33g first tank

saltynuts · #1 12-23-2009, 10:43 PM

yes shorten the hose.

Myka · #2 12-23-2009, 11:07 PM

Heya! You've got a great start on your tank! Your live rock has really nice shapes. Where did you get it? Good to see another Skatchie on the forums!!!

You may want to consider progressing slower, as I foresee some possible deaths in the near future from pushing on too quickly. It would have been wise to wait at least a week with 0 ammonia/nitrite before adding livestock. It would have also been wise to just add one fish at a time, especially in a tank of a smaller size. Anemones are also quite sensitive creatures, and appreciate a more established reef. Keep an eye on your critters for signs of stress as you may need to move back a step before stepping ahead again. Your anemone almost looks like a hairy mushroom in the pic though. Or a Rock Anemone of some sort (there are many different species)?

How's the temperature in the tank with the big halide? Do you get fluctuations from night/day?

Reef_kid · #3 12-24-2009, 12:07 AM

for nitrate use a nitrate remover
http://www.jlaquatics.com/product/sc...-+1+Litre.html

and for phosphate you can use ferric oxide

http://www.jlaquatics.com/product/rw...+-+100+mL.html

small tank build up excess of these nutrients as your tank cycles.
in larger tanks you can have sumps
most people cycling occurs much faster then it actually does..

you can add a little sack of these chemical filters to your aquaclear filter.

1337cr3w · #4 12-24-2009, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

Heya! You've got a great start on your tank! Your live rock has really nice shapes. Where did you get it? Good to see another Skatchie on the forums!!!

You may want to consider progressing slower, as I foresee some possible deaths in the near future from pushing on too quickly. It would have been wise to wait at least a week with 0 ammonia/nitrite before adding livestock. It would have also been wise to just add one fish at a time, especially in a tank of a smaller size. Anemones are also quite sensitive creatures, and appreciate a more established reef. Keep an eye on your critters for signs of stress as you may need to move back a step before stepping ahead again. Your anemone almost looks like a hairy mushroom in the pic though. Or a Rock Anemone of some sort (there are many different species)?

How's the temperature in the tank with the big halide? Do you get fluctuations from night/day?

well reef_surfer had the tank down for only a week buit the live rock live sand and everything was still in a running tank so, i hope i was safe to put them in already but ya i probably should have waited a bit longer. and with the light i have to turn down the heater when i turn it on or it will rise over a degree per hour. but i keep an eye on it checking every hour and adjusting to compensate.

I have two bags of carbon and a sponge in the filter do i replace one carbon with a bag of a mix of these?

and reef_kid thanks ill look into those.

Myka · #5 12-24-2009, 03:27 AM

A GFO (phosphate remover) might be a good idea, but I see no need for a nitrate sponge. If I were you I would remove the regular sponge in the AC unless you are replacing it weekly as it will become a "nitrate factory" all in its own accord.

In the end though, keep it simple. You will be well rewarded.

I kept a 33g LPS dominated tank quite successfully for 2 years with a very simple setup. Didn't even have a skimmer on it. You can find pics and details on here if you search for "Myka's 33g".

Reef_surfer · #6 12-24-2009, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltynuts

yes shorten the hose.

it has already been modified. i took about 2 inches off when i had it.

1337cr3w · #7 12-24-2009, 06:41 PM

the polyp has nwo shot out its green grass things and the anemone is eating all fish seem happy so far, ammonia is up a bit since i added the fish, up to .25 wondering if i should jsut let it work it self down or should i add an amonia remover of some sort? also , the lionfish will come within the next month i figure, will live in a qt for awhile, what kind of clean up crew can i use with a dwarf lion, i was thinking a sansifting starfish and a few snail, i read lions will sometimes not eat snails but usually eat all crabs.

Myka · #8 12-24-2009, 08:21 PM

Your tank is too small for a sand sifting starfish same with conchs. The sandsifting starfish are difficult to keep even in quite large aquariums. You can try larger snails like Astraea or Trochus for cleaning the rocks and glass. I think you're out of luck for a sand cleaner of any sort in a tank that small with a dwarf lion. You can always use a gravel cleaner to clean the top 1/2" of sand. Just use your thumb on the end of the siphon to pause it every once in awhile to let the sand fall back down.

For the ammonia, I woud suggest the use of Prime. If you haven't done a water change since adding the fish I would suggest you do a 25% change.

1337cr3w · #9 12-24-2009, 09:06 PM

ok, i will do a 25% water change and add prime when i do it, unfortunately theres nothing open until boxing day, think it'll be fine until then?

photo update: the damsel flew out of hiding when i turned the light on so i got some better pictures of it and everything else too

and picked up some supplies to finish off my stand,red oak boards and some slate tile.

Myka · #10 12-24-2009, 10:30 PM

Lookin good! I love slate on a stand!! Your fish are looking happier today, they were looking pretty stressed in the other photos. The ammonia will probably settle down by the time you can get Prime. It's good to have on hand anyway though. A small bottle goes a long way as it's only 1 mL for 10 gallons if I remember correctly. I'm in BC right now otherwise I'd offer you could come over and grab some Prime from me, I have GFO you could buy too (it's expensive otherwise I'd give it to you). Don't add anything live to your tank while there is ammonia, especially any inverts. The algae you have right now really isn't much of a concern. Time to let it chill for a bit.