Just set up my salt water tank whats next?

robert125381 · 04/16/2016, 03:48 PM

Hey guys new to the hobby and just set up my first tank.

I do have a few questions/ concerns I hope Reef Central can help me with.

I have a 17 gallon nano, I understand that it is a difficult size to keep for a beginner but I am very limited in space and plan to move in the next year.

I got live rock and live sand the pet store I went to suggested that I do a fish cycle so I went home set up the rock and sand and picked up two clowns the next day after the sand settled.

I was told that since my tank is so small I should not need a heater but my tank is at 71 F right now :/ so I plan on running to the store to get a heater in the next couple hours! What temp should I keep my tank at?

Also what type of equipment should I buy to test the water quality?

I know this is a very deep topic (water quality) but what are the things I should be testing for and most focused on since I have no corrals at this point.

I am starting to feel as though I was given bad advice so any input is greatly appreciated!

borderreef · 04/16/2016, 04:22 PM

Well, first, welcome. Now, I ticks me off when pet stores tell customers to use fish to cycle a tank. It's inhumame. Second, I can't believe they sold you 2 clowns to do it with. Just another example of them just selling fish. You should bring the clowns back right away. In the beginners section there is a great thread explaining how to cycle your tank. I highly recommend going through it. Great info. There is also a section dedicated to nano tanks. There is a plethora of information here. I'm glad you decided to join us.

robert125381 · 04/16/2016, 04:36 PM

The store is closed until Tuesday and I cant get dont there until Thursday due to my work schedule what can I do in the mean time?

Capt.Nemo · 04/16/2016, 04:45 PM

You could get some window paint and leave a note on front of store in BIG letters...." don't buy fish here, they are clueless!!!" That should get their attention.
Really, call them first chance and let them know you are know aware of their horrible advice. You don't appreciate them taking advantage and you want your money back. Talk to owner. If they don't own up, then resort back to previous plan.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Nina51 · 04/16/2016, 04:52 PM

is there anywhere you can get a bottle of Prime or something similar? it's an ammonia detoxifier and can be used, i believe, every 48 hours.

i agree, you were given very bad, very outdated advice. however, you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar so instead of calling them and ripping them a new body orifice, you might get better results if you just call, explain you did some reading and talking to a few reefers and it was suggested that you return the clowns to the store as you don't want to put them through the stress of a cycle and possibly cause their death.

also, good suggestion to read the "new set up" sticky. also, consider a qt to prevent disease from entering your display tank.

good luck!

robert125381 · 04/16/2016, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt.Nemo

You could get some window paint and leave a note on front of store in BIG letters...." don't buy fish here, they are clueless!!!" That should get their attention.
Really, call them first chance and let them know you are know aware of their horrible advice. You don't appreciate them taking advantage and you want your money back. Talk to owner. If they don't own up, then resort back to previous plan.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Im not concerned about getting back at the business Im concerned about the fish and their health. They seem to be doing fine what can I do until Thursday to help them out?

Will adding PRIME stop my tank from cycling properly?

Capt.Nemo · 04/16/2016, 05:06 PM

I understand, but owner should also be aware they have an employee giving bad advice. Follow the advice here and make sure your amonia and nitrites stay in check. Keep some water handy too in case some water change is needed.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Nina51 · 04/16/2016, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robert125381

Will adding PRIME stop my tank from cycling properly?

no. prime only lasts a certain amount of time. once it is no longer effective, you will have ammonia build back up and your tank will cycle.

you have 2 choices. either use prime to keep ammonia at bay or let the fish suffer through it. and suffer, they will.

gone fishin · 04/16/2016, 07:42 PM

With such a small tank I would speculate that you will get some significant ammonia soon. The way I see it you have a couple choices.

Do nothing let the tank cycle, there is a good chance that the fish will die or their lives significantly shortened.

Get yourself some prime and do some frequent water changes to keep the ammonia levels down to give the clowns a better chance. This will prolong your cycle, how long I can't say.

Good luck just my 2 cents.

Nina types faster than I do.

borderreef · 04/16/2016, 08:36 PM

I agree. Use prime and do a water change between now and Thursday. Then, return the clowns so you can do a proper cycle. Also, I hate to say this, but in my opinion your tank is too small for clowns. They become too large. When sexualy mature, even the smallest species will take over a minimum of 20g of space as their territory. When your tank is ready, I would look at some smaller, colorful fish. You can add 3 or 4 really nice species of fish.

robert125381 · 04/16/2016, 09:20 PM

How long do clowns take to fully grow?

Thank you for the all the input!

When I get the clowns returned should I cycle my tank with the light on or off?

ezerasurfr · 04/17/2016, 05:57 AM

They will take a few years to grow. Get some test strips, and an ammonia alert (make sure you get the one for salt water.) Get the prime to keep the ammonia at bay like previously said.

Personally, I would get a full test kit on top of the strips. I like the Red Sea kits myself, but everyone's opinion differs on these.

And like others suggested, check out the beginner and nano forums.

Bruce51 · 04/17/2016, 07:14 AM

lights on or off for cycle, dosnt matter

Bent · 04/17/2016, 07:25 AM

Anyone around that has a cycled tank that can surrogate them for you till your tank is cycled?

Where do you live? If your close I can house them.

Devaji108 · 04/17/2016, 01:09 PM

sorry you got bad advice form your LFS...

another option along with the prime would be to order some very live rock form TBS shipped to your door over night that will add the bio filter needed to support the fish. or greatly help anyway.

that said there are options on LR some like dead rock at 1st. but its worth
looking into IMHO at least get an idea. of the pro and cons..

another option is (if your using dried rock) look in to Dr. tims...

the point is you need to step up your bio filter or you will get an ammonia spike and kill or hurt your fish.

at the very lest get the ammonia alert and change small amounts of water until you can take the fish back and ask them to hold them until your tank is ready.

good luck and welcome to RC

mpderksen · 04/17/2016, 08:24 PM

I have a less attractive option, but I'll throw it out there
Buy a few 5 gallon buckets for your rock. Keep it in there with salt water to cycle. Use the tank as a completely bare quarantine tank. At least for now.

04/16/2016, 03:48 PM	#1
robert125381 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 113	Just set up my salt water tank whats next? Hey guys new to the hobby and just set up my first tank. I do have a few questions/ concerns I hope Reef Central can help me with. I have a 17 gallon nano, I understand that it is a difficult size to keep for a beginner but I am very limited in space and plan to move in the next year. I got live rock and live sand the pet store I went to suggested that I do a fish cycle so I went home set up the rock and sand and picked up two clowns the next day after the sand settled. I was told that since my tank is so small I should not need a heater but my tank is at 71 F right now :/ so I plan on running to the store to get a heater in the next couple hours! What temp should I keep my tank at? Also what type of equipment should I buy to test the water quality? I know this is a very deep topic (water quality) but what are the things I should be testing for and most focused on since I have no corrals at this point. I am starting to feel as though I was given bad advice so any input is greatly appreciated!

04/16/2016, 04:22 PM	#2
borderreef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: east brookfield, ma Posts: 572	Well, first, welcome. Now, I ticks me off when pet stores tell customers to use fish to cycle a tank. It's inhumame. Second, I can't believe they sold you 2 clowns to do it with. Just another example of them just selling fish. You should bring the clowns back right away. In the beginners section there is a great thread explaining how to cycle your tank. I highly recommend going through it. Great info. There is also a section dedicated to nano tanks. There is a plethora of information here. I'm glad you decided to join us. __________________ There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want. Calvin and Hobbs Current Tank Info: 40b mixed reef with 20g sump. Mg 9.5 return pump running GFO and GAC. Reef Octopus DNW-150 protein skimmer. DIY stand and canopy with 2x 250w MH and 4x 39w vho t5s. Reefkeeper elite controller.

04/16/2016, 04:45 PM	#4
Capt.Nemo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Franklin, KY Posts: 174	You could get some window paint and leave a note on front of store in BIG letters...." don't buy fish here, they are clueless!!!" That should get their attention. Really, call them first chance and let them know you are know aware of their horrible advice. You don't appreciate them taking advantage and you want your money back. Talk to owner. If they don't own up, then resort back to previous plan. Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk __________________ if its plugged in, don't hit the puree button Current Tank Info: 75 gal salt & 29 gallon fresh

04/16/2016, 04:52 PM	#5
Nina51 biggliest cofveve champ Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: 5th floor, Illinois, gewgaw expert Posts: 3,506	is there anywhere you can get a bottle of Prime or something similar? it's an ammonia detoxifier and can be used, i believe, every 48 hours. i agree, you were given very bad, very outdated advice. however, you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar so instead of calling them and ripping them a new body orifice, you might get better results if you just call, explain you did some reading and talking to a few reefers and it was suggested that you return the clowns to the store as you don't want to put them through the stress of a cycle and possibly cause their death. also, good suggestion to read the "new set up" sticky. also, consider a qt to prevent disease from entering your display tank. good luck! __________________ of all the things i've lost, i miss my gary the most. Never hold your farts in. They travel up your spine into your brain, and that is where crappy ideas come from. Current Tank Info: i gave my reef away and i feel like a bird out of a cage!!

04/16/2016, 05:06 PM	#7
Capt.Nemo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Franklin, KY Posts: 174	I understand, but owner should also be aware they have an employee giving bad advice. Follow the advice here and make sure your amonia and nitrites stay in check. Keep some water handy too in case some water change is needed. Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk __________________ if its plugged in, don't hit the puree button Current Tank Info: 75 gal salt & 29 gallon fresh

04/16/2016, 04:36 PM	#3
robert125381 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 113	The store is closed until Tuesday and I cant get dont there until Thursday due to my work schedule what can I do in the mean time?

04/16/2016, 07:42 PM	#9
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	With such a small tank I would speculate that you will get some significant ammonia soon. The way I see it you have a couple choices. Do nothing let the tank cycle, there is a good chance that the fish will die or their lives significantly shortened. Get yourself some prime and do some frequent water changes to keep the ammonia levels down to give the clowns a better chance. This will prolong your cycle, how long I can't say. Good luck just my 2 cents. Nina types faster than I do. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

04/16/2016, 08:36 PM	#10
borderreef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: east brookfield, ma Posts: 572	I agree. Use prime and do a water change between now and Thursday. Then, return the clowns so you can do a proper cycle. Also, I hate to say this, but in my opinion your tank is too small for clowns. They become too large. When sexualy mature, even the smallest species will take over a minimum of 20g of space as their territory. When your tank is ready, I would look at some smaller, colorful fish. You can add 3 or 4 really nice species of fish. __________________ There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want. Calvin and Hobbs Current Tank Info: 40b mixed reef with 20g sump. Mg 9.5 return pump running GFO and GAC. Reef Octopus DNW-150 protein skimmer. DIY stand and canopy with 2x 250w MH and 4x 39w vho t5s. Reefkeeper elite controller.

04/16/2016, 09:20 PM	#11
robert125381 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 113	How long do clowns take to fully grow? Thank you for the all the input! When I get the clowns returned should I cycle my tank with the light on or off?

04/17/2016, 05:57 AM	#12
ezerasurfr Moved On Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 663	They will take a few years to grow. Get some test strips, and an ammonia alert (make sure you get the one for salt water.) Get the prime to keep the ammonia at bay like previously said. Personally, I would get a full test kit on top of the strips. I like the Red Sea kits myself, but everyone's opinion differs on these. And like others suggested, check out the beginner and nano forums.

04/17/2016, 07:14 AM	#13
Bruce51 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: reno, nv Posts: 201	lights on or off for cycle, dosnt matter

04/17/2016, 07:25 AM	#14
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	Anyone around that has a cycled tank that can surrogate them for you till your tank is cycled? Where do you live? If your close I can house them. __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump

04/17/2016, 01:09 PM	#15
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	sorry you got bad advice form your LFS... another option along with the prime would be to order some very live rock form TBS shipped to your door over night that will add the bio filter needed to support the fish. or greatly help anyway. that said there are options on LR some like dead rock at 1st. but its worth looking into IMHO at least get an idea. of the pro and cons.. another option is (if your using dried rock) look in to Dr. tims... the point is you need to step up your bio filter or you will get an ammonia spike and kill or hurt your fish. at the very lest get the ammonia alert and change small amounts of water until you can take the fish back and ask them to hold them until your tank is ready. good luck and welcome to RC

04/17/2016, 08:24 PM	#16
mpderksen Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Manteca, CA Posts: 1,853	I have a less attractive option, but I'll throw it out there Buy a few 5 gallon buckets for your rock. Keep it in there with salt water to cycle. Use the tank as a completely bare quarantine tank. At least for now.