Tanuki's First Saltwater Tank (Lots of learning to be done)
- Thread starter tanuki
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flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tanuki http:///forum/thread/386132/tanuki-s-first-saltwater-tank-lots-of-learning-to-be-done/80#post_3391958
How long does it take a peppermint shrimp to finish one of these off? Is this like a day's worth of food?
Well theres the rub...I have been told they only eat the small ones. I had to zap the three big ones with aptasia X and some Joes juice and then I put 5 peps in the tank. I haven't seen a single aptasia since....well until I saw the three huge ones in my sump last night.
I think they might eat the large ones but it takes them time. The aptasia spreads so fast, so you want to get a good start on them first if you can. I would zap one and the next morning find three more and one was in under a rock that I couldn't reach...it was a good size (about a nickle) and the peps ate it in a few days. I might just put a peppermint in the sump....
If you get peppermint shrimp....keep in mind, if you feed the shrimp they won't go looking for food. So just feed your fish as usual and let the shrimp do their work.
Originally Posted by Tanuki http:///forum/thread/386132/tanuki-s-first-saltwater-tank-lots-of-learning-to-be-done/80#post_3391958
How long does it take a peppermint shrimp to finish one of these off? Is this like a day's worth of food?
Well theres the rub...I have been told they only eat the small ones. I had to zap the three big ones with aptasia X and some Joes juice and then I put 5 peps in the tank. I haven't seen a single aptasia since....well until I saw the three huge ones in my sump last night.
I think they might eat the large ones but it takes them time. The aptasia spreads so fast, so you want to get a good start on them first if you can. I would zap one and the next morning find three more and one was in under a rock that I couldn't reach...it was a good size (about a nickle) and the peps ate it in a few days. I might just put a peppermint in the sump....
If you get peppermint shrimp....keep in mind, if you feed the shrimp they won't go looking for food. So just feed your fish as usual and let the shrimp do their work.
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tanuki http:///forum/thread/386132/tanuki-s-first-saltwater-tank-lots-of-learning-to-be-done/80#post_3391962
This one is like the size of a pen cap in diameter. Still small I would think. I am going to start with a peppermint shrimp though because my wife has wanted one. Any other crabs or shrimp do that kind of work?
Not that I know of that is reef safe..be sure you get a peppermint (and get a few not just one), the camel (hump back) looks very simular. Look on the SWF store to see the difference, or google them.
Originally Posted by Tanuki http:///forum/thread/386132/tanuki-s-first-saltwater-tank-lots-of-learning-to-be-done/80#post_3391962
This one is like the size of a pen cap in diameter. Still small I would think. I am going to start with a peppermint shrimp though because my wife has wanted one. Any other crabs or shrimp do that kind of work?
Not that I know of that is reef safe..be sure you get a peppermint (and get a few not just one), the camel (hump back) looks very simular. Look on the SWF store to see the difference, or google them.
tangs rule
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tanuki http:///forum/thread/386132/tanuki-s-first-saltwater-tank-lots-of-learning-to-be-done/80#post_3392447
Today's Tank Data:
PH- 8.0
Ammonia- 0
Nitrite- 0
Nitrate- 20
Salinity- 1.022
So my Ammonia and Nitrite both went up then back to 0. It looks like Nitrate is on its way down as well. Good?
Temp?
Sounds pretty good - Well done
- but remember ammonia (NH3) becomes nitrite (NO2) and then becomes nitrate (NO3). Spikes in ammonia and nitrite are to be expected during the 1st cycle. Finally, rises in nitrate occur while the other values go down. Nitrate usually does not go down unless it's removed from the system by some means, as it does not go away or get converted into anything unless you have something involved in notes 1-3 below.... It's the nitrate that is kinda hard to get rid of, and the most common ways of removing it are:
1. water changes (which must be done anyway on regular basis to refresh other elements)
2. converting the nitrate through new & ongoing macro algae growth into free nitrogen (released into atmosphere) using a refugium or turf scrubber.
3. nitrate reactor unit with media.
Typically, these are the only ways NO3 will be removed from a system, and seeing that your numbers indicate a completion of the 1st cycle, it may be time to add things, slowly.....slowly..... remember what biological breakdown elements you've created so far is only the first step of a never ending cycle, and each waste producing creature you add from now on, increases the "bio load" on your system.
And with each addition, some time (week or 2 for fish) should be allowed for so the system does not get overloaded, and the "bad" things like NH3 & NO2 stay at very low levels, while nitrates increase at a faster rate. CUC items don't really count as bio-load, but it's the fish I bet your ready to start adding, and that's the tricky part - as fish need to be added slowly over weeks or months to allow the tank to "grow" with their added waste.
And don't forget about quarantine / isolation issues for new fish! (or inverts/cuc) - worst thing you wanna do is buy a fish with ich or velvet and introduce that parasite into your nice new virgin DT system at this point - and have to wait till September or later for it to be parasite free again. You've a nice new setup - likely free at this point of the horrors of fish parasitic issues, and the last thing you ever wanna do is dump some nightmare issue from someone elses system into yours.
From this point on, you should think of your system as "virgin" and adding ANYTHING (fish/coral/cuc/live foods) from another system - ANYOTHER SYSTEM(LFS/online retailer/stranger) should never be done without some sort of isolation/qtine measures. There are so many terrible threads on fish loss due to velvet, ich, worms, and nasty system pests like aiptasia or majono that most that stay in this hobby, do so with proceedures in place to prevent such nightmares - or they learn after the nightmare happens
Looks good so far though - keep posting, am following along
Originally Posted by Tanuki http:///forum/thread/386132/tanuki-s-first-saltwater-tank-lots-of-learning-to-be-done/80#post_3392447
Today's Tank Data:
PH- 8.0
Ammonia- 0
Nitrite- 0
Nitrate- 20
Salinity- 1.022
So my Ammonia and Nitrite both went up then back to 0. It looks like Nitrate is on its way down as well. Good?
Temp?
Sounds pretty good - Well done
1. water changes (which must be done anyway on regular basis to refresh other elements)
2. converting the nitrate through new & ongoing macro algae growth into free nitrogen (released into atmosphere) using a refugium or turf scrubber.
3. nitrate reactor unit with media.
Typically, these are the only ways NO3 will be removed from a system, and seeing that your numbers indicate a completion of the 1st cycle, it may be time to add things, slowly.....slowly..... remember what biological breakdown elements you've created so far is only the first step of a never ending cycle, and each waste producing creature you add from now on, increases the "bio load" on your system.
And with each addition, some time (week or 2 for fish) should be allowed for so the system does not get overloaded, and the "bad" things like NH3 & NO2 stay at very low levels, while nitrates increase at a faster rate. CUC items don't really count as bio-load, but it's the fish I bet your ready to start adding, and that's the tricky part - as fish need to be added slowly over weeks or months to allow the tank to "grow" with their added waste.
And don't forget about quarantine / isolation issues for new fish! (or inverts/cuc) - worst thing you wanna do is buy a fish with ich or velvet and introduce that parasite into your nice new virgin DT system at this point - and have to wait till September or later for it to be parasite free again. You've a nice new setup - likely free at this point of the horrors of fish parasitic issues, and the last thing you ever wanna do is dump some nightmare issue from someone elses system into yours.
From this point on, you should think of your system as "virgin" and adding ANYTHING (fish/coral/cuc/live foods) from another system - ANYOTHER SYSTEM(LFS/online retailer/stranger) should never be done without some sort of isolation/qtine measures. There are so many terrible threads on fish loss due to velvet, ich, worms, and nasty system pests like aiptasia or majono that most that stay in this hobby, do so with proceedures in place to prevent such nightmares - or they learn after the nightmare happens
Looks good so far though - keep posting, am following along
tanuki
Member
Ok, after the flood I decided to break it all down and get the water out of the floor. I think the way it is now, it will stay for a long time. I'm not 100% sure on my sea scaping, but i didn't want it to just look like a geometric figure sitting in the middle of the tank. I wanted it to look a bit more natural, so you will have to let me know what you think.
Also can anyone tell me what this thing is living on the front of the rock in this video? I am thinking maybe this is the same thing that squirted me with water when I pulled the rock out for the move?
I was able to get a video of his little geyser show. It just did this about 5 times in a row:
Also can anyone tell me what this thing is living on the front of the rock in this video? I am thinking maybe this is the same thing that squirted me with water when I pulled the rock out for the move?
I was able to get a video of his little geyser show. It just did this about 5 times in a row:
tanuki
Member
Oh I have introduced some inverts already. I got peppermint shrimp to help with the aiptasia since I seem to have that outbreak (killed three yesterday), and some hermits.
I don't want to lose any fish (or hermit crabs for that matter), so I will let the hermits and shrimp do their thing for a while. I am a little nervous about all the macro algae and bubble algae, but time will tell.
Any idea on the thing in the video above?
I don't want to lose any fish (or hermit crabs for that matter), so I will let the hermits and shrimp do their thing for a while. I am a little nervous about all the macro algae and bubble algae, but time will tell.
Any idea on the thing in the video above?
tangs rule
Active Member
Whoops - I should have clarified my eariler statment
I forgot some of your Live rock came in very fresh, with all sorts of good & bad things on it. my bad. The peppermint shrimps will help with the aiptasia some, BUT somtimes aiptasia can grow larger than the peps can handle, and at this stage the aiptasia really can multiply. Since your LR is pretty fresh - I'd not add any fish to the DT for a month at least (though now is a great time to set up a Qtine tank for a couple small dudes (clowns/blenny/firefish/etc.) so when the DT is ready, the fish are too - and any problems the new fish come in with, will not be introduced into your DT)
As far as the video - the Squirting could be a little mantis shrimp, cleaning out his home, (mantis need their own tanks) and can be quite voilent critters, able to cut some small fish in 1/2 with their splays.
Shine a bright light straight down the "squirt" hole with the tank "off" so the surface is calm.........If you see a little set of eyes staring back at you, lemme know - I have the perfect 75g tank for a mantis, and am ready to get one, i'll buy it off ya.
As far as the video - the Squirting could be a little mantis shrimp, cleaning out his home, (mantis need their own tanks) and can be quite voilent critters, able to cut some small fish in 1/2 with their splays.
Shine a bright light straight down the "squirt" hole with the tank "off" so the surface is calm.........If you see a little set of eyes staring back at you, lemme know - I have the perfect 75g tank for a mantis, and am ready to get one, i'll buy it off ya.
tangs rule
Active Member
Look for a couple of googley eyes - the've the best vision known in the universe. Yours would be just a baby, though they can grow to 6"
tangs rule
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tanuki http:///forum/thread/386132/tanuki-s-first-saltwater-tank-lots-of-learning-to-be-done/80#post_3392466
Ha deal. I know one of those fresh live rocks squirted me when I was moving the tank. Any chance it's this thing?
I dunno what for sure is in the Live Rock you have in the video - I've watched it several times and somthing is doing some "house cleaning" fir sure! - it might even be some type of small fish, cleaning out his burrow, but I'd have to guess it's an invert of some type...........but with really fresh live rock - all bets are off. It could be a blessing or a curse........welcome to saltwater! freshwater tanks got nuthin on the critters we get to deal with! ! !
Originally Posted by Tanuki http:///forum/thread/386132/tanuki-s-first-saltwater-tank-lots-of-learning-to-be-done/80#post_3392466
Ha deal. I know one of those fresh live rocks squirted me when I was moving the tank. Any chance it's this thing?
I dunno what for sure is in the Live Rock you have in the video - I've watched it several times and somthing is doing some "house cleaning" fir sure! - it might even be some type of small fish, cleaning out his burrow, but I'd have to guess it's an invert of some type...........but with really fresh live rock - all bets are off. It could be a blessing or a curse........welcome to saltwater! freshwater tanks got nuthin on the critters we get to deal with! ! !
tangs rule
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tanuki http:///forum/thread/386132/tanuki-s-first-saltwater-tank-lots-of-learning-to-be-done/80#post_3392468
Yeah I have read a lot about them. I wonder what area this rock is from and if there's a chance it really is one?! Still wouldn't explain the squirt gun attack right?
NO - it could be a small fish of some type OR some invert, buried inside the rock...mantis and other things can kick up quite a squirt tossing things out.....If your lucky, it's not a filter feeder and soon, oneday, maybe at night, it will have to come out and FEED...and that's kinda how u gotta hope to catch whatever it is, assuming it's not a filter feeder.
Originally Posted by Tanuki http:///forum/thread/386132/tanuki-s-first-saltwater-tank-lots-of-learning-to-be-done/80#post_3392468
Yeah I have read a lot about them. I wonder what area this rock is from and if there's a chance it really is one?! Still wouldn't explain the squirt gun attack right?
NO - it could be a small fish of some type OR some invert, buried inside the rock...mantis and other things can kick up quite a squirt tossing things out.....If your lucky, it's not a filter feeder and soon, oneday, maybe at night, it will have to come out and FEED...and that's kinda how u gotta hope to catch whatever it is, assuming it's not a filter feeder.
tangs rule
Active Member
Describe tiny - - - - 1/2 inch, 1/4 inch - less///more.......how big (diameter) is the "hole" in the rock where it is?? 1/2 more / less? remember whatever it is, the "chamber" down inside the rock could be the size of a ping pong OR tennis ball........how big is the rock it's in??
If it were a mantis or fish, I'd put some kind of food (raw shrimp/clam/fish/frozen mix) on a toothpick and wedge the toothpick with the food stuck to it like 1 inch from the "glory hole" and sit there with minimal lights on and watch to see if anything comes out to get it.
Bait your line and "go fishin" to see what comes out!!!!!
If it were a mantis or fish, I'd put some kind of food (raw shrimp/clam/fish/frozen mix) on a toothpick and wedge the toothpick with the food stuck to it like 1 inch from the "glory hole" and sit there with minimal lights on and watch to see if anything comes out to get it.
Bait your line and "go fishin" to see what comes out!!!!!