New 24gal Cardiff aquarium

connor g

connor g

Member
I recieved a new 24 gallon Cardiff aquarium for Christmas, it came with a protein skimmer, and a biological filter all built in. My question is this, I picked up a test kit to test for pH, KH, nitrate, nitrite and amonia. What numbers should I be looking for to know my cycle is over? The live rock came from an established aquarium and I also picked up a bag of live sand. I was also wondering what kind of fish I can put in there, I would like a reef tank and was wondering if a Coral Beauty dwarf angel could work with a clown fish, yellowtailed damsel and an orchid dotty back? I also bought a book and it gave me a list of fish for smaller tanks ranging from 10-30 gallons and all of those fish were in there, so I am going off that information.
 
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smallreef

Guest
You will want Zero's for your nitrite and phosphate numbers...plus what water are you putting in to start? RO/DI? just RO.. distilled? tap :(
Then.. unfortunately all of those fish will not work in that small of a tank...
First of all, a coral beauty will get to big very quickly for a 29g, and will kill most shrimp and can harm corals if you're wanting a reef tank.
Next,the other fish could be fine together though the damsel is mean so could pick on the clown (it being of the damsel family also)
SO you could do the clown or damsel (I'd choose the clown or get 2 a male and female) and the dotty back and maybe another small fish or 2.. some tank bred bangaii cardinals would fit nicely?
 
connor g

connor g

Member
I bought pre-mixed saltwater from my LFS, they used RO/DI water for everything. I was also looking at the Bangaii cardinals and I really like them! Do clown fish do better in pairs or single? What about a clean up crew? Maybe even a starfish? If I use a buffer to raise the KH will it also have an effect on the pH as well? Would I be able to get 2 False Percula Clowns, 1 Orchid dotty back, and 2 Bangaii Cardinals?
 
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smallreef

Guest
clownfish can do fine by themselves,, i personally like having a pair especially in smaller tanks where you cant have very many fish to begin with.. I think the 2 clowns, dotty back and bangaiis would work well...
as far as a clean up crew,, some snails would work best... i wouldnt add a starfish this soon...
and if you buffer for KH it can affect Mag, calcium and possiby PH...
I always say dont dose for anything you dont own a test kit for (including everything else it can change...)Plus I dont see the need yet to worry about your KH?? your not talking about corals yet.. let the tank get settled with some liverock and sand and get cycled,, then when your Phosphates and nitrites are at 0 and start adding your fish slowly... (like you dottyback, wait 2 -3 weeks, then the bangaiis, wait another 2-3 weeks) that way it gives your filtration time to catch up with your bioload...
 
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smallreef

Guest
you could do pajama cardinals.. my personal preference is for tank bred fish when available,,, and i haven't seen any tank bred pajamas (though I do like their coloration better)
 
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smallreef

Guest
though i do see they have some ORA pajama cardinals for sale on here so that would be good!
 
connor g

connor g

Member
Does it matter what order I add them at? Could I add the 2 clowns first, then the 2 bangaiis and then the dotty back?
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Connor G http:///t/389653/new-24gal-cardiff-aquarium#post_3445414
Does it matter what order I add them at? Could I add the 2 clowns first, then the 2 bangaiis and then the dotty back?
That would be good. I would not add a starfish to such a small tank. They have specialized dietary needs that simply cannot be met in many smaller aquariums.
 
connor g

connor g

Member
I have one more question, I went to my LFS and asked the guy what I needed to start my aquarium, he gave me a KH test kit and I used it twice. However the directions arnt clear on how to read ur results, I tested this morning and it took 8 drops to turn it yellow. But I don't know if that's the KH or if I need to do somthing else that I missed?
 
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