Ok i got my sand water and cycle
- Thread starter fishey
- Start date
underthesea
Member
What size tank do you have and what type of lighting and filtration system do you have? Do you have live rock in the tank?
S
sinner's girl
Guest
You may want to copy and paste your info from your other post. People will need to know basic info each time you ask a question, it's a good idea to put tank size, filter, lights and all that in your sig, that way when you post the info is there.
Ok, so now you have a 20 gl tank, did it come with lights, filter, heater and such?
once you have that set up, Put your sand in the bottom of the tank, (ask how much, i'm not sure- if you have a ugf i think it's 1-2 inches over the filter) add premixed salt water, let it settle, add deli shrimp, then get ready to wait, the shrimp will cycle the tank, it will tank a few weeks, I don't remember how long, search or ask how long.
Oh you may want to rinse your sand before adding it, some say to do that, others say they don't, reseach and figure out what's best for you.
Hope that helps
Ok, so now you have a 20 gl tank, did it come with lights, filter, heater and such?
once you have that set up, Put your sand in the bottom of the tank, (ask how much, i'm not sure- if you have a ugf i think it's 1-2 inches over the filter) add premixed salt water, let it settle, add deli shrimp, then get ready to wait, the shrimp will cycle the tank, it will tank a few weeks, I don't remember how long, search or ask how long.
Oh you may want to rinse your sand before adding it, some say to do that, others say they don't, reseach and figure out what's best for you.
Hope that helps
salty guy
Member
Well how long have you had this 20gal? tank running?
What do you want to do with the tank FO, FOWLR, Reef?
Whats up with your filter? If you need a new one get one and get a skimmer <-- more inportant than filter IMHO.
But I would sugest if you are going to do a FOWRL, or a Reef tank get you RL now and let it go for several weeks.
Once thats finished start your water changes and get a good cleaning crew. Crabs, snails, shrimp, maybe even a star or two.
Leave them for several weeks to pick threw your LR and they will make a mess out of it. Then add a fish. Then in a few weeks add another. If things are going well and nothing had died and your tests are all good add another.
What do you want to do with the tank FO, FOWLR, Reef?
Whats up with your filter? If you need a new one get one and get a skimmer <-- more inportant than filter IMHO.
But I would sugest if you are going to do a FOWRL, or a Reef tank get you RL now and let it go for several weeks.
Once thats finished start your water changes and get a good cleaning crew. Crabs, snails, shrimp, maybe even a star or two.
Leave them for several weeks to pick threw your LR and they will make a mess out of it. Then add a fish. Then in a few weeks add another. If things are going well and nothing had died and your tests are all good add another.
fishey
Member
Author Topic: Advice for new salt water fish
Fishey
Damsel
Member # 5294
posted February 15, 2002 11:57 AM
[hr]
I need to know how to take care of salt water fish because im getting them can some one tell me how to take care of them........
[hr]
Posts: 12 | From: Newyork | Registered: Feb 2002 | IP: Logged
give me fish
Firefish
Member # 200
posted February 15, 2002 12:06 PM
[hr]
It depends on the type of fish. What do you have for a tank size, filter, lighting, does it have lr etc.?
[hr]
Tank: 150 Gallon
LiveRock: 250 LBS
Bottom: 150lbs sand bed
Lighting: 4 96watt PC 2 actinic & 2 12,000 Kalvin
Filtration: Americal Wet Dry(Capacity 400 Gallon) Berlin XL Turbo protein Skimmer
Rainbow Life Guard 40 watt UV sterilizer
Fish: Yellow Tang, sohal Tang, Powder Blue Tang, blue Damsel, 1 pair Sebae Clowns.
Inverts: 10 serpent stars, 1 brittle star, 5 leather corals, 2 bubble corals, Galaxia Coral, 2 open Brains, Mushrooms over 200 single stocks(Red,Blue,metalic green hairy), Gorgonia, 150 blu legged hermits, 100 scarlet hermits, 150 turbo snails.
Other tanks also but I figured I would start with this one.
[hr]
Posts: 74 | From: Athol, Massachusetts | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged
Fishey
Damsel
Member # 5294
posted February 15, 2002 12:08 PM
[hr]
A 10 gallon
[hr]
Posts: 12 | From: Newyork | Registered: Feb 2002 | IP: Logged
Fishey
Damsel
Member # 5294
posted February 15, 2002 12:15 PM
[hr]
Uh what stuff would i need for salt water fish
[hr]
Posts: 12 | From: Newyork | Registered: Feb 2002 | IP: Logged
Fishey
Damsel
Member # 5294
posted February 15, 2002 12:15 PM
[hr]
Uh what stuff would i need for salt water fish
[hr]
Posts: 12 | From: Newyork | Registered: Feb 2002 | IP: Logged
Fishey
Damsel
Member # 5294
posted February 15, 2002 12:15 PM
[hr]
Uh what stuff would i need for salt water fish
[hr]
Posts: 12 | From: Newyork | Registered: Feb 2002 | IP: Logged
give me fish
Firefish
Member # 200
posted February 15, 2002 12:17 PM
[hr]
Your are going to need a good filter and a protein skimmer. Also youare going to need some good lighting. Also live rock helps. Also a good sand bed.
[hr]
Tank: 150 Gallon
LiveRock: 250 LBS
Bottom: 150lbs sand bed
Lighting: 4 96watt PC 2 actinic & 2 12,000 Kalvin
Filtration: Americal Wet Dry(Capacity 400 Gallon) Berlin XL Turbo protein Skimmer
Rainbow Life Guard 40 watt UV sterilizer
Fish: Yellow Tang, sohal Tang, Powder Blue Tang, blue Damsel, 1 pair Sebae Clowns.
Inverts: 10 serpent stars, 1 brittle star, 5 leather corals, 2 bubble corals, Galaxia Coral, 2 open Brains, Mushrooms over 200 single stocks(Red,Blue,metalic green hairy), Gorgonia, 150 blu legged hermits, 100 scarlet hermits, 150 turbo snails.
Other tanks also but I figured I would start with this one.
[hr]
Posts: 74 | From: Athol, Massachusetts | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged
Fishey
Damsel
Member # 5294
posted February 15, 2002 12:18 PM
[hr]
Thank you heeh i just konw about fresh water thats why i need advice ;P and thanks : P
[hr]
Posts: 12 | From: Newyork | Registered: Feb 2002 | IP: Logged
Kris Walker
Queen Angel
Member # 3892
posted February 15, 2002 12:22 PM
[hr]
Hi Fishey,
It sounds like you are fresh into the hobby. So I'll assume you know nothing, and just list the things you will need to learn before getting saltwater fish.
Water quality (chemical levels: pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, salinity, temp)
Water sources (reverse-osmosis (RO), de-ionized (DI), distilled, not usually tap water)
Type of fish tank (glass or acryllic)
Lights (NO or VHO fluorescent, power compact (PC), metal halide (MH))
Type of substrate (crushed coral (CC) or sand like for a deep-sand bed (DSB))
Filters (over-the-back, sumps, canister, protein skimmers, wet-dry, etc)
Cleanup crew (hermit crabs, snails, starfish, etc)
Fish compatibility
Fish space issues (some fish require more space for their mass than others)
Well, I'm sure I missed some things, but I list what i thought of so you can learn about them, then make informed decisions about what is right for your situation. Sorry if you know all this already. Again, I was assuming you were starting from scratch.
Welcome to the addiction,
kris
[hr]
Life is one big reef.
[hr]
Posts: 879 | From: Palo Alto, CA | Registered: Oct 2001 | IP: Logged
fshhub
Emperor Angelfish
Member # 4184
posted February 15, 2002 12:23 PM
[hr]
ok, we woll offer plenty of addvice,and normally whenever you call, but i do have a suggestion
there is a book by michael paletta
titiled the NEW MARINE AQUARIUM, i would like to suggest you get a copy and read it befor you proceed, it is relatively inexpensive(for a book), adn very easy to read and understand, but covers most of your starting questions and then soem(including selection), ti has been a great help to many newer aquariists, and like i said it is very easy to undrstand, it pputs everythinginto the lamens perspective, and also has a step by step start up guide
taht would be the first hing i buy,a nd it wil only take a couple of hours to read
HTH and good luck
welcome aboard, your gonna love sw
[hr]
i.m.a.sw.junkie.r.u.2?
[hr]
Posts: 2062 | Registered: Dec 2001 | IP: Logged
Fishey
Damsel
Member # 5294
posted February 15, 2002 12:27 PM
[hr]
ok
[hr]
Posts: 12 | From: Newyork | Registered: Feb 2002 | IP: Logged
Fishey
Damsel
Member # 5294
posted February 15, 2002 12:34 PM
[hr]
whats thunder fish ehheeh
[hr]
Posts: 12 | From: Newyork | Registered: Feb 2002 | IP: Logged
Fishey
Damsel
Member # 5294
posted February 15, 2002 12:46 PM
[hr]
uh
nayone out there know what fish i should start with ???????????????????????????
[hr]
Posts: 12 | From: Newyork | Registered: Feb 2002 | IP: Logged
fshhub
Emperor Angelfish
Member # 4184
posted February 15, 2002 12:53 PM
[hr]
for a 10 gallon, i would say a damsel, a clownor a goby, that would be about it, but that is covered in the book i reccommended, do not worry about reading holding you back, you will not get the tank set up and running in a day, i would do htis before purchasing anything else, sw needs a little work to set up, and takes time, but is very worth it in the long run, start with the book, tehnbuy some salt and use what you ahve learned to your benefit,
do not be in a hurry to buy the fish today, i would wait and read today
[hr]
i.m.a.sw.junkie.r.u.2?
[hr]
Posts: 2062 | Registered: Dec 2001 | IP: Logged
Sinner's Girl
Heniouchus
Member # 4773
posted February 15, 2002 12:59 PM
[hr]
Hang around this board, read the post and you'll pick up lots of info. A protein skimmer, imo, is not needed for a 10 gl, research and find out if you want one before getting one.
I don't know if this was said, but you have to cycle your tank before adding sw fish! well you can cycle with damsels, but they may die, Throw in a some shrimp from the deli and/or some live rock. I just answered on a good fish to add.
oh you'll need salt....and it would be better if you didn't use tap water. Don't rush! Take things slow, let the tank cycle, (if you need to know how to cycle and how long and stuff, either read past topics or ask)
[hr]
55gl long. 2 clownfish - True percula (tank raised) (Name= Angel, Little Bit),
10+ Bluelegs, 7 Peppermint Shrimp, 8 Turbo Snails, Brittle Starfish, Serpent Starfish, 1 unknown crab that came in lr awhile ago-comes out if we give him shrimp. The tank is about a yr. old.
About 20-25lbs of LR. Undergravel filter with powerhead-only b/c we don't feel like taking it out, and Bio wheels.
[hr]
Posts: 142 | From: Louisiana | Registered: Jan 2002 | IP: Logged
Kris Walker
Queen Angel
Member # 3892
posted February 15, 2002 12:59 PM
[hr]
Great point, this is perhaps the BIGGEST mistake we all make. Patience is *absolutely required* for success in this hobby.
Good luck, and when you get ansy to buy a fish, and you know you should wait, go buy a book instead and share what you learn with us!
kris
[hr]
Life is one big reef.
[hr]
Posts: 879 | From: Palo Alto, CA | Registered: Oct 2001 | IP: Logged
krux
Damsel
Member # 4960
posted February 15, 2002 01:00 PM
[hr]
I also read The New Marine Aquarium, and I agree, after reading a dozen or so books in the last few weeks, I think it is one of the most basic, as well as thorough of the beginner books (if that makes sense). There are some other beginner books, but most of them deal with freshwater, and just have small sidebars or a couple chapters on marine environments.
I would recommend that if you are going to have to go out and buy filtration equipment, lights, and all the other things, that you might want to add to that list a larger tank. 10 gallons is just too small I think for a first sw tank. You will have wild swings in salinity, temperature, and checmicals, unless you are a chemist and used to doing things like this already. I got a 29 gallon tank from my local mall type mega pet store for 45 dollars, and used the old 10g tank that I was going to use originally as my quarantine tank instead.
Also, I think you will probably want a variety of fish in your tank, and you will probably only be able to get 1 or 2 to live comfortably in a 10 gallon tank unless you choose something really really small. Just spending 50 bucks will really give you a lot more options. Its also probably better to get the tank now and the other equipment to fit it, than get equipment for a 10 gallon tank and then realize in 6 months that you want something bigger and have to rebuy everything.
Also SWF has some package deals that you can take advantage of that are designed to start at about 30 gallons in size. If you do not live in a big city, and are looking for things to eat your algae for example, SWF has a deal that will fill your tank with cleaning goodness for like 89 dollars including all shipping and everything, delivered right to your front door. At all of my LFS all of the inverts are twice what they cost here, and they don't come with any assurance that they will live through their first night. They do not have such package deals for tanks only 10 gallons in size as far as I have seen so far, so thats one more reason to upgrade tank size.
Read and understand The New Aquarium, available all over the place (ISBN 1-890087-52-1) and it will answer a LOT of your first questions.
Good luck!
[hr]
Posts: 14 | Registered: Jan 2002 | IP: Logged
Sinner's Girl
Heniouchus
Member # 4773
posted February 15, 2002 01:06 PM
[hr]
good point, upgrade tank size now, or you will anyway in a few months. how many of us say "if i only had a bigger tank or I want a bigger tank" with bigger you can do more. and it is easier.
[hr]
55gl long. 2 clownfish - True percula (tank raised) (Name= Angel, Little Bit),
10+ Bluelegs, 7 Peppermint Shrimp, 8 Turbo Snails, Brittle Starfish, Serpent Starfish, 1 unknown crab that came in lr awhile ago-comes out if we give him shrimp. The tank is about a yr. old.
About 20-25lbs of LR. Undergravel filter with powerhead-only b/c we don't feel like taking it out, and Bio wheels.
[hr]
Posts: 142 | From: Louisiana | Registered: Jan 2002 | IP: Logged
Fishey
Damsel
Member # 5294
posted February 15, 2002 01:07 PM
[hr]
heh your right i should ask my mom to bring me to the fish store when she comes back from work
[hr]
Posts: 12 | From: Newyork | Registered: Feb 2002 | IP: Logged
Kris Walker
Queen Angel
Member # 3892
posted February 15, 2002 01:12 PM
[hr]
Also, remember it can get really expensive. Another reason to take it slow.
kris
[hr]
Life is one big reef.
[hr]
Posts: 879 | From: Palo Alto, CA | Registered: Oct 2001 | IP: Logged
Fishey
Damsel
Member # 5294
posted February 15, 2002 01:27 PM
[hr]
Lalala trying to keep this post first
[hr]
Posts: 12 | From: Newyork | Registered: Feb 2002 | IP: Logged
from other thing
Fishey
Damsel
Member # 5294
posted February 15, 2002 11:57 AM
[hr]
I need to know how to take care of salt water fish because im getting them can some one tell me how to take care of them........
[hr]
Posts: 12 | From: Newyork | Registered: Feb 2002 | IP: Logged
give me fish
Firefish
Member # 200
posted February 15, 2002 12:06 PM
[hr]
It depends on the type of fish. What do you have for a tank size, filter, lighting, does it have lr etc.?
[hr]
Tank: 150 Gallon
LiveRock: 250 LBS
Bottom: 150lbs sand bed
Lighting: 4 96watt PC 2 actinic & 2 12,000 Kalvin
Filtration: Americal Wet Dry(Capacity 400 Gallon) Berlin XL Turbo protein Skimmer
Rainbow Life Guard 40 watt UV sterilizer
Fish: Yellow Tang, sohal Tang, Powder Blue Tang, blue Damsel, 1 pair Sebae Clowns.
Inverts: 10 serpent stars, 1 brittle star, 5 leather corals, 2 bubble corals, Galaxia Coral, 2 open Brains, Mushrooms over 200 single stocks(Red,Blue,metalic green hairy), Gorgonia, 150 blu legged hermits, 100 scarlet hermits, 150 turbo snails.
Other tanks also but I figured I would start with this one.
[hr]
Posts: 74 | From: Athol, Massachusetts | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged
Fishey
Damsel
Member # 5294
posted February 15, 2002 12:08 PM
[hr]
A 10 gallon
[hr]
Posts: 12 | From: Newyork | Registered: Feb 2002 | IP: Logged
Fishey
Damsel
Member # 5294
posted February 15, 2002 12:15 PM
[hr]
Uh what stuff would i need for salt water fish
[hr]
Posts: 12 | From: Newyork | Registered: Feb 2002 | IP: Logged
Fishey
Damsel
Member # 5294
posted February 15, 2002 12:15 PM
[hr]
Uh what stuff would i need for salt water fish
[hr]
Posts: 12 | From: Newyork | Registered: Feb 2002 | IP: Logged
Fishey
Damsel
Member # 5294
posted February 15, 2002 12:15 PM
[hr]
Uh what stuff would i need for salt water fish
[hr]
Posts: 12 | From: Newyork | Registered: Feb 2002 | IP: Logged
give me fish
Firefish
Member # 200
posted February 15, 2002 12:17 PM
[hr]
Your are going to need a good filter and a protein skimmer. Also youare going to need some good lighting. Also live rock helps. Also a good sand bed.
[hr]
Tank: 150 Gallon
LiveRock: 250 LBS
Bottom: 150lbs sand bed
Lighting: 4 96watt PC 2 actinic & 2 12,000 Kalvin
Filtration: Americal Wet Dry(Capacity 400 Gallon) Berlin XL Turbo protein Skimmer
Rainbow Life Guard 40 watt UV sterilizer
Fish: Yellow Tang, sohal Tang, Powder Blue Tang, blue Damsel, 1 pair Sebae Clowns.
Inverts: 10 serpent stars, 1 brittle star, 5 leather corals, 2 bubble corals, Galaxia Coral, 2 open Brains, Mushrooms over 200 single stocks(Red,Blue,metalic green hairy), Gorgonia, 150 blu legged hermits, 100 scarlet hermits, 150 turbo snails.
Other tanks also but I figured I would start with this one.
[hr]
Posts: 74 | From: Athol, Massachusetts | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged
Fishey
Damsel
Member # 5294
posted February 15, 2002 12:18 PM
[hr]
Thank you heeh i just konw about fresh water thats why i need advice ;P and thanks : P
[hr]
Posts: 12 | From: Newyork | Registered: Feb 2002 | IP: Logged
Kris Walker
Queen Angel
Member # 3892
posted February 15, 2002 12:22 PM
[hr]
Hi Fishey,
It sounds like you are fresh into the hobby. So I'll assume you know nothing, and just list the things you will need to learn before getting saltwater fish.
Water quality (chemical levels: pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, salinity, temp)
Water sources (reverse-osmosis (RO), de-ionized (DI), distilled, not usually tap water)
Type of fish tank (glass or acryllic)
Lights (NO or VHO fluorescent, power compact (PC), metal halide (MH))
Type of substrate (crushed coral (CC) or sand like for a deep-sand bed (DSB))
Filters (over-the-back, sumps, canister, protein skimmers, wet-dry, etc)
Cleanup crew (hermit crabs, snails, starfish, etc)
Fish compatibility
Fish space issues (some fish require more space for their mass than others)
Well, I'm sure I missed some things, but I list what i thought of so you can learn about them, then make informed decisions about what is right for your situation. Sorry if you know all this already. Again, I was assuming you were starting from scratch.
Welcome to the addiction,
kris
[hr]
Life is one big reef.
[hr]
Posts: 879 | From: Palo Alto, CA | Registered: Oct 2001 | IP: Logged
fshhub
Emperor Angelfish
Member # 4184
posted February 15, 2002 12:23 PM
[hr]
ok, we woll offer plenty of addvice,and normally whenever you call, but i do have a suggestion
there is a book by michael paletta
titiled the NEW MARINE AQUARIUM, i would like to suggest you get a copy and read it befor you proceed, it is relatively inexpensive(for a book), adn very easy to read and understand, but covers most of your starting questions and then soem(including selection), ti has been a great help to many newer aquariists, and like i said it is very easy to undrstand, it pputs everythinginto the lamens perspective, and also has a step by step start up guide
taht would be the first hing i buy,a nd it wil only take a couple of hours to read
HTH and good luck
welcome aboard, your gonna love sw
[hr]
i.m.a.sw.junkie.r.u.2?
[hr]
Posts: 2062 | Registered: Dec 2001 | IP: Logged
Fishey
Damsel
Member # 5294
posted February 15, 2002 12:27 PM
[hr]
ok
[hr]
Posts: 12 | From: Newyork | Registered: Feb 2002 | IP: Logged
Fishey
Damsel
Member # 5294
posted February 15, 2002 12:34 PM
[hr]
whats thunder fish ehheeh
[hr]
Posts: 12 | From: Newyork | Registered: Feb 2002 | IP: Logged
Fishey
Damsel
Member # 5294
posted February 15, 2002 12:46 PM
[hr]
uh
nayone out there know what fish i should start with ???????????????????????????
[hr]
Posts: 12 | From: Newyork | Registered: Feb 2002 | IP: Logged
fshhub
Emperor Angelfish
Member # 4184
posted February 15, 2002 12:53 PM
[hr]
for a 10 gallon, i would say a damsel, a clownor a goby, that would be about it, but that is covered in the book i reccommended, do not worry about reading holding you back, you will not get the tank set up and running in a day, i would do htis before purchasing anything else, sw needs a little work to set up, and takes time, but is very worth it in the long run, start with the book, tehnbuy some salt and use what you ahve learned to your benefit,
do not be in a hurry to buy the fish today, i would wait and read today
[hr]
i.m.a.sw.junkie.r.u.2?
[hr]
Posts: 2062 | Registered: Dec 2001 | IP: Logged
Sinner's Girl
Heniouchus
Member # 4773
posted February 15, 2002 12:59 PM
[hr]
Hang around this board, read the post and you'll pick up lots of info. A protein skimmer, imo, is not needed for a 10 gl, research and find out if you want one before getting one.
I don't know if this was said, but you have to cycle your tank before adding sw fish! well you can cycle with damsels, but they may die, Throw in a some shrimp from the deli and/or some live rock. I just answered on a good fish to add.
oh you'll need salt....and it would be better if you didn't use tap water. Don't rush! Take things slow, let the tank cycle, (if you need to know how to cycle and how long and stuff, either read past topics or ask)
[hr]
55gl long. 2 clownfish - True percula (tank raised) (Name= Angel, Little Bit),
10+ Bluelegs, 7 Peppermint Shrimp, 8 Turbo Snails, Brittle Starfish, Serpent Starfish, 1 unknown crab that came in lr awhile ago-comes out if we give him shrimp. The tank is about a yr. old.
About 20-25lbs of LR. Undergravel filter with powerhead-only b/c we don't feel like taking it out, and Bio wheels.
[hr]
Posts: 142 | From: Louisiana | Registered: Jan 2002 | IP: Logged
Kris Walker
Queen Angel
Member # 3892
posted February 15, 2002 12:59 PM
[hr]
Great point, this is perhaps the BIGGEST mistake we all make. Patience is *absolutely required* for success in this hobby.
Good luck, and when you get ansy to buy a fish, and you know you should wait, go buy a book instead and share what you learn with us!
kris
[hr]
Life is one big reef.
[hr]
Posts: 879 | From: Palo Alto, CA | Registered: Oct 2001 | IP: Logged
krux
Damsel
Member # 4960
posted February 15, 2002 01:00 PM
[hr]
I also read The New Marine Aquarium, and I agree, after reading a dozen or so books in the last few weeks, I think it is one of the most basic, as well as thorough of the beginner books (if that makes sense). There are some other beginner books, but most of them deal with freshwater, and just have small sidebars or a couple chapters on marine environments.
I would recommend that if you are going to have to go out and buy filtration equipment, lights, and all the other things, that you might want to add to that list a larger tank. 10 gallons is just too small I think for a first sw tank. You will have wild swings in salinity, temperature, and checmicals, unless you are a chemist and used to doing things like this already. I got a 29 gallon tank from my local mall type mega pet store for 45 dollars, and used the old 10g tank that I was going to use originally as my quarantine tank instead.
Also, I think you will probably want a variety of fish in your tank, and you will probably only be able to get 1 or 2 to live comfortably in a 10 gallon tank unless you choose something really really small. Just spending 50 bucks will really give you a lot more options. Its also probably better to get the tank now and the other equipment to fit it, than get equipment for a 10 gallon tank and then realize in 6 months that you want something bigger and have to rebuy everything.
Also SWF has some package deals that you can take advantage of that are designed to start at about 30 gallons in size. If you do not live in a big city, and are looking for things to eat your algae for example, SWF has a deal that will fill your tank with cleaning goodness for like 89 dollars including all shipping and everything, delivered right to your front door. At all of my LFS all of the inverts are twice what they cost here, and they don't come with any assurance that they will live through their first night. They do not have such package deals for tanks only 10 gallons in size as far as I have seen so far, so thats one more reason to upgrade tank size.
Read and understand The New Aquarium, available all over the place (ISBN 1-890087-52-1) and it will answer a LOT of your first questions.
Good luck!
[hr]
Posts: 14 | Registered: Jan 2002 | IP: Logged
Sinner's Girl
Heniouchus
Member # 4773
posted February 15, 2002 01:06 PM
[hr]
good point, upgrade tank size now, or you will anyway in a few months. how many of us say "if i only had a bigger tank or I want a bigger tank" with bigger you can do more. and it is easier.
[hr]
55gl long. 2 clownfish - True percula (tank raised) (Name= Angel, Little Bit),
10+ Bluelegs, 7 Peppermint Shrimp, 8 Turbo Snails, Brittle Starfish, Serpent Starfish, 1 unknown crab that came in lr awhile ago-comes out if we give him shrimp. The tank is about a yr. old.
About 20-25lbs of LR. Undergravel filter with powerhead-only b/c we don't feel like taking it out, and Bio wheels.
[hr]
Posts: 142 | From: Louisiana | Registered: Jan 2002 | IP: Logged
Fishey
Damsel
Member # 5294
posted February 15, 2002 01:07 PM
[hr]
heh your right i should ask my mom to bring me to the fish store when she comes back from work
[hr]
Posts: 12 | From: Newyork | Registered: Feb 2002 | IP: Logged
Kris Walker
Queen Angel
Member # 3892
posted February 15, 2002 01:12 PM
[hr]
Also, remember it can get really expensive. Another reason to take it slow.
kris
[hr]
Life is one big reef.
[hr]
Posts: 879 | From: Palo Alto, CA | Registered: Oct 2001 | IP: Logged
Fishey
Damsel
Member # 5294
posted February 15, 2002 01:27 PM
[hr]
Lalala trying to keep this post first
[hr]
Posts: 12 | From: Newyork | Registered: Feb 2002 | IP: Logged
from other thing
krux
Member
I just finished setting up a new tank a couple months ago, so it is pretty fresh in my mind what you need to do. If you want more information read the books suggested in your other thread. If you want get your mom in here and have her read this with you, because some of this might be difficult to explain to her (like why you need to spend more money) without her seeing some of the reasons.
Well you are going to want some kind of stuff in your tank for your fish to hide/sleep in. You have a lot of options... Live rock, regular "dead rock", those little ceramic cave things, fake rocks and coral, etc. Most people will currently tell you that if you can afford it, go for Live Rock if you can. Live rock seems expensive in the beginning, it ranges from 4 to 8 dollars a pound depending on what you get and where you live. It has a couple nice features however that make it worth spending some money on it.
First it looks nice. There is usually some nice coloration to it, and it will have some "stuff" growing on it that will give it a more lifelike look that dead white coral or other types of rock.
Secondly and more importantly, live rock contains all sorts of bacteria that will help your system take care of chemicals that are harmful to your fish. Live rock will work together with your filter to make the water safer and more stable for your fish. This is where it really pays for its self. If your fish do not have good water they will keep dying, and that is not only cruel for your fish, but will get expensive. Ever time a fish dies it will cost between 3 and 25 dollars for most beginning fish. If you invest in some live rock to help your iltration, and can save 4 or 5 fish that you would otherwise replace, the live rock will pay for its self.
Most places that I have read want around a pound of rock per gallon of water, but if you are setting up your 20 gallon tank on a budget obviously this will be expensive, 100 dollars or more! Most people will agree that some is better than none, so I would head down to your lfs and pick out a few smaller pieces of rock that look nice and are good shapes that you can put them together to make hiding places for your fish. Rock might not look heavy, but even a small piece can easily weigh a couple pounds, so go in with the ammount you can spend and have the lfs person help you pick out some pieces. I wanted to get a nice 5 pound rock and ended up walking out with a 15 pound boulder, much more expensive that i was planning. Talk to your mom and stick you your budget.
Once you have your live rock, if you can afford to use it, or other rock type substance (make sure it is safe for saltwater, ask here before you buy if you are unsure) place it in the bottom of the tank, right on the glass, and then add the sand around it. If you ever get fish that dig in the sand, and the rocks are on top of the sand, they might shift and squish your animals, or hit the sides of the tank and damage it.
Once you have the tank, the rocks in the tank, and the sand around the rocks, add your filtration unit and heater (remember to buy a heater so your fish dont die from being too cold) and add the water. Once the tank is full of water you can add your salt (unless you mixed it up first in another big container). I don't know the weight of salt to water ratio, but if you get a bag for 50 galons of water, and have a 20 gallon tank, add a bit less than 2/5 of the bag. Turn on your filter and let it get pumped/move around to mix.
About 3 hours later use a Hydrometer to check the salinity (the ammount of salt in the water). This is another thing you will have to buy, the lfs might try to sell you a glass one that is also a thermometer for only 3 or 4 dollars but they can be hard to read. SeaTest makes a plastic one with a little arm, that you fill with water and they are usually very accurate and are much easier to read. They cost between 10 and 15 dollars, depending on prices in your area. You want it to be around 1.022 or so (others might recommend higher or lower).
Once it has all mixed you can add a litle more salt (since you didnt use quite 20 gallons worth in your first mix) the next day until you have a good salt level. Set your heater to about 75 to 77 degrees and plug it in so your water will start coming to the right temperature.
Once this is done post again and we can help you from there.
Well you are going to want some kind of stuff in your tank for your fish to hide/sleep in. You have a lot of options... Live rock, regular "dead rock", those little ceramic cave things, fake rocks and coral, etc. Most people will currently tell you that if you can afford it, go for Live Rock if you can. Live rock seems expensive in the beginning, it ranges from 4 to 8 dollars a pound depending on what you get and where you live. It has a couple nice features however that make it worth spending some money on it.
First it looks nice. There is usually some nice coloration to it, and it will have some "stuff" growing on it that will give it a more lifelike look that dead white coral or other types of rock.
Secondly and more importantly, live rock contains all sorts of bacteria that will help your system take care of chemicals that are harmful to your fish. Live rock will work together with your filter to make the water safer and more stable for your fish. This is where it really pays for its self. If your fish do not have good water they will keep dying, and that is not only cruel for your fish, but will get expensive. Ever time a fish dies it will cost between 3 and 25 dollars for most beginning fish. If you invest in some live rock to help your iltration, and can save 4 or 5 fish that you would otherwise replace, the live rock will pay for its self.
Most places that I have read want around a pound of rock per gallon of water, but if you are setting up your 20 gallon tank on a budget obviously this will be expensive, 100 dollars or more! Most people will agree that some is better than none, so I would head down to your lfs and pick out a few smaller pieces of rock that look nice and are good shapes that you can put them together to make hiding places for your fish. Rock might not look heavy, but even a small piece can easily weigh a couple pounds, so go in with the ammount you can spend and have the lfs person help you pick out some pieces. I wanted to get a nice 5 pound rock and ended up walking out with a 15 pound boulder, much more expensive that i was planning. Talk to your mom and stick you your budget.
Once you have your live rock, if you can afford to use it, or other rock type substance (make sure it is safe for saltwater, ask here before you buy if you are unsure) place it in the bottom of the tank, right on the glass, and then add the sand around it. If you ever get fish that dig in the sand, and the rocks are on top of the sand, they might shift and squish your animals, or hit the sides of the tank and damage it.
Once you have the tank, the rocks in the tank, and the sand around the rocks, add your filtration unit and heater (remember to buy a heater so your fish dont die from being too cold) and add the water. Once the tank is full of water you can add your salt (unless you mixed it up first in another big container). I don't know the weight of salt to water ratio, but if you get a bag for 50 galons of water, and have a 20 gallon tank, add a bit less than 2/5 of the bag. Turn on your filter and let it get pumped/move around to mix.
About 3 hours later use a Hydrometer to check the salinity (the ammount of salt in the water). This is another thing you will have to buy, the lfs might try to sell you a glass one that is also a thermometer for only 3 or 4 dollars but they can be hard to read. SeaTest makes a plastic one with a little arm, that you fill with water and they are usually very accurate and are much easier to read. They cost between 10 and 15 dollars, depending on prices in your area. You want it to be around 1.022 or so (others might recommend higher or lower).
Once it has all mixed you can add a litle more salt (since you didnt use quite 20 gallons worth in your first mix) the next day until you have a good salt level. Set your heater to about 75 to 77 degrees and plug it in so your water will start coming to the right temperature.
Once this is done post again and we can help you from there.
krux
Member
Fishey, your post above my last one has more information that i think the suggestion was asking for. they wanted you to paste you tank information from the other thread not the whole thread its self! use the edit command and delete most of that, and just leave your information. I am afraid some people will not want to scroll all the way through that and will just leave the thread without responding to your post because it is so long (this coming from a guy who writes a book every time hehe).
S
sinner's girl
Guest
As I was just about to say... i didn't mean copy the whole thread. lol, sorry.
And good luck with your tank. Once more take your time!
And good luck with your tank. Once more take your time!
aj77
Member
You sound very enthusiastic (youthful)! Before continuing with your SW adventure, please read every applicable thread on this board. It may take a few days, but it will slow you down some, and give you more that enough to think about.
The worst thing you could do is RUSH into this with limited knowledge. Take the members'a advice to heart, read and read some more, and apply what you can to your own situation.
Then proceed SLOWLY! This will avoid disaster and loss of life.
AJ
The worst thing you could do is RUSH into this with limited knowledge. Take the members'a advice to heart, read and read some more, and apply what you can to your own situation.
Then proceed SLOWLY! This will avoid disaster and loss of life.
AJ
krux
Member
Good point Raven. I made a base of dead rock and placed Live rock on top of it to give me more material to build caves and what not with. Dead rock for me was like 80 cents a pound so I was able to get some nice flat peices to jut up at angles out of the sand, then places live rock around it and on top of it.
Yes Fishy, read the boards. Its easy to read new posts here for a couple hours a day since the community is so active. That's a good sign if you ask me! Also read in the equipment, reef, and other sections.
There is always good information in those places as well. You might read about something in the reef section that will tip you off to read something about a new filter or some such in the equipment section that will answer a question you might have had about a fish!
Yes Fishy, read the boards. Its easy to read new posts here for a couple hours a day since the community is so active. That's a good sign if you ask me! Also read in the equipment, reef, and other sections.
There is always good information in those places as well. You might read about something in the reef section that will tip you off to read something about a new filter or some such in the equipment section that will answer a question you might have had about a fish!