WorrBaller's 5.5 gal Nano

worrballer

worrballer

Member
Hey all I've taken the plunge and started a thread (well again) for my nano tank.
I've got the coralife 8" dual compact for lighting
The Cascade 100 for filtration (I'm thinking about taking the media out and putting LS and live rubble with chaeto back there but I'm waiting to find the right light for that).
About 7 lbs. (I think) of LR and 6 lbs. of live sand from my lfs.
My levels are great and I've seen little creatures swimming and crawling around so I'm ready for the bigger funner (more fun?) stuff.
I know I want to get 2 cerith and 2 nassarius and one astrea snails, and 3 sexy shrimp and a pom pom crab.
What I don't know about is the fish. I know I can't get too many but I'm looking for options. I don't want to do the goby pistol combo I'm looking for one or two good "show" fish. Something pretty with personality. I'll get pictures up soon.
Thanks for looking
WorrBaller
 
worrballer

worrballer

Member
That the first time i've heard to not put live rubble in the back. Why is that?
Also what kind of order should there be to putting in the critters? Should I put in my corals first then get the sexys and pom pom? And which one should I put in first?
I've heard it matters for some but I haven't heard anything about these guys.
 
worrballer

worrballer

Member

There she is. I've added a stand I made for the light to raise it off the glass to get more coverage and so it won't boil my tank lol. Plus I think the rock is different. I'll get updated pics when I get better stuff in there.
 
worrballer

worrballer

Member
Lol they were from my friends tank to help cycle and add beneficial bac, they're out now. Dunno if it worked or not but my tank is doing great so far. I did have some bad brown algea but with the light stand, and I'm guessing the little guys in the tank, its gone now.
So to make the Cascade into a mini fuge I just need LS and chaeto? Should I use carbon or the bio balls or anything else?
 
paintballer768

paintballer768

Active Member
Cycling is supposed to form beneficial bacteria in your tank so you can handle waste from fish and all that. Using bacteria from someone elses tank and then removing it really defeats the purpose of cycling in the first place.
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
Originally Posted by paintballer768
http:///forum/post/2826763
Cycling is supposed to form beneficial bacteria in your tank so you can handle waste from fish and all that. Using bacteria from someone elses tank and then removing it really defeats the purpose of cycling in the first place.
Umm...I am not sure I totally agree with this. In a QT it is recommended you take a sponge or filter pad from your display tank to help the QT cycle. I think the introduction of bacteria, whether it comes from live rock, filter pads or sponges, or in this case bio balls would serve the purpose of introducing a bacteria "culture" to the tank to aid in growth of the bio filtering capability.
Unless I understand wrong. Maybe someone else could clarify this too?
 
freeborder_01

freeborder_01

Member
i agree with spanko but the bacteria will quickly die if it has nothing to feed on. So you will need an ammonia spike for that bacteria to continue to live
 
worrballer

worrballer

Member
Well in either case the tank is doing great, no nitrates or trites great Ph and no ammonia.
Just got back from my lfs (well two of them the first was terrible customer service); picked up two cerith and two nassarius snails. Finally something moving around besides the bristle worm lol
.
So now I have my sights on the sexy shrimp. I'm pretty sure I want to do three. Would it be better to get some mushroom (I heard sexys like these) or other coral first then the shrimp?
Or just get the shrimp then coral later?
 
freeborder_01

freeborder_01

Member
ugh im jealous. I still need to find 2 cerith snails. When i asked my lfs they looked at me like i was speaking Japanese.
I have 1 sexy shrimp right now and plan to pick up 2 more for a total as three like you. Sexy shrimp do like to have something like a mushroom or ric to have but they dont NEED one. I have nothing right now and my shrimp is doing fine but im getting some frags this weekend so he will get something soon
 
worrballer

worrballer

Member
Huh I thought cerith was common. Well now I'm worried cause when i put the bag in the tank they kinda stopped moving and went to hide in their shells. After acclimating and putting them in they haven't moved.
I hope they're just shy; we'll see in the morning (crosses fingers).
 
worrballer

worrballer

Member
Just read on this site that cerith snails usually don't move for a few days. Thats good to hear.
Would a six line be a terrible idea or would it work for a while?
 
happitylogan

happitylogan

Member
six line wouldnt be the best idea. He would probably slowly starve. Maybe for a month, but then I'd take it out.
Get a Flaming Prawn Goby, they are a bit pricey, but they are very rare, and really gorgeous. jmo
good idea on the bioballs, i bet it help speed up your cycle, keep up the good work :D
 
freeborder_01

freeborder_01

Member
Originally Posted by WorrBaller
http:///forum/post/2827782
Huh I thought cerith was common. Well now I'm worried cause when i put the bag in the tank they kinda stopped moving and went to hide in their shells. After acclimating and putting them in they haven't moved.
I hope they're just shy; we'll see in the morning (crosses fingers).
no cerith snails are very common, my lfs is just crappy lol, but i need to be nice to them because they have a big Armor of God colony in their display tank and i dont think they know what those are so ive been trying to get them to frag me a new free polyps
 
whisk

whisk

Active Member
Originally Posted by happityLogan
http:///forum/post/2828172
six line wouldnt be the best idea. He would probably slowly starve. Maybe for a month, but then I'd take it out.
Get a Flaming Prawn Goby, they are a bit pricey, but they are very rare, and really gorgeous. jmo
good idea on the bioballs, i bet it help speed up your cycle, keep up the good work :D
curious to know why the six line wouldnt work? is the 5.5g tank just too small for them?
 
worrballer

worrballer

Member
Originally Posted by Whisk
http:///forum/post/2828293
curious to know why the six line wouldnt work? is the 5.5g tank just too small for them?
I think cause they mostly eat pods and pick off the rocks. There isn't enough rock so not enough food.
I saw a randall's pistol shrimp at my lfs and fell in love with that guy. So now I'm going to give in to the goby/shrimp combo. I think the hi fin red banded goby will go well with that guy.
 
worrballer

worrballer

Member
A few of the star polyps peeked out early this morning but now its all closed up again. I know its too early to be worried but I'm just thinking is there anything I can do for it? Like feed it or add some sort of coral happy juice?
Oh and I was also wondering what should the temperature range be? Mine go from 76 to 78 or 79 by lights out. Is that too cold?
 
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