New Nano 24G

[bkolfo4]

Hi!!
I have been reading here for several days now and would like to ask a couple of questions.
I have my Nano 24 setup and have started cycling with (2) Damsels. At this point, I would like to start planning for the slow addition of fish after the tank stabilizes. The plan is to return the Damsels to the local store, assuming they make it through the cycling process. . .
There seems to be so much information and different opinions on fish and inverts. What to add first, what is required to keep them, etc. For now, I was planning on the tank being a "Fish only" tank. Of course the kids want to see Nemo in the tank, and my wife really loves the star fish every time we go to the local shop. . . .
For now, I am picturing this tank with maybe one clown fish, one ? that will live with a clown, one star fish of some kind, a cleaner or coral banded shrimp, and crabs and/or snails. Is this too much for a tank this size? Are shrimp and starfish ok for a "fish only" tank or do they need a living coral/reef?
I used live sand at startup, do I need to add live rock, or are decorative rocks ok (I am wondering if I want the shrimp do I need live rock)? I also have a large conch shell that came from the ocean in the tank. Assuming the shell was cleaned properly before added to the tank, is it ok or would it be better removed?
Snails vs. crabs. Which is better, do I need both or neither? What species is best for a small tank? How many? Is the "nano" reef package from SWF my best bet?
Hope I have asked these questions correctly. . .Any comments would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Brian Owens

 

[firefish21]

Hello :jumping:
I have a 12g Nano Cube, in that I have 2 clowns 1 lawnmower blenny, 1 sally light foot crab, 5 hermits, 5 astrea snails, 10 cerith snails, 2 margarita snails. So, in your tank you could have a pair of clowns (much cuter to watch them play together). My blenny is awesome so I would recommend one of those guys. A fire fish gobie would also be a good addition.
LR is good to have for filtration, the cleanup crew will also pick food off of the LR. You could get some LR and some base rock, but if i were you I would at least get SOME.
Its good to have a mixture of snails/crabs for your clean up crew. I would recommend a cleaner shrimp, several snails, several hermits. They will keep the sand bed/rocks/glass clean.
Most people dont recommend stars for small tanks, but I know a lot of people who keep them. There are some that you can definitely not get tho.
Good luck with your tank

 

[reefman22]

I used to have the 24 nano (mine was deluxe) so I know right were you were. To start, fish only tanks are usually more aggressive but not always (in your case, it probably wont be). So if you (or your family haha) want to get a "nemo" then you must have a peaceful tank (which is the best idea because usually more aggressive fish tend to be bigger). So you can have a nemo (or 2 if they are the tiny ones), snails, crabs, and a cleaner shirmp (shrimp are usually a no-no in a fowler- fish only with live rock because aggressive fish will.... you know.....) and a starfish is not a very good idea for a 24 nano for these reasons: they eat off live rock and live rock only so for most starfish you will need about 75 lbs of LR for them to eat and they get big. So my suggestion is 30-40 lbs of live sand, 30-40 lbs of live rock, 3-5 turbo snails, 5-7 hermits, a nemo or 2 (if you are wondering, nemos are called percula clowns and you will probably want false perculas, these are smaller and brighter and look nicer. with falce percs, you can get 2 for ur tank), and maybe 2 or 3 more small fish. you can choose from goby (not mandarine!!!!!), blenny, cardinal, basslet, or any other small fish. my favorites are purple firefish goby, and green reef chromises (damsel). that will get your tank colorful and awesome!!! I hope this helps and keep us posted on the progress! do you have any pics now?

 

[reefman22]

oh yeah i forgot to answer some questions. Live rock is a 110% good idea. it is the best filtration. ever. and the nano pack on swf would be awesome for your tank and you can add a cleaner shrimp later on if youd like. happy to help

 

[bkolfo4]

Thanks!!!
My last questions (for now): When should I add the LR? The tank is in the middle of its first cycling. Right now, the Amonia has fallen off to almost zero and the nitrite is up just a little. Nitrate is still 0. Should I remove the bio-balls from the filter when I add LR?
At the start, I used R/O water, added 20 lbs LS and (2) teaspooons of eco-start. 3 days later I added the pair of Damsels (I wish they got along with clown; I like the color of the yellow tails).
Thanks!!!
Brian

 

[sweetdawn]

you need to get your live rock in now before you add the fish even if the lfs says it is cured it probably isnt completly cured so you need to put it in now so it will do its recycle before you put in the fish not after

 

[bkolfo4]

Added 22 lbs of LR today. 2 nice looking pieces, lots of growth and they fit nicely in the tank. Even had a couple of small hermits attached when I got home.
So I already have another question. . . Is it normal for the pH to be low everyday? I add buffer and bring it up to 8.2, but 24 hrs later it is back down to 8.0. Is that normal for a new tank? Do I need to add more buffer up front? I have been adding just enough to bring it to 8.2 each day.
Thanks!
Brian

 

[sweetdawn]

try checking your alkalinity

 

[bkolfo4]

I posted this in the new section, but thought I would follow up here, as no response there yet.
Here is what I have in this order:
Day one: Added RO water and salt (tank held 19-20 gallons). Stablized the SG to 1.022-23 with temp at 79 degrees. Added 20 lbs LS and 2 tsp Kent Eco-Start (amount directions indicated).
Day two: Add eco-start per directions. SG still 1.022-23.
Day three: Had LFS check pH. Looked ok, so I added two yellow tailed blue damsels and more Eco-Start (as direction indicated).
Day four: Feed fish, add Eco-Start. Bought test kit. Tested pH: 8.0 added pH buffer.
Amonia: 0-.25, Nitrites: .25-.5, Nitrates: 0-5, SG: 1.022-23
Day five: Add 22 lbs cured live rock and eco-start (and small blue hermit appeared from somewhere in one of the rocks). Test pH - add buffer
Amonia: 0-.25, Nitrates: 5-10 (Did not test Nitrites), SG: 1.022-23
Day Six: feed fish; they are doing great. Crab still alive eating on the same rock he came in on. No more eco-start. pH: 8.1 - added slight amount of buffer. 9:00 pm - feed fish again, because they are swimming around picking at everything like they are hungry. They eat what I put in within 2 minutes.
Amonia: closer to 0 than .25, Nitrites: 0, Nitrates: 10.
Day seven (this morning): Fish are happy, crab is alive very active. No testing yet today.
Does this seem to be going ok? Am I doing something that is preventing a correct cycle to start the tank? I don't plan on more fish for a few weeks, but it seems like the tank is ready from the test results. Maybe the eco-start is causing false testing?
Brian

 

[rainfishy]

Brain- if i were you i would stop adding buffer and work on getting your PH balanced naturally. Buffer really through off my alkalinity and I only added it once. i'm not an expert on this just explaining what happened to me and after it happened I researched it on this site and found a lot of info to support not using buffer, especially if your not testing your alk.
I would wait before adding more thing, seven days really isn't enough time for a complete cycle, even if you used live bacteria or eco-start or whatever
On the bright side I have had damsels and percs together with no problems.
Patience is key, but good luck h*

 

[bkolfo4]

Thanks. I am actually going to take a sample to the LFS tomorrow and have the Alkalinity tested. pH was low again today.
Today's tests:
Amonia: 0, Nitrites: 0, Nitrates: 10 (maybe a little above, but not near 15)
Fish great and another blue leg hermit appeared today. . .
Interesting, I found this on wetwebmedia on cycling:
"Live Rock, Maybe Sand:
These nifty "products" are natural bits of the reef… they come replete with all sorts of life in/on them… and are able to spread, populate your new system with the greatest of ease. Even for "fish only" systems, a pound or more per ten gallons of either or both LR/LS is about all that’s called for to get things going. How to apply the rock and/or sand? Plunk, sprinkle them in. Done.
Time Frame: May be zero, as in "instantly cycled", to a few (2-3) weeks generally."
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/estbiofiltmar.htm
Brian