I hope I can swim.... (First venture into Saltwater 29g build)
- Thread starter southern wolf
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southern wolf
Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/390512/i-hope-i-can-swim-first-venture-into-saltwater-29g-build/140#post_3475099
What kind are you thinking of? I'd be careful not to add anything too expensive yet until your confident that the tank is cycling properly. Maybe a small clean up crew to kick things off? Are you seeing in color change in your rocks or algae yet?
I was thinking maybe peppermint or fire shrimp.
And I hope I dont jinx myself... I have no algae.
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/390512/i-hope-i-can-swim-first-venture-into-saltwater-29g-build/140#post_3475099
What kind are you thinking of? I'd be careful not to add anything too expensive yet until your confident that the tank is cycling properly. Maybe a small clean up crew to kick things off? Are you seeing in color change in your rocks or algae yet?
I was thinking maybe peppermint or fire shrimp.
And I hope I dont jinx myself... I have no algae.
southern wolf
Member
Thanks for the info
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/390512/i-hope-i-can-swim-first-venture-into-saltwater-29g-build/140#post_3475112
I was thinking maybe peppermint or fire shrimp.
And I hope I dont jinx myself... I have no algae.
At one point you will have to deal with algae. Every new and every advanced aquarist has to deal with algae issues at one point or another. It's almost unavoidable. But, what you can do is make sure you have enough filtration and do water changes and keep testing your water. If you take those steps, you can avoid some of those issues.
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/390512/i-hope-i-can-swim-first-venture-into-saltwater-29g-build/140#post_3475112
I was thinking maybe peppermint or fire shrimp.
And I hope I dont jinx myself... I have no algae.
At one point you will have to deal with algae. Every new and every advanced aquarist has to deal with algae issues at one point or another. It's almost unavoidable. But, what you can do is make sure you have enough filtration and do water changes and keep testing your water. If you take those steps, you can avoid some of those issues.
southern wolf
Member
I would like to say thanks to everyone here that has helped me along the way. You have helped make a long time dream of mine to come true. I have always wanted a salt tank and now I officially have one.... it's even complete with critters now.
I went to ***** today with the intentions of getting something... anything for my tank. Tired of staring at empty water.
So while I'm there I saw some fish that I wanted. The selections wasn't great but it was better than I had in my tank. The one fish that I went after however wasn't present this week. Guess someone else beat me to it.
I'm looking thru their tanks and here is a butt ugly clown snuggling up to an anemone. I started to get those because he had hosted it... then I remembered reading on here somewhere that anemone's need an established tank. Ok.... that ugly fish is out.
Moving on to the next tank is a beautiful Banggai Cardinal. Thankfully Flower recommended the fish books (which I now have both of). The other night I was looking thru my book and remembered that it stated that particular type of cardinals didn't do well in home aquariums... Double checked my book to make sure my memory was accurate... So that one was out. Really sucks cause those are some sweet fish.
Moving on.....
They had some beautiful clowns. Maroon clowns that is. I remembered when I brought them up shortly after I started posting here that folks bout blew a gasket. Talked about how big they got and had a bad attitude. So I walked away from those as well.
They had a few damsels and while I walked away from them.... I wouldn't hold your breath on it always being that way. The one SW fish I have always wanted is the blue damsels and it's a pretty safe bet that I will get at least one. I however didn't get one today.
So I'm still looking and watching... looking and watching. Mainly cause what I went after wasn't there this week. They had some shrimps, and hermit crabs, and snails and such. They had what I think was a chocolate chip starfish but I need to do more research on starfish before I get any.
Then I see this beautiful little fish come out of the rocks. I fell in love with it. I'm looking at the stickers below the tanks and I dont see it listed. I ask the lady that works there and she said she thinks it's a green spotted mandarine goby.
They had some sort of trigger and I know they get big and not suitable for my little nano tank.
Then a critter stuck it's head out of the rocks. Sadly I couldn't find anything in my reef aquarium fishes book about it. It was a wolf eel and was seriously sweet looking. Turns out they also had a Snowflake eel in another tank. It was all I could do to not bring the snowflake home. I was afraid it would eat the other inhabitants I wanted in my first SW tank. Maybe later I'll do a species specific tank with a Snowflake.
Then I asked her to bag up a couple of critters and here I am at the house trying to get them acclamated to the tank.
S
siptang
Guest
Was it the psychedelic one or light green with black circles on them?
I like the psychedelic one tremendously. I have a buddy in whole sale that is actually training one for me so hopefully I will have one in my tank in about 2 weeks or so fully trained.
It's eating frozen mysis now and is eager on the pellets just have to beat the yellow tang in his tank. Which is perfect because of my blue and purple tang.
I like the psychedelic one tremendously. I have a buddy in whole sale that is actually training one for me so hopefully I will have one in my tank in about 2 weeks or so fully trained.
It's eating frozen mysis now and is eager on the pellets just have to beat the yellow tang in his tank. Which is perfect because of my blue and purple tang.
southern wolf
Member
It had the circles
S
siptang
Guest
Those will accept food more readily then the other one that I told you about.
gemmy
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Siptang http:///t/390512/i-hope-i-can-swim-first-venture-into-saltwater-29g-build/140#post_3476326
Those will accept food more readily then the other one that I told you about.
I have better luck with the green mandarins.
Like these:
Originally Posted by Siptang http:///t/390512/i-hope-i-can-swim-first-venture-into-saltwater-29g-build/140#post_3476326
Those will accept food more readily then the other one that I told you about.
I have better luck with the green mandarins.
Like these:
southern wolf
Member
Yeah... those are beautiful. I hope to have one some day.
I think my critters are finally starting to settle in a bit.
The PJ is hanging out in a back corner of the tank. Wonder if the current from the evo 550 is too much for him/her? Didn't realize how much flow I had until I just fed and watched the food swirl around the tank. I did see this fish eat just now... so at least that's a good sign. The shrimp is constantly exploring the rocks.
I think my critters are finally starting to settle in a bit.
The PJ is hanging out in a back corner of the tank. Wonder if the current from the evo 550 is too much for him/her? Didn't realize how much flow I had until I just fed and watched the food swirl around the tank. I did see this fish eat just now... so at least that's a good sign. The shrimp is constantly exploring the rocks.
S
siptang
Guest
Really? I was told other wise and mine died before but my buddy had awesome luck with them and he started feeding them live rotis then frozen rotis then frozen brine then to frozen mysis then pellets. So far he's eating like a champ have to target feed him because of yellow tang but he's getting aggressive towards food and will swim forward for his food.
looking good there!
looking good there!
southern wolf
Member
I am thinking of waiting about a month before adding my next fish. Mainly cause I'm broke right now. 
Need to get a couple more paychecks under my belt.
I know most folks say take it slow. To me... that's slow. What do you think? Sound like a good time intervel?
Keep in mind that I'm dealing with a 29g tank when you answer this next question.
I know that I want a clown... most likely a black and white version. Eventually I also want a lemonpeel angle, and I will probably defy all wisdom and put in one blue damsel (mainly cause I have always loved those).
With those in mind... what would be other good choices for my tank? I guess I'm trying to make a stocking list so when I go to the store (or stores) I can say... yep they have one of those so that will be what I bring home vs.... going and just buying something that may not get along.
Need to get a couple more paychecks under my belt.I know most folks say take it slow. To me... that's slow. What do you think? Sound like a good time intervel?
Keep in mind that I'm dealing with a 29g tank when you answer this next question.
I know that I want a clown... most likely a black and white version. Eventually I also want a lemonpeel angle, and I will probably defy all wisdom and put in one blue damsel (mainly cause I have always loved those).
With those in mind... what would be other good choices for my tank? I guess I'm trying to make a stocking list so when I go to the store (or stores) I can say... yep they have one of those so that will be what I bring home vs.... going and just buying something that may not get along.
gemmy
Active Member
Honestly, I would only add the ones that you are thinking of. The tank already has a pajama cardinal and you want to add a clown, lemonpeel angel, and a blue devil. IMO, that is pushing the tank limit to its max. However, in looking at the fish, the tank is missing a fish for the bottom like a clown goby.
southern wolf
Member
Yeah... I wasn't sure what to put as a bottom dweller. I figured it would have to be a goby or blenny.
southern wolf
Member
Ok.... I had a thought strike me upside the head today. It may have smacked me hard enough for drain bamage... we shall see.
Has anyone tried to do a half and half tank? (dont know what else to call it).
IF I was to upgrade my SW tank to the 52g then I would have 4 foot worth of real estate. What I am thinking is doing a small reef on one end (maybe half of the tank) leave a little open area then on the other end plant some grass like macros.
Has anyone tried this method. I know most just say put the macros in the 'fuge, but I'm wondering if this could work.
Has anyone tried to do a half and half tank? (dont know what else to call it).
IF I was to upgrade my SW tank to the 52g then I would have 4 foot worth of real estate. What I am thinking is doing a small reef on one end (maybe half of the tank) leave a little open area then on the other end plant some grass like macros.
Has anyone tried this method. I know most just say put the macros in the 'fuge, but I'm wondering if this could work.
gemmy
Active Member
It could work. You would be fighting a never ending battle with keeping the macros trimmed, IMO. If done right. I think it look real neat.
For my next tank, I am considering a waterfall tank. The water would flow from the sump to the display refugium. From there, I would have a rock structure that the water would flow into which leads into the DT. This tank would be rimless and it would have a rock structure that would allow the water to flow into a frag grow out tank. This is just a pipe dream for now.
For my next tank, I am considering a waterfall tank. The water would flow from the sump to the display refugium. From there, I would have a rock structure that the water would flow into which leads into the DT. This tank would be rimless and it would have a rock structure that would allow the water to flow into a frag grow out tank. This is just a pipe dream for now.
southern wolf
Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemmy http:///t/390512/i-hope-i-can-swim-first-venture-into-saltwater-29g-build/140#post_3476550
It could work. You would be fighting a never ending battle with keeping the macros trimmed, IMO. If done right. I think it look real neat.
For my next tank, I am considering a waterfall tank. The water would flow from the sump to the display refugium. From there, I would have a rock structure that the water would flow into which leads into the DT. This tank would be rimless and it would have a rock structure that would allow the water to flow into a frag grow out tank. This is just a pipe dream for now.
That would be a slick tank
Originally Posted by Gemmy http:///t/390512/i-hope-i-can-swim-first-venture-into-saltwater-29g-build/140#post_3476550
It could work. You would be fighting a never ending battle with keeping the macros trimmed, IMO. If done right. I think it look real neat.
For my next tank, I am considering a waterfall tank. The water would flow from the sump to the display refugium. From there, I would have a rock structure that the water would flow into which leads into the DT. This tank would be rimless and it would have a rock structure that would allow the water to flow into a frag grow out tank. This is just a pipe dream for now.
That would be a slick tank
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
I absolutely love display fuges.
It can definitely be done - but it depends on how quickly your macroalgaes grow and how quickly you can prune. With as lazy as I am, the whole tank would eventually become my fuge. That's why I wouldn't mix the two... Just because I'm too lazy.
I like Gemmy's idea.
It can definitely be done - but it depends on how quickly your macroalgaes grow and how quickly you can prune. With as lazy as I am, the whole tank would eventually become my fuge. That's why I wouldn't mix the two... Just because I'm too lazy.
I like Gemmy's idea.