My new tank

[ichiriki]

Hi, this is my first post on this forum...One thing is I am Oo BubbaGumps oO little brother..lol
Well, here are my "stats"...
7 gallon tank
I need to read up on my stuff..my brother knows..
The filter is a whisper something...LoL!!
I have a 50 watt top fin heater...
Used to be Live,now dead sand..I believe..CC (Crushed Coral)...
Uhmm for now me and my brother switch off with the light...LoL
No LR yet..
How long duz it take to make LR....I have some Rocks, like dead brain coral and stuff...My bro sed monthes to years to get purple algae...
Can you just tell me how to go about this tank...like how many fish i can have?? Can I have a Purple Lobster?? How about a Percula with and anenome...???
Just give me a feel and help me to make this first tank a success....LoL!!!
thanks,
Jared

 

[cboyfan2020]

It all depends on what you want.
Definately get some test kits if your brother doesnt want to share(ammonia,nitrite,nitrate being most important)
If you are starting with dead base rock then it will probably take 6-12 months or longer for it to become functional. You can by a peice of LR from a store or your bro and it will help it move along faster.
I would let your tank cycle and then add maybe 1 or two small clowns or a clown and a firefish or something. Know that these fish will eventually need bigger homes so be prepared.
I strongly advise against getting an anenome until tank has been set up fo AT LEAST 8 months and even then they can quickly outgrow a 7 gallon tank.
Make sure you have aged,mixed saltwater on hand as with a tank that small the water quality can change in a second.
I would also suggest maybe one fish and a shrimp and some hermit crabs for a tank that size. Really easy to overcrowd that tank.
Research, research, research and ask lots of ?'s and you will do fine.
Good luck

 

[ichiriki]

Thanks for your help man...
I was really interested in that anenome and clownfish thing...By the way are perculas and clowns the same...Do they both like living with anenomes???
Are there anenomes that can maybe be permanent??
My bro and I share nitrate testers, nitrite testers, salt(instant ocean), all that good stuff we share....Could u tell me how much LR i would need and how deep should the bed be???
Right now i think its a ltitle to low, maybe LoL...Half an inch??
I have heard of cycling, what is it??
How do i "cycle"??
Thanks for your help....Man this water sure does evaporate fast....LoL!!
Jared

 

[ichiriki]

I have heard of puting the dead shrimp for the ammonia?? Does that start the cycle??? Do you need to get live rock, "fast", how long can u wait...I am waiting on my bro to get more live rock, can i put a dead shrimp or a couple in my tank right now??