New NanoCube ?s for FO/FOWLR

[zephyrlily]

Hello,
I just got a Nano Cube as a gift, it was set up 3 days ago. Right now it just has crushed coral substrate. SG is 1.022. Still debating whether to get the coral rock from the dealer (pieces haven't come in yet) or live rock from another nearby lps. It's sounds like LR is more beneficial in a FO tank. Opinions welcomed. When its cycled I plan on having a percula clown and then maybe a goby or blenny.
I've read some gobies like to buddy up with certain shrimp, can shrimp live on coral rock or only LR?
Another thing I'm dealing with is temperature. I live in HI so it's warm all year round. I have a floating thermometer on the left side, away from the flow. During the day it's reading on the top border of yellow, 86F. This morning its 84F, so it seems to stay in that range (no heater in tank). It does get warmer in the apt. in the afternoons when the sun comes down, no direct light just heat on my side of the bldg., tank is away from window. I've taken out some water to create more turbulence but that doesn't seem to have affected it. Any suggestions?
When the tanks in cycle does the lighting need to be on daily as it would with fish in it, does it help the cycle? BTW, lighting doesn't seem to fluctuate temp much.
Thanks

 

[nudibranch]

I'd get rid of the CC) and replace it with LS, esp if you want to have a shrimp goby and it's partner shrimp. The sand bed doesn't have the be all LS, you could buy sand from a LFS and seed it with LS. Stick with the LR it will be more beneficial and IMO look better/more realistic.
If possible you could try placing a small fan in the hood to cool the tank off a little more.
The lights don't have to be on durring the cycle, but if you are using LR to cycle want the light on for coraline algae to grow.
HTH

 

[zephyrlily]

Thanks Nudibranch,
Actually the cc I mentioned is coral sand (my bad) and since I last posted I have seeded it with LS and a nice sized hermit crab to help cycle. Getting faint readings of ammonia. The temp has been steady at 82F, I'll look into getting a fan. Thanks again :happyfish

 

[overanalyzer]

Zeph - watch the crab - not the best choice to help along a cycle - a small piece of raw shrimp from the grocery store would be better ..... the crab does not output much waste (ammonia) unless it has waste to eat .....
Also - how long are you running the lights? Not more than 10-12 hours a day - if you are going longer it will help keep your temp elevated!!
Welcome to SWF.com and keep us all posted!!
and yes I am jealous you live in Hawaii!!

 

[zephyrlily]

overanalyzer,
I have another post regarding the cycle with the hermit, (in 12 days my ammonia and nitrite have zeroed out). I've been feeding him fish flakes which he chases after and he's actually quite a pooper (several times a day).
I haven't been using the lights much with the cycle, 1-2 hrs daily.

 

[overanalyzer]

Originally posted by zephyrlily
overanalyzer,
I have another post regarding the cycle with the hermit, (in 12 days my ammonia and nitrite have zeroed out). I've been feeding him fish flakes which he chases after and he's actually quite a pooper (several times a day).
I haven't been using the lights much with the cycle, 1-2 hrs daily.
very cool -a lot of folks neglect to feed their crabs ....
sounds like things are going well how are things going?