Zane's Aquarium Project (ZAP) - Phase 1: Kickoff & Procurement Planning

drewsta

drewsta

Active Member
the brown algae is diatoms and all new tanks get it. It will go away by iteself and when your tank is ready the crabs and snails will help as well (I would still wait on them). Also since you had that cryptic thing in there I would have your water tested for copper just to be safe. Other than that tanks lookin good
 
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zaneperry

Guest
How do you test for copper?
Also, what is the alternative to tapwater? You don't expect me to go out and buy gallons of deer park do you?
 
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zaneperry

Guest
Anyone have any opinion on this previous post?
Originally Posted by ZanePerry
What is the difference between the "Amiracle Mini Quad Venturi Protein Skimmer" and the "Coralife Super Skimmer 65".
The Coralife Super Skimmer has the following,
Dual Application System: Hang-on Tank Mount or Sump Hook-up
Easy-twist Collection Cup
Water-level Adjustment Dial
Bubble-production Diffuser
High-grade Acrylic Construction with Custom Components
Patented Needle-wheel System with Aspirating Venturi
Includes Needle-Wheel Water Pump with Air Inlet Silencer.
The Amiricle mini quad venturi protine skimmer had the following "The Amiracle Mini Quad Venturi Skimmer allows you to benefit from true venturi action using a number of readily available submersible pumps. Aquarium water is injected with air as it passes through the venturi valve creating the reaction where protein and other dissolved organics are removed while oxygenating you aquarium water. Its quad design creates more usable contact time and therefore the skimming effectiveness of a protein skimmer many times its size. Hang-on model designed to hang on the back of your aquarium - no fancy plumbing required. Model 'P' includes pump and all accessories needed to get started. "
If you recommend the Amiricle skimmer I would need the one with the pump right?
 
petjunkie

petjunkie

Active Member
I don't have any experience with those two skimmers but a lot of people on this forum use the coralife super skimmer with good results, I haven't even heard of the other kind. I would really take anything your local fish store tells you with a grain of salt, don't buy anything because they say you need it until you have looked for yourself. Just search any products on this forum first. You won't find too many people on this forum running an Emperor filter and nothing else, powerheads are important because saltwater doesn't hold oxygen well and you need a lot of water turnover so your fish can breathe. Also the no posting links applies to other forum, places that would be considered competition to Saltwaterfish.com, I think your website is fine, just not places you're buying stuff from.
 
darknes

darknes

Active Member
I don't know if testing for copper would really be necessary. If you want to, though, there are copper test kits you can buy on the internet.
As for the water, there are several options. You can buy a reverse-osmosis unit that you can run at your house, or do what some people do and buy gallon jugs of distilled or r/o water from Walmart or your grocery store. At the very least, you can buy the American Pharmaceuticals Tap Water Filter....I've used that for a while, and it seems to work really well, although the cartridges have to be replaced every so often, and in the long run, an r/o unit would be cheaper.
As for the skimmer, I've heard nothing but great reviews for the Coralife Super Skimmer. I plan to get one myself for my 55 gallon tank soon.
 
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zaneperry

Guest
I am thinking of getting 2 powerheads, any recommendations? My LFS had a powerhead with an addon filter on it. Should I get the filter or do you think my power filters are enough?
 
petjunkie

petjunkie

Active Member
I would stick to maxi-jet powerheads, they seem to have a good reputation and you should have powerheads for extra water movement, preferably pointing to the top of the tank.
 
chesnutz99

chesnutz99

New Member
Thanks for starting this project of yours. You have asked all the questions I needed answered as a novice aquarium hobbyist. I am in my first steps of setting up a 35 gal tank starting with the decaying shrimp method and the LR and LS. You and all those who've shared their insight have really helped me out. I have bookmarked your page and look forward to seeing how your tank progresses. My tank is primarily going to be an invert showcase. snails, brittles, echinoderms, nudibranchs, feather dusters etc. Have you given any thought to where you're going to start with your additions of inverts and fish? I'm curious as to what you and others think about the best starter inverts right after the first ammonia cycle and live rock addition and growth. thanks for everyone's posts. If i run into any problems I will start my own thread in the begginers section.
 
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zaneperry

Guest
Thanks for the compliments chesnutz99. I will continue to post pictures as the tank matures. I am not really sure what I am going to start with. I think I am going to get one of the saltwaterfish.com reef packages (any feedback you may have on getting these from swf is greatly appreciated from experienced members). After that I am not sure yet. I need some more live rock but think I may wait a couple paychecks. My friends recommended I make a webpage with a camera on my tank, then let people buy angelfish and play a little, survival of the fittest ***) . I think its a funny idea but I am not sure if its legal and don't think I want to spoil my tank with DEATH. I will probably try to get a clown-fish and a simple Anemone to get started. I know I am going to take it slow, introducing items slowly to the new environment.
Glad to see people are checking the site, After the first cycle it should get more interesting. It has been 2 weeks and all the levels are reading the same though. No worries though, I think I am too impatient for this first part.
 
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zaneperry

Guest
This is an interesting view of traffic for the project. It's amazing how many people dig SWF! Maybe I should submit it to digg.com and kill my server :)
 
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zaneperry

Guest
2 questions???
1. Is it normal to have not one thing in your tank change after 2 1/2 weeks. The PH, Ammonia, Nitrate and Nitrite are at the same levels as they were from day one.
2. I just received my protein skimmer. Man is this beast a pain on the eyes. Is it really necessary to have this gigantic thing clogging the eye in my fishtank. Can you list the positive aspects of having one?
 
petjunkie

petjunkie

Active Member
I couldn't honestly tell you if your cycling normal, I didn't have half the test kits when I started! My bad! All I could test was ammonia and I just waited until that was zero for two weeks then bought a fish, cycled about three weeks first though. But I wouldn't worry, it can take over a month and if you don't have much live rock the bacteria might be growing slower.
Protein skimmers take out excess waste, keep your tank sparkling, I have a Aqua C remora due to limited space and that thing is considered small, skimmer are just bulky unfortunatly.
 
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zaneperry

Guest
Its been about 4 weeks!
Last week I introduced 6 Snails, 6 Crabs and a oscillating power-head! So far the snail's and crabs seem to be doing well. They need a little help though keeping the aquarium clean so I bought one of the 30 Gallon reef package:
Products belonging to this package Quantity
Scarlet Hermit Crab: 20
Blueleg Hermit Crab: 20
Nasssarius Snail: 10
Emerald Crab: 5
Coral Banded Shrimp: 1
Sally Lightfoot Crab: 1
Turbo/Astrea Snail: 20
I took a reading on everything and the tank seems to be self sustaining soI also decided to go ahead and buy two clownfish (one Percula and one Clarkii). It says they eat Pellet, Flakes. Any recommendations on brand's (and which type preferred)? Any stories or recommendations on feeding times or bad experiences distributing food are greatly appreciated!
 
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zaneperry

Guest
Not getting the same response I use to get from you guys! Come on Guys!

My Fiance just bought a Yellow Tang since we went to the fishstore to get a net for the Clown-fish and she saw one and had to have it. Unfortunately on top of all the other dangers of doing this too early I noticed that my water temperature is lurking near 82F. HOW CAN I COOL IT?
I have read articles about surface fans but haven't found any online. I am NOT buying a chiller for a 55 gallon tank.
AS ALWAYS YOUR FEEDBACK IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!
 
darknes

darknes

Active Member
Hey! Good to see you finished your cycle.
Now you are to the fun part.
One suggestion: You cannot mix clownfish if I remember right. They're going to fight. Plus, a mated pair of percs or clarkii's are much more interesting to watch. I would recommend you take one of the two back, and get another so that you have a pair.
As for the tang, it might have been too soon for him. Also, many think that a 55 is too small for a yellow tang, but I feel indifferent towards that. Did you ever get that protein skimmer? I ended up buying the Coralife skimmer, and love it!
 
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zaneperry

Guest
I just ordered a feather duster and a Pink Tip Haitian Anemone. I was wondering if there is any method to putting them in the tank after the acclimation period. Do you just put them in and let them find the rock or do you put them on a rock.
 
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