My new setup - comments?

[sugarfox03]

Hey everyone! I bought a 24 gal Nano today, with salt water from the shop, live sand, and 1 live rock. I will be buying more live rock this week (they are getting a shipment in Thursday). How soon can I add fish? I'm in no rush, I just want to know how long I should wait. The water I bought is already at a safe level, I'm not yet familiar with all the "lingo" so please bare with me!

I want to do a reef tank, with coral, small fish, anemones, etc...I have always been a fan of the hobby, just never had the time or the money to dedicate towards it. Thanks in advance for any info, suggestions, comments.
-Melody

 

[lion_crazz]

Hi Melody, it sounds like you are on your way to a beautiful tank. Welcome to the message boards!
I would wait 3-6 weeks to add fish. You will need to allow time for your rock to cure and for your tank to cycle.
Any questions you have, please feel free to post them! There is no such thing as a dumb question in this hobby, except the one that is not asked.

 

[sugarfox03]

Thanks! I am really excited about starting this tank. It is something I have been wanting to do for so long now. I finally bit the bullet and went into a local store (lfs?) that my friend recommended and got the tank. I love it, just wish I had something more to look at! I had to go out and buy a 2.5 gal freshwater tank to put fish in so I had something to look at. :joy:
Is there a particular type of anemone, coral, etc I should start out with? The live rock I have in there already has a tiny little polyp or two of something growing on it. Is this ok? Also, since its kind of small, is there anything invert/coral-wise I need to stay away from? Thanks again for the help...I will be getting to know ya'll pretty well here in the next few weeks! I will have a lot of questions. I have done some research, but it was mostly on how the system works...I am pretty sure I have that down pretty well. But as far as livestock and such, I'm pretty much at the "whats a wrasse?" level...ok, maybe not THAT bad - but close!
-Melody

 

[lion_crazz]

Some good starter corals when your tank is ready for them would be just some simple mushrooms, polyps, maybe a small leather or finger.
The stuff growing on your live rock is fine.
Live rock is the most important thing of your tank. Make sure you get a good 25-30 lbs. in there.
It's nice to meet you Melody, and I am sure we will become well aquainted in the next few weeks.

 

[mcsd22]

Melody, you should stay away from the anemones for a while, 6 months or so. They requir prestine water and that will be hard to achieve at first. Probably the best fish advise comes from LION. He has helped me and alot of others. It sucks looking at an empty tank but its the right thing to do so be patient and good things will come. Did you buy lights and what kind did you get? Thats important when it comes to coral. best of luck.

 

[sugarfox03]

I have heard about the 6 month grace period for the anemone. I bought the "Aqua Pod" nano type tank, with everything included. I will check the box for the brand of lights, but both guys in the store recommended them, and one has the same thing in his home and loves it. I know it has 3 separate lights, white, actinic, and moon.
Since I cannot get an anemone, should I also wait to get the Percula? I plan on getting more live rock this weekend, they had very little selection in the store, they have been waiting for a shipment for 2 weeks now, but said it will be there on Thursday, also with a huge load of fish (will be SO hard not to get one!) The tank is clear this morning, looks great! I'm in love already, and I only have the 1 small rock in there,

When I was looking everything over last night, I didn't see anything labeled a "protein skimmer" is this something that is automatically built in to these tanks, or is it always sold separately? I'll ask the fish guy when i go in there, but that wont be for a few days.
Also, how often should I test the water, and is it better to get a home kit or bring it in to be tested?
Thanks for the help so far, you guys are awesome!

 

[lion_crazz]

Yes, as stated, you definitely want to wait the 6 months for the anemone. It's up to you if you want to wait for the clown as well. I would probably just forget about doing an anemone, and do a pair of percula's after the cyle and clean-up crew. Then, after a few more weeks, begin stocking hardy corals and see how they make out for you. If you forget the anemone, you will have a lot more room for corals.
You definitely want to have your own test kits. You will need a pH, kH or alkalinity, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. I would also STRONGLY recommend that you get a refarctometer to check your salinity level. These things are incredibly accurate and will make sure your tank is very healthy. SWF.com sells one for $50 that works excellently. Trust me, these things are well-worth the money.
For that size tank, I would think you can get by without a protein skimmer if you do not overstock it with fish and you do get a nice sized clean-up crew. Personally, if you just do the 2 clowns, and maybe one smalller fish (goby or blenny or basslet), you will not need a skimmer. If you can find a skimmer that will fit on that size tank though, it cannot hurt to add it on.

 

[fishmamma]

Hi, great tank purchase!! You can add the clown by itself no problem, they do not need an anemone. I have clowns that host a leather coral and another a mushroom. I am a huge fan of skimmers and I know they just came out with a small one to fit in the nano cubes though I don't know too much about it. Maybe ask over in the nano forum. Have fun watching the critters come out of your live rock, ask any all question......this is such a great hobby.