Live Rock and cycling questions

[angel237]

Hey everyone! I am new to the hobby and have some questions...
I have a biocube 29g. with all stock options. Live sand. and 16lbs of live rock. I also took advice from some of you with a biocube and put live rock instead of the bioballs. My temp is at 79. and I have been cycling for the past week and leaving the fluroscent light on all day and night, and the night light 2 hours a day.
1. One of my live rocks is growing white algae in two parts of the rock. What does this mean? is it good or bad? also my rock is growing purple. green. and reddish algae! is this hood?
2. my lfs store told me I should change 5 gallons of water every two weeks. How do I change the 5 gallons? Are there any special technics? I am thinking about havinh a tank with live rock, fish, and some corals. oh and I do not have a skimmer.
3. Is this a good site to order fish and corals from?
4. Is there a website that shows which fishand corals are compatoble with each other?
5. Which fish are good to start with?
Just some questions that I have.
Thanks

 

[floatingfish]

alright, you ask all the good questions you will need answered for a great start. the white algea could be anything, including some type of sponge. Pictures and water levels will help everyone answer you questions more directly. Purple green and red is usually good and benefitial. red could be bad if slimy.....i think. 5 gallons/twice a week should be ok but always watch your levels. just pick up a five gallon bucket from walmart or somewhere and put the water in there and then salt. mix it very well and measure, always put the salt slowy. Most people will recommend a skimmer. this site is very good for alot of things, i have never heard any horror stories. there are fish compatibility chart but i could never fiqure out how to read them. just come up with a wish list and everyone can help you define it. good beginner fish include chromis, most damsels, and ????? well i dont know. no tang or angels would be recommended as a begginer fish. well let me know if i missed something or am incorrect.

 

[aztec reef]

yeah those are good questions, but they were too many i didn't know which one to answer..

so i'll just pick one:
1. it's totally normal to have algea bloom in new tanks specially when cycling, The cycling should take about 3-6 weeks.It's not bad..as for the purple algea that's coraline which is good.

 

[timt6379]

hey man it seems that u and me r rite there with each other, i have just a week ago started my first saltwater tank. i have some LR in there and am goin 2 buy more when i get more money. Butmine r purple rite now and i have found that
percula clowns and royal gramma are good starter fish and r real attractive. also i was told once mu cycle is over to buy some snails,hermits,a brittle starfish,cleaner shrimp, and an emerald crab. i was told these will help tremendously with the alge and waste and stuff that u realy dont want in there.
Send me some pics and i will send u some.

 

[floatingfish]

but remember he has a 29 gal, the brittle starfish would not be a good idea. i currently have some emaralds, hermits, a cleaner and they are great. royal grammas are so cool looking.

 

[angel237]

Thanks everyone I will post pictures soon....
So no one really knows about the white algae looking stuff growing on my live rock?
Also how should I stack my live rock? All on top of each other, or side to side to take up more space in the tank?
So far it's stacked on top of each other against the back....
Also what is the minumim and maximum signs on the side of the biocube?? And I don't see an indication on which level mine is at?!
Also still confused about the water change! So just buy a bucket and take the water out of the tank with ????....I know when I place new water I should just pur it slowly from the bucket, or another way???
Also so far I am buying water from the LFS, which they claim they are getting from the bay? Should I just buy the salt (from this website/lfs store), and start to mix, and make my own salt water?
I am thinking about getting Zoos, are the stock lights in the biocube okay for Zoos? Are they fish safe?
Thanks, Sorry for all of the questions.

 

[angel237]

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