New 14G Nano - advice please

[jpjae]

Just started a new 14G BioCube and would like advice re starting up.

This is my first aquarium (ever) and have started with:
10 lbs live rock;
20 live sand; and
1 packet of spiro bacteria.
I started last monday and current readings are:
Ph 8
Ammonia: 0
Nitrates: 0
Nitrites: .25
I've added a piece of raw shrimp (after reading one of the threads on starting a new tank) and added 6 very small hermit crabs because the aquarium guy said it would help cycling.
Just a couple of questions:
1. The shrimp (really small piece) has grown some sort of cloudy blisters on it. It's kinda like cloudly bubbles. Should I be worried? :help:
2. While the tank water is relatively clear, there seems to be some particulates floating around. I assume that this is fine - should I ever do a water change prior to the cycle being complete?
Thanks!

 

[perfectdark]

From what my experience has shown me and to what I have been told by a couple of my LFS's. When you use BioSpira you are adding a catylist to your tank to get it to cycle very quickly. This method is used by alot of people who are anxious and have no patients, so they want to add fish soon. If you deceide to use BioSpira it is essential that you add fish with in 24 hrs of dosing your tank. The essential bacteria that you activated by putting it into your tank will die if there is no biological waste to keep the bacteria alive. If you choose not to use it then wait 2 weeks after start up check your levels if all is good you can add 2 small fish, damsels are commonly used but are then given back once your tank is completly cycled 4 to 6 weeks. I personally used a Royal Gramma as my first fish. Shes fine and very healthy, I too used BiSpira to cycle my tank and added the Gramma in about 22 hours later.
Your tank is going to do some crazy things on start up, look coudy for a while may clear and then get cloudy again. I dont know what the white stuff is on your piece of shrimp other than decay. Hermits and snails dont add much at all to your bioload although they are essential to your clean up. However you do need something for them to clean so adding a fish is a good idea.

 

[clay12340]

There is no need to add fish. The whole purpose of the shrimp is that as it decays it provides the food(ammonia) for the biological filter. As the shrimp decays it will likely have white stringy stuff coming off of it and just look generally gross. I wouldn't worry about it.
Cycling a tank with fish in it is very hard on them. Even if they live and have no outward signs of damage their has probably been significant internal damage if ammonia levels rose very high.
If you're ammonia levels are at 0 and nitrite is rising then it shouldn't be too long before your nitrite reads zero and your nitrate is rising. At that point your tank is cycled and you can add a clean up crew. Once they are in and healthy keep checking your levels and you can slowly start adding other livestock.

 

[angel237]

Don't do a water change until the cycling process is fully over. Try to get your nitrites and nitrates more down. Everything else should be fine.

 

[jpjae]

Thanks!
Would have been nice if the aquarium people told me re the BioSpira - I would have just saved my $12.
Follow up:
1. Once cycled, if I want to add an anemone, can I add anything else beside the accociated species of clown fiwh - I guess I am afraid of another fish wondering into the anemone and getting killed.
2. What sequence of organisms is best? I've seen some lists on the boards but don't know if it is appropriate for a 14G. :thinking: How about:
Live rock 10lbs
Hermits - 6 (already in there)
Anemone - 1
Clown fish - 2
Other fish - 2
clam - 1
Do I need a shrimp/snails?
Thanks!

 

[clay12340]

The clam and anemone are probably going to have problems with your lighting. They both require very intense light and the power compacts that come with most nano tanks is not sufficient for their needs. Clowns don't require an anemone, so you can still keep the fish in your tank.
4 fish sounds like a lot for a 14g tank to me. I would shoot for 2 small clowns(percula or ocellaris(sp?)) if that is what you want and leave it at that until the tank is mature. Then maybe add another very small fish if everything is easily handling the bio-load.
Snails arn't required, but they are used by most people as a clean up crew. Your hermits will provide a similar service. Shrimp are usually more decorative, but some add other benefits.

 

[perfectdark]

I have a green bubble tip anenomie and it is fine. Truth is they are going to end up where they are happy. I dont really know what they say they need intense lighting. I put mine up to the top of my tank approx 3" away from my lights. Within 2 hours it was behind my LR hanging out and fully blown up. It hasent moved in over 2 weeks. I moved it out and it went right back, I dont know why but they have the last decision and now i have to reach behind the LR to feed him but he is def happy.