free fish

Ronny#66 · 01/15/2009, 01:28 PM

Coe worker called me said her sister is moving to florida. and wants to give her salt water fish away. I have an empty 75 gal with t5 480 watts a magnum 350 with bio wheel and some crushed coral. I don't even know size of her stock and how many . If I can house her fish should I make up salt and get this thing going . I was going to start a reef set up with Tampa Bay rock. Just would like to get the free fish . No live rock just use the magnum and the bio wheel should I look into this will it work. Oh ya I got a skimmer all new for tis tank.

Ronny

Whisperer · 01/15/2009, 02:14 PM

Fish can do fine for a while with bare minimum. Just make sure you have the tank cycled before putting them in.

Please tell whoever is moving to florida, it's very cold 67 degrees here right now.

kernyboy · 01/15/2009, 02:39 PM

67 is cold? I'm in Boston...try moving in 4 -10 degree weather! lol. I'd kill fo 67!

Ronny#66 · 01/15/2009, 04:12 PM

They burried my good friend and fellow Jake Kevin Kelley . Try -19 here in Vermont.

Ronny#66 · 01/15/2009, 04:14 PM

I was thinking Why can't Iuse most of her water in her tank won't this cut down on the cycling.

Aydee · 01/15/2009, 04:15 PM

Opposite end of the scale. 40C (104F).

I'd kill for 67F right about now.

Can you get some of the LR from her tank? If so, that should help with the cycling. Or at least keep things to a controlable level.

AD

Ronny#66 · 01/15/2009, 04:21 PM

I haven't even talked to the lady who has the fish and tank. Just want to get all info I need before I decide to take her stock. Don't know if Fish only ect.

Ronny

Ronny#66 · 01/15/2009, 08:30 PM

What about using her water ?

SaltyDr · 01/15/2009, 08:36 PM

Depends on how well she maintained her tank. If there are high nitrates/phosphates, I wouldn't use much of her water, although it probably is a moot point. Fresh SW with RO/DI is what I'd use, and do some water changes periodically. Fish can withstand nitrates in excess of 100 ppm. I'd say whatever is easier. The real question becomes, what are you going to do with the fish when you cycle your new rock? If you can do it outside of your tank, no problem, but if not, do you have another tank (like a QT) that you can temporarily house them for a couple of weeks while the tank and rock cycle?

weaver5 · 01/15/2009, 08:37 PM

I would use as much of her water as possible. I would even see she might be willing to give you her live rock...........
Scott

Ronny#66 · 01/15/2009, 08:40 PM

I was told by Richard at Tampa Bay where i'm going to get my 75 gal package you don't need to cure his rock just put it in tank . I would think there would be some cycleing with his rock. Good point and no I don't have a QT tank I should though.

Ronny#66 · 01/15/2009, 08:42 PM

Like I aid i haven't even talkd to her. All I was told he had a salt water set up and wants to give the fish away. I
think it will be a problem and cost me more in the long run.
Ronny

longdangler · 01/15/2009, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ronny#66
They burried my good friend and fellow Jake Kevin Kelley . Try -19 here in Vermont.

-15 in Nebraska. I'd kill for about freezing. I feel like jumping in my tank just to warm up.

Whisperer · 01/16/2009, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ronny#66
What about using her water ?

That didn't sound right.

Ronny#66 · 01/16/2009, 08:48 AM

This person was suposed to get ahold of me and I haven't heard from her. Well I've decided it will be difficult to go through a cycle or cycles and then add live rock package and clean up package. Was a nice thought though .

Ronny

Ronny#66 · 02/06/2009, 09:44 AM

I don't know if they have live rock.I know it's a 75 gallon no corals. i can get ther water butkinda getting ahead of myself.I want to get the 75 gal package from Richard tampa Bay in spring. So how can i keep this tank alive with maybe 25 or 30 gallons of there water my Crushed coral substrate and a magnum filter with a bio wheel. Can I put them in a 20 gallon tank with 30 watt light fish only with substrate and cheaphang on filter till spring do my liverock package then add the fish. Or forget whole thing . There a clown 4 bluegreen schromis and Lawnmower blenny I think thats what he called it. Just hate to pass up these free fish.

Ronny

RiverOtter · 02/06/2009, 09:48 AM

None of those fish cost much. You may end up paying more in the long run just on salt for water changes trying to keep them alive through a cycle.

chort55 · 02/06/2009, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RiverOtter
None of those fish cost much. You may end up paying more in the long run just on salt for water changes trying to keep them alive through a cycle.

Yeah clown $10-15 for the common ones, $2-5 per Chromis, $8-15 for the lawnmower blenny.... not really losing out on much. But if they are all fish you want to keep its really your call if it is worth it or not.

Ronny#66 · 02/06/2009, 11:15 AM

Ya good point on losing just thought I could keep them alive in the 20 gallon with out water changes ect with there water . Kinda spur of the moment hing. They were suposed to get ahold of me weeks ago and let me know what they had ect. They got hold of me yesterday and i have to leave on the road sunday doesn't leave me much time to set up the 20 gal and move the fish. Will it cycle with majority of ther water ?

RiverOtter · 02/06/2009, 11:58 AM

Yes, its not the water cycling it the tank you are putting it in. If they will give you all the sand/rock and if you can buy what she is using as a filter and put it all in your tank, you may just have a small cycle.

w16227 · 02/06/2009, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ronny#66
I was told by Richard at Tampa Bay where i'm going to get my 75 gal package you don't need to cure his rock just put it in tank . I would think there would be some cycleing with his rock. Good point and no I don't have a QT tank I should though.

curing and cycling are two different things.........

Curing is a form of cycling - but usually refers to a longer process performed to handle dieoff. Most mail order rock requires this - as the ship damp in newspapers - if at all (some ship pretty much dry). Significant dieoff occurs - and you have to really monitor things. The "cycle" in these cases can last a long time - and require a lot of intervention (water changes/removing dead stuff). rock is usually cured in dark rubbermaid tanks with water movement, heaters and filtration. You can even cure rock in a tank - but this can get stinky and those of us with significant others need to avoid this.

Cycling is similar - but does not always involve live rock. Cycling is where the bacteria "cycle" is completed. It can be in a bare tank with external bacterial media (bio balls, bio wheel) - or with rock as the bacterial filter. Bactria in the tank is used to convert waste (ammonia form fish poo or decaying "stuff") to nitrite - then from nitrate to nitrate. When a cycle is complete - is means that there is enough of the "good" bacteria in the system to handle the current bio load. This is one of th reasons that everyone says to go slow - even a fully "cycled" tank can experience another cycle if overloaded with additional biomass. Most of the things we like in our tanks (fish, corals, inverts) - do not tolerate the chemical shifts of a cycle well.

Many times, you can get "cured" rock - with any major dieoff and bacterial growth already in place. This does not mean you will not have a cycle - but rather it will be less intense and in many cases, shorter. In very rare cases - you will have an undetectable cycle - but there is no way to predict if this will happen. The problem is that you will be exposing the rock to air, either during transit or transfer to the tank.

TBS is great rock - but you would never want to add this or live sand in a tank with fish. Even with cured rock - you want to set the tank up and have everything in place with good solid water test results over 2 weeks before adding anything. Richards rock will undoubtedly have sponges attached - and they are the worst die off risk when exposed to air.

You can add (SLOWLY) pieces of cured live rock to an established tank - but in this case you shoul dbe quaranteenign the live rock first to make sure the bioload added is minimal.

I would pass on the fish if you are going to go with TBS. Get the tank set up first with the rock. As others have said, the fish listed are noting special. You will probably have more expenses dealing with any transition than you would with buying new fish.

Good luck

Ronny#66 · 02/06/2009, 03:01 PM

Thanks w16227 Ya W is easire. Thanks for the lenthy response . Ya it is realy not the way i want to start the new 75 . As it is o got to cut the opening where the doot is 8 inches biger to get a 20 gallon tank through opening fo a home made what I call sump. Going to take 4 inches off each side i don't think this will affect the strength for the weight of the tank. But just for my piece of ming . I'm going to screw and glue a 2x4 across the front where i took off yhe 8 inches total and this will reinforce it . It's only that pesses wood stand that comes with tank. I'd rather a home made out of 2x4's and stained but the stand came with package and it was on sale to I baught it. This is why I realy didn't ant to set it up right now not realy ready.

Ronny

01/15/2009, 01:28 PM	#1
Ronny#66 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Twilight zone Posts: 1,839	free fish Coe worker called me said her sister is moving to florida. and wants to give her salt water fish away. I have an empty 75 gal with t5 480 watts a magnum 350 with bio wheel and some crushed coral. I don't even know size of her stock and how many . If I can house her fish should I make up salt and get this thing going . I was going to start a reef set up with Tampa Bay rock. Just would like to get the free fish . No live rock just use the magnum and the bio wheel should I look into this will it work. Oh ya I got a skimmer all new for tis tank. Ronny

01/15/2009, 02:14 PM	#2
Whisperer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Punta Gorda, FL Posts: 4,020	Fish can do fine for a while with bare minimum. Just make sure you have the tank cycled before putting them in. Please tell whoever is moving to florida, it's very cold 67 degrees here right now. __________________ The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten. --------- No one is born with intellect and age guarantees wisdom to no one. Current Tank Info: 120G reef, 30G sump, 10G QT tank Last edited by Whisperer; 01/15/2009 at 02:23 PM.

02/06/2009, 09:48 AM	#17
RiverOtter Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Redding CA Posts: 166	None of those fish cost much. You may end up paying more in the long run just on salt for water changes trying to keep them alive through a cycle. __________________ 50 gal reef 5m. old Starting a 38 gal seahorse tank Current Tank Info: 50 gal reef 55gl FW

02/06/2009, 11:58 AM	#20
RiverOtter Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Redding CA Posts: 166	Yes, its not the water cycling it the tank you are putting it in. If they will give you all the sand/rock and if you can buy what she is using as a filter and put it all in your tank, you may just have a small cycle. __________________ 50 gal reef 5m. old Starting a 38 gal seahorse tank Current Tank Info: 50 gal reef 55gl FW

01/15/2009, 02:39 PM	#3
kernyboy Moved On Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: MA Posts: 470	67 is cold? I'm in Boston...try moving in 4 -10 degree weather! lol. I'd kill fo 67!

01/15/2009, 04:12 PM	#4
Ronny#66 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Twilight zone Posts: 1,839	They burried my good friend and fellow Jake Kevin Kelley . Try -19 here in Vermont.

01/15/2009, 04:14 PM	#5
Ronny#66 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Twilight zone Posts: 1,839	I was thinking Why can't Iuse most of her water in her tank won't this cut down on the cycling.

01/15/2009, 04:15 PM	#6
Aydee Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canberra Australia Posts: 102	Opposite end of the scale. 40C (104F). I'd kill for 67F right about now. Can you get some of the LR from her tank? If so, that should help with the cycling. Or at least keep things to a controlable level. AD

01/15/2009, 04:21 PM	#7
Ronny#66 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Twilight zone Posts: 1,839	I haven't even talked to the lady who has the fish and tank. Just want to get all info I need before I decide to take her stock. Don't know if Fish only ect. Ronny

01/15/2009, 08:30 PM	#8
Ronny#66 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Twilight zone Posts: 1,839	What about using her water ?

01/15/2009, 08:36 PM	#9
SaltyDr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southwest Florida Posts: 1,191	Depends on how well she maintained her tank. If there are high nitrates/phosphates, I wouldn't use much of her water, although it probably is a moot point. Fresh SW with RO/DI is what I'd use, and do some water changes periodically. Fish can withstand nitrates in excess of 100 ppm. I'd say whatever is easier. The real question becomes, what are you going to do with the fish when you cycle your new rock? If you can do it outside of your tank, no problem, but if not, do you have another tank (like a QT) that you can temporarily house them for a couple of weeks while the tank and rock cycle?

01/15/2009, 08:37 PM	#10
weaver5 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Batavia Posts: 1,249	I would use as much of her water as possible. I would even see she might be willing to give you her live rock........... Scott

01/15/2009, 08:40 PM	#11
Ronny#66 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Twilight zone Posts: 1,839	I was told by Richard at Tampa Bay where i'm going to get my 75 gal package you don't need to cure his rock just put it in tank . I would think there would be some cycleing with his rock. Good point and no I don't have a QT tank I should though.

01/15/2009, 08:42 PM	#12
Ronny#66 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Twilight zone Posts: 1,839	Like I aid i haven't even talkd to her. All I was told he had a salt water set up and wants to give the fish away. I think it will be a problem and cost me more in the long run. Ronny

01/16/2009, 08:48 AM	#15
Ronny#66 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Twilight zone Posts: 1,839	This person was suposed to get ahold of me and I haven't heard from her. Well I've decided it will be difficult to go through a cycle or cycles and then add live rock package and clean up package. Was a nice thought though . Ronny

02/06/2009, 09:44 AM	#16
Ronny#66 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Twilight zone Posts: 1,839	I don't know if they have live rock.I know it's a 75 gallon no corals. i can get ther water butkinda getting ahead of myself.I want to get the 75 gal package from Richard tampa Bay in spring. So how can i keep this tank alive with maybe 25 or 30 gallons of there water my Crushed coral substrate and a magnum filter with a bio wheel. Can I put them in a 20 gallon tank with 30 watt light fish only with substrate and cheaphang on filter till spring do my liverock package then add the fish. Or forget whole thing . There a clown 4 bluegreen schromis and Lawnmower blenny I think thats what he called it. Just hate to pass up these free fish. Ronny

02/06/2009, 11:15 AM	#19
Ronny#66 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Twilight zone Posts: 1,839	Ya good point on losing just thought I could keep them alive in the 20 gallon with out water changes ect with there water . Kinda spur of the moment hing. They were suposed to get ahold of me weeks ago and let me know what they had ect. They got hold of me yesterday and i have to leave on the road sunday doesn't leave me much time to set up the 20 gal and move the fish. Will it cycle with majority of ther water ?

02/06/2009, 03:01 PM	#22
Ronny#66 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Twilight zone Posts: 1,839	Thanks w16227 Ya W is easire. Thanks for the lenthy response . Ya it is realy not the way i want to start the new 75 . As it is o got to cut the opening where the doot is 8 inches biger to get a 20 gallon tank through opening fo a home made what I call sump. Going to take 4 inches off each side i don't think this will affect the strength for the weight of the tank. But just for my piece of ming . I'm going to screw and glue a 2x4 across the front where i took off yhe 8 inches total and this will reinforce it . It's only that pesses wood stand that comes with tank. I'd rather a home made out of 2x4's and stained but the stand came with package and it was on sale to I baught it. This is why I realy didn't ant to set it up right now not realy ready. Ronny