require lighting
3. Water quality- Corals need higher quality wate than fish
4. money- a typical "reef" tank is more expensive. Test kits, stocking it, lighting, etc. all add up.
A Fish only with live rock (FOWLR) tank can be very entertaining. You can always save up and upgrade it later to corals.

 

[1journeyman]

Almost forgot, keep the tank you currently have set up for a Quarantine tank. When you get fish, put them in it for a month to make sure they are healthy.

 

[b-baby80]

O.K. cool so setting up may be easier than i thought.I have a question how do i move the water with no filter?Also i've found a guy locally who has a 70 gallon tank,stand,under gravel filter,cannister filter and all accessories for $250.I was wondering if this is good or not?

 

[imurnamine]

$250.00 for the tank and stand is pretty good.
Of course, you could just go ahead and throw away the undergravel filter!
But just for the tank and stand, great deal. Make sure the tank has no leaks!

 

[b-baby80]

Yeah i may not know much but my years of freshwater tanks has taught me the UGF are crap LOL!I was thinking it was a good deal for the tank and stand.If the tank does leak can it be resealed?The stand is metal i think i'll get my hubby to build us a good stirdy one though.With 2 little ones i'm always scared it could tip

Originally Posted by ImUrNamine
$250.00 for the tank and stand is pretty good.
Of course, you could just go ahead and throw away the undergravel filter!
But just for the tank and stand, great deal. Make sure the tank has no leaks!

 

[imurnamine]

Yeah I personally wouldn't go with a metal stand.
Yes, the tank can be resealed, but I have heard it is a MAJOUR pain to do!
A 70 is a fun size to have, I have a 72 Bowfront tank and I love it, it's a great size!
Just make sure you don't jump into anything, and follow the set-up instructions step by step.
Also, don't listen to what people at the pet store say, 9 times out of 10, they're idiots. : )

 

[rcoultas]

I wouldn't be too hasty with that purchase - IMO - unless there are some really good accessories $250 is not that great of a deal for a 70g with a stand that is undesireable. Shop around - I have found many tanks for less than $2 per gallon - many of those included stands. I recently purchased 140 tanks incl a 75, 5 x 55g, 8 x 50 breeder, and the list goes on for $300
As far as repairing a leaky tank...it is actually quite simple to do - the problems come when it is an established display tank that developes a leak.

 

[b-baby80]

Originally Posted by rcoultas
I wouldn't be too hasty with that purchase - IMO - unless there are some really good accessories $250 is not that great of a deal for a 70g with a stand that is undesireable. Shop around - I have found many tanks for less than $2 per gallon - many of those included stands. I recently purchased 140 tanks incl a 75, 5 x 55g, 8 x 50 breeder, and the list goes on for $300
As far as repairing a leaky tank...it is actually quite simple to do - the problems come when it is an established display tank that developes a leak.
Here is what the guy listed.Of course i'm gonna look at it and go on my gut.I mean i have plenty of time to shop around.I can't afford a hasty decision LOL!
1. Tank, lighted hood, and iron stand.
2. Magnum canister filter.
3. 2 bio wheels that work with filter.
4. Undergravel filter.
5. Two powerheads for undergravel filter.
6. Large twin cylinder compressor.
7. Gravel.
8. There is probably more misc. items that will go with it if you want.

 

[lil' tanker]

It'll be alright!

 

[rcoultas]

Are you planning on setting up a SW tank?
What type of lights are they - just the standard fluorescent fixture?
Canister filter and undergravel are not for me (doing saltwater) the powerheads can be used for water movement.
Do you need a compressor? I don't use one on any of my tanks.
Gravel is a term typically referring to a freshwater substrate that is generally not suitable for SW setup.
Again - I would say to shop around - I think you said before that you wanted to do a SW tank so most of this is not useable. JMHO

 

[imurnamine]

Originally Posted by rcoultas
Are you planning on setting up a SW tank?
What type of lights are they - just the standard fluorescent fixture?
Canister filter and undergravel are not for me (doing saltwater) the powerheads can be used for water movement.
Do you need a compressor? I don't use one on any of my tanks.
Gravel is a term typically referring to a freshwater substrate that is generally not suitable for SW setup.
Again - I would say to shop around - I think you said before that you wanted to do a SW tank so most of this is not useable. JMHO

Don't worry, I'm going to take care of her. I'm going to help her set up everything in person. : )

 

[b-baby80]

Originally Posted by rcoultas
Are you planning on setting up a SW tank?
What type of lights are they - just the standard fluorescent fixture?
Canister filter and undergravel are not for me (doing saltwater) the powerheads can be used for water movement.
Do you need a compressor? I don't use one on any of my tanks.
Gravel is a term typically referring to a freshwater substrate that is generally not suitable for SW setup.
Again - I would say to shop around - I think you said before that you wanted to do a SW tank so most of this is not useable. JMHO
yeah i know i don't need the gravel or UGF.I'm glad i can use the powerheads though.I'm thinking all i actually will need from him is the tank,hood and maybe the stand until we build one.I'm going to buy live sand and rock.Atleast i hope so if my budget allows

 

[petjunkie]

I had one of those hermits and it never harmed a thing but was very clumsy and huge! Most likely not reef safe and some can be fish killers, if you want to keep fish with them I would suggest damsels after it's done cycling, they are usually too quick to be caught and very hardy.

 

[1journeyman]

Originally Posted by ImUrNamine
Don't worry, I'm going to take care of her. I'm going to help her set up everything in person. : )
Excellent.

 

[imurnamine]

Originally Posted by 1journeyman
Excellent.

See?!
Aren't you guys proud of me?
And some of you thought I was a miserable, self-righteous, heinous shrew!
: )
Emily made a friend. : ) : ) : )