new tank ? with picture...

redvicki · 07/27/2008, 02:05 PM

I just added the start of my CUC yesterday. My question is how often do I need to check my water parameters now? I have been doing it daily for the past 5 weeks waiting for a cycle. Now that's over how often. Here's a picture of my tank that I took today. My husband was so againist me doing this but now that it is set up with the lights he is sooo proud of me and bragging to all his friends. He even likes the tank empty just wait til he sees it full of corals and fish.

crsswift70 · 07/27/2008, 02:09 PM

That's a good question. I check mine about once a month and my salinity when i add top off water to my reservoir on the weekends. And of course again after water changes. You've got some nice corraline and amazingly no algae for a 5 week old tank. Your husband will like the tank, but not the cost of all those corals and fish ;-)

padi200 · 07/27/2008, 02:16 PM

I can not go an entire month! I check mine every week. I think is is good to keep close track or water params so if something is not right you can act early and prevent bigger problems. But, maybe I am OCD about it.

Is there really now algae? That is amazing!
Make sure the new guys have something to eat!

padi200 · 07/27/2008, 02:19 PM

One more thing, if you have a spread sheet program like Microsoft Excel it really helps to put the data there. For one, if the LFS ever asks about your water, you can just print it out. Second, it is great for seeing trends and looking for small changes you might otherwise not see.

I do it and it really helps!

redvicki · 07/27/2008, 02:22 PM

No algae . My rock came with the nice coraline, I bought it from a guy that was breaking down his tank. What should I feed my CUC? The LFS guy said flake was okay? I also have frozen blood worms on hand for my fresh water tank.

crsswift70 · 07/27/2008, 02:26 PM

What does the CUC consist of?

Playa-1 · 07/27/2008, 02:38 PM

Looks like your off to a gr8 start. I would check them weekly for a while until you get good and comfortable with things. Then maybe drop back to every couple of weeks.

redvicki · 07/27/2008, 02:51 PM

So far this is the CUC:
1 emerald crab
3 blue leg crabs
2 peppermint shrimp
3 astea snails
3 nassarius snails
several hitch hiker serpent stars

I know crabs can be evil so I plan on watching them very closely and if need be I will sentence them to life in the fuge. They were just to cute and active to pass up on.

padi200 · 07/27/2008, 02:56 PM

flake is ok, if you plan to have tangs or other fish that eat it, the dry seaweed it great. My CUC likes to eat it too. If you are gonna have it anyway then you might put a little piece in. I would not get it just for them.

Honestly, they will eat just about anything. Most importantly, don't let them starve.

padi200 · 07/27/2008, 02:56 PM

flake is ok, if you plan to have tangs or other fish that eat it, the dry seaweed it great. My CUC likes to eat it too. If you are gonna have it anyway then you might put a little piece in. I would not get it just for them.

Honestly, they will eat just about anything. Most importantly, don't let them starve.

padi200 · 07/27/2008, 02:56 PM

flake is ok, if you plan to have tangs or other fish that eat it, the dry seaweed it great. My CUC likes to eat it too. If you are gonna have it anyway then you might put a little piece in. I would not get it just for them.

Honestly, they will eat just about anything. Most importantly, don't let them starve.

07/27/2008, 02:05 PM	#1
redvicki Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 499	new tank ? with picture... I just added the start of my CUC yesterday. My question is how often do I need to check my water parameters now? I have been doing it daily for the past 5 weeks waiting for a cycle. Now that's over how often. Here's a picture of my tank that I took today. My husband was so againist me doing this but now that it is set up with the lights he is sooo proud of me and bragging to all his friends. He even likes the tank empty just wait til he sees it full of corals and fish.

07/27/2008, 02:09 PM	#2
crsswift70 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Spanish Fort, AL Posts: 1,032	That's a good question. I check mine about once a month and my salinity when i add top off water to my reservoir on the weekends. And of course again after water changes. You've got some nice corraline and amazingly no algae for a 5 week old tank. Your husband will like the tank, but not the cost of all those corals and fish ;-)

07/27/2008, 02:16 PM	#3
padi200 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: LA, CA Posts: 529	I can not go an entire month! I check mine every week. I think is is good to keep close track or water params so if something is not right you can act early and prevent bigger problems. But, maybe I am OCD about it. Is there really now algae? That is amazing! Make sure the new guys have something to eat!

07/27/2008, 02:19 PM	#4
padi200 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: LA, CA Posts: 529	One more thing, if you have a spread sheet program like Microsoft Excel it really helps to put the data there. For one, if the LFS ever asks about your water, you can just print it out. Second, it is great for seeing trends and looking for small changes you might otherwise not see. I do it and it really helps!

07/27/2008, 02:22 PM	#5
redvicki Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 499	No algae . My rock came with the nice coraline, I bought it from a guy that was breaking down his tank. What should I feed my CUC? The LFS guy said flake was okay? I also have frozen blood worms on hand for my fresh water tank.

07/27/2008, 02:26 PM	#6
crsswift70 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Spanish Fort, AL Posts: 1,032	What does the CUC consist of?

07/27/2008, 02:38 PM	#7
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	Looks like your off to a gr8 start. I would check them weekly for a while until you get good and comfortable with things. Then maybe drop back to every couple of weeks.

07/27/2008, 02:51 PM	#8
redvicki Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 499	So far this is the CUC: 1 emerald crab 3 blue leg crabs 2 peppermint shrimp 3 astea snails 3 nassarius snails several hitch hiker serpent stars I know crabs can be evil so I plan on watching them very closely and if need be I will sentence them to life in the fuge. They were just to cute and active to pass up on.

07/27/2008, 02:56 PM	#9
padi200 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: LA, CA Posts: 529	flake is ok, if you plan to have tangs or other fish that eat it, the dry seaweed it great. My CUC likes to eat it too. If you are gonna have it anyway then you might put a little piece in. I would not get it just for them. Honestly, they will eat just about anything. Most importantly, don't let them starve.