New 30g any suggestions?

[ppm411]

I'm about 6 days into my tank. It's a 30 gallon. I started by filling the tank with regular fresh water (untreated). I let it sit for about 2 days so the chlorine would evaporate. Then I added the salt, 2 bags of live sand, and about 30lbs of dead rock. Filtration consists of a Fluval 404 canister. I was told this filtration would be enough for the time being and that it would be a good idea to add a light at some point. A few days later, I bought 3 Blue Devils and dripped them in. They were very very timid at first but are becoming more and more comfortable as time goes on. It's amazing how different each of their personalities are. They've all established their territories and it's not question who the king of the tank is at this point. As far as the Nitrogen Cycle goes, the nitrates are up to 20ppm and rising. I set up a nice spreadsheet in excel with a graph so I can monitor the progress. Email me if you want a copy in case you're setting up a new tank (ppm311@aol.com). Now for my question, do any of you have any suggestions as to how I've started? After reading quite a bit and talking to various veterans, I've come to realize that this hobby is much like golf in that you can't tell someone how to swing their club. It's all personal preference, so don't hesitate to give me your opinions. Looking forward to hearing from some of you.

 

[jdragunas]

Ok,
1. Chlorine doesn't evaporate, so you should probably add a water conditioner to the water already in the tank.
2. Using live fish to cycle the tank is kinda barbaric, so i'd use just LR, LS, or a few dead shrimp from the grocery store, and take back the damsels.
3. You definately need lighting before you get anything you would like to keep alive.
Also, are you testing for ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, ph, chlorine, chloramine, and alkalinity?
Have you read a book about saltwater fish?
As for the golf thing, you're right, no one can tell you how to swing the club, but there's a best way to do it. You don't want to swing it backwards, or upside down, because you probably won't hit the ball. It's just the same with an aquarium, there's a few different ways of doing things, but some of them will keep the fish alive and others won't.

 

[ppm411]

Thanks for taking the time to respond.
1. hmm, I was under the impression that the water would rid itself of chlorine after 48 hours. I'll add some water conditioner as you suggested.
2. I'm already using LS and think the damsels are here to stay because, well, I'm a barbarian I guess. Although I am patient, I was hoping that the damsels would introduced some ammonia to the cycle and speed things up a bit.
3. I have a regular light but someone suggested a Sterilization light. Sorry, I don't know what the terminology is.
I've been testing everyday. Here are my levels:
DateAmmoniaNitriteNitrate
7-Sep000
8-Sep0.25010
9-Sep0.40.2520
10-Sep10.520
11-Sep10.520
12-Sep1520
Do you think I should add chlorine, chloramine, and alkalinity tests to my repetoire?
Along with research on the internet, I have a copy of Saltwater Fish for Dummies since that's what I am (when it comes to this anyway).
Agreed on the golf analogy. Hopefully I'll have more luck with this.
Thanks again.

 

[kdfrosty]

Whoa...take a few steps back.
1) Yes, use water conditioner to get rid of chlorine. From now on I would use only reverse osmosis or distilled water in your tank. This will save you headaches and aggravation in the long run.
2) You could've saved some $$ and a giant headache by not using damsels so early in your cycle. Damsels are very aggressive and territorial. It will be hard to add anything else to your tank without the damsels being pissed. Also, you might only be able to keep one more fish in your 30g tank before it is overstocked....and a little fish at that. If you ever want to get rid of the damsels to replace them with new fish....good luck. They're super hard to catch in an established tank.
3) Unless you plan on keeping corals or clams you don't need much more light than you're already using. If you decide to keep corals, etc you won't want to add them for a while anyways, so your lighting is good for now. I can't really comment on the UV sterilizer..dont know much about them
At this point the only tests I would be doing are salinity, pH, Ammonia, Nitrites, and Nitrates. A little later you'll want to worry about testing for other stuff.
RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH! It will help you out as well as save you time, money, and headaches in the future.

 

[jdragunas]

You'll eventually want to add the other tests, but for now, the ones you have are fine.
"Here to stay"...I don't know how much longer your damsels will last in that tank with the nitrates, ites, and ammonia being so high, but it sounds like a good cycle besides that.
Hmmm... Saltwater for Dummies... I started out with this book, and i didn't like it after i found this website. I learned more from just reading the threads on this forum. It was a good starter book, because it gets you familiar with terminology and whatnot, but it lacked a lot of information. I'd suggest getting "The Concientious Marine Aquarist". You should be able to find this at any LFS, or bookstore... If not, it's probably not a good LFS...lol. This book is amazing. Another one i purchased that was an AWESOME book to have is "the pocket hanguide to marine fish". This little book tells you information on over 500 saltwater fish, including the size they get, the size tank they need, what they eat, who they get along with, who they don't and much more! This was really great to have when i was planning my tank, and it still is.
With the sterilization light, they probably meant a UV sterilizer. You don't really need to have one of those, if you have LR, LS, and a filter, although some people would swear by one...golf...
If you have any more questions, or anything, feel free...

 

[kdfrosty]

I too have "The Concientious Marine Aquarist". It is one of the best books out there, but IMO nothing stacks up to SWF.com. It's a wealth of resources right here.

 

[ppm411]

Thanks for all of your help. I've gotten through the first chapter of the book and it's as good as all of you say. From what I gather so far, tap water was my #1 mistake. I did add some water purifier to me existing set up to try and correct it but I probably already killed the live sand. Distilled water I'm pretty sure I can find at the supermarket but what is reverse osmosis? The damsels are still swimming around despite the torture I'm putting them through. Poor little

[hr]
. I was hoping to find someone at the local pet store to be my mentor but you're right they just want my money and don't really give a hoot beyond that. Unfortunately, my micro saltwater system (as Fenner calls it) is only 30 gallons which seems like a issue as well. However, I have a nice big bow front waiting for me. I was hoping to get acclimated with the marine aquarium on a smaller scale before I hit the big time. Looks like I'll go with some clowns, gobies, basslets etc. when the tank is ready. 5-6 fish tops.

 

[jdragunas]

Actually, the larger the tank, the easier it is. You have a larger margin of error to mess with. The tap water won't kill your LS, but it can hurt the fish, and cause an overgrowth of algae. If you have a Walmart supercenter around you, they sell R/O water by the gallon. If not, you can buy a R/O unit, but they get really pricey. The R/O unit is nice, b/c it purifies your drinking water too. you can hook it up right to your sink. it's definately a good investment, if you have the money...which i don't

Distilled water is definately better than tap, but R/O is the best.

Glad to be of assistance!
jenn

 

[ppm411]

Holy smokes. My 'trates are up to 160. Is a water change in store or should I let the cycle/nature take it's course. It's day 7.
Amm 'trites 'trates
0.255160

 

[jdragunas]

lol... don't worry, it'll be ok. When i cycled my tank, the ates were so high they were off the chart. I couldn't tell you what they were, because the color wasn't on the comparison chart...lol. This was before i found SWF.com, and i had read saltwater aquariums for dummies... i had no idea the tank was supposed to cycle, so i was freaking out... lol

You should continuously do water changes, about once a week. This is how you'll eventually get the ates, ites, and ammonia down.

Good cycle, though.
Jenn

 

[ppm411]

I'm glad you find this so amusing

I'm glad I'm experimenting with the 30gal before I go to the big one. Lessons learned everyday. Being a little bit on the color-blind side, testing takes a little longer than it should. :notsure:
This is fun :jumping:

 

[jdragunas]

That's what it's all about! Glad you're enjoying yourself so much!
Jenn

 

[oneradtek]

hey im basically right where you are and in your SAME situation.....we should talk

 

[jdragunas]

Originally Posted by oneradtek
hey im basically right where you are and in your SAME situation.....we should talk
who? :notsure:

 

[oneradtek]

Ppm411

 

[ppm411]

how's it going so far oneradtek?

 

[oneradtek]

so far its very good.....im using a standard 30 gallon with standard lighting......i got a hang on filter with CC and 10 lbs live rock.....2 damsels, 78 degrees.....the tanks been going for a week and a half and it is going good.....i have little things growing on my LR and thats pretty cool to watch.....i think i even have a small feather duster....i agree with the damsel thing....and by the way theyre not hard to catch ...already caught one and took it back because it wasnt what i wanted in there.....but i have some brown algae growth....i guess its normal during cycling....
let me know how things are going for you....i think im going to get a power head next... :jumping:

 

[dexter]

hello again all. Long time no post. Sry - been dodging hurricanes :scared:
Well my 30 gallon has been up and running for almost 4 months so far and aside from a few beginners mistakes, all is good and I am investing in a 100 gallon in about 1-2 months. Sump, skimmer, etc... prolly a refugium.

Current 30 gallon inhabitants: 1 Maroon Clown, 1 yellow tail damsel (devil?), coral banded, 3 emeralds, 1 cuke, 2 brittle stars, 1 condi, 1 peppermints, 1 lg feather duster, 1 horseshoe, multiple hermits and snails. that's about all for now except maybe a fedw more featherdusters down the road. :happyfish
Anyways, the best advise i can give to is to be patient and keep reading. Add fish/livestock slowly and keep posting and reading here. Along with the suggested readings, this site has been my savior.

onerad - time to look into a cleaning crew. This website has some great packages and I personally got the 55 gallon crew. very pleased with them!
ppm411 - patience. Its the hardest thing for me, however, this site helps the craving to put anything else in my lil 30 gal tank. :jumping:
Overall, do water changes about every week or two as you levels dictate and keep up with the chart of your findings.
Peace,
Dxtr :happyfish

 

[ppm411]

Originally Posted by oneradtek
so far its very good.....im using a standard 30 gallon with standard lighting......i got a hang on filter with CC and 10 lbs live rock.....2 damsels, 78 degrees.....the tanks been going for a week and a half and it is going good.....i have little things growing on my LR and thats pretty cool to watch.....i think i even have a small feather duster....i agree with the damsel thing....and by the way theyre not hard to catch ...already caught one and took it back because it wasnt what i wanted in there.....but i have some brown algae growth....i guess its normal during cycling....
let me know how things are going for you....i think im going to get a power head next... :jumping:
Overall, things are looking pretty good. The damsels are more active than ever. My trates are through the roof so I think my cycle is going pretty well so far. I'm going to change about 5 gallons of water this afternoon. I'll condition and presalt it and leave it be so it isn't too cold. I have another heater but since there's really nothing valuable in the tank so i'm not going to worry about the temp too much. Looking ahead, I hope to add a pair of clownies in a couple of weeks. What kind of fish are you thinking about?

 

[ppm411]

Originally Posted by Dexter
hello again all. Long time no post. Sry - been dodging hurricanes :scared:
Well my 30 gallon has been up and running for almost 4 months so far and aside from a few beginners mistakes, all is good and I am investing in a 100 gallon in about 1-2 months. Sump, skimmer, etc... prolly a refugium.

Current 30 gallon inhabitants: 1 Maroon Clown, 1 yellow tail damsel (devil?), coral banded, 3 emeralds, 1 cuke, 2 brittle stars, 1 condi, 1 peppermints, 1 lg feather duster, 1 horseshoe, multiple hermits and snails. that's about all for now except maybe a fedw more featherdusters down the road. :happyfish
.
.
.
Dxtr :happyfish

I'm suprised you have so many fish in your tank. All of the reading I've been doing suggests 1" per 5 gallons but I guess it's more a matter of how much maintenance you're willing do do. I'm interested in the variety of invertabrates you have. What special exceptions do you make with them? Temp? Testing? Food? Light? etc.
The 100g sounds awesome. I'm trying to follow the same path. Learn and make my mistakes with the 30 and then get more serious. I'm sure I'll make more mistakes down the road but at least all of the basic principles will be there.