Just getting started, Fish and feeding question

newageaudio · 11/15/2009, 04:31 PM

I am just getting started. I believe everything has cycled. I just put a few snails and a few crabs in my tank. I am going to be getting a coral banded shrimp this week. I have no fish in the tank right now as I am just getting everything going.

Should I be feeding the hermit crabs and the snails or will they take care of themselve? When I get the shrimp what should I feed them?

Also what is the best fish to start out with in a reef tank just getting started?

Thanks for all the Help.

DetroitCrow · 11/15/2009, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newageaudio

I believe everything has cycled.

How do you know that its cycled? what are your water prams?

bertoni · 11/15/2009, 04:41 PM

I'd start feeding very lightly, maybe 1-2 flakes of food for a 30g system, as an approximation. That'd help build up the population of small animals.

newageaudio · 11/15/2009, 05:13 PM

My tank is 225 gallon and my sump is homemade out of 75 gallon tank, when it is running it is 40 gallon.

My parameters as of right now are:
Ammonia 0
PH 8.47
KH 230
Nitrate 20
Nitrtie 0
CA 420
Salinity 1.023
Temp 80 f

How do they add up?

aquainas · 11/15/2009, 05:17 PM

Numbers look good, though I would recommend if you plan on keeping coral shoot for 1.025sg.

How long has the tank been cycling?

newageaudio · 11/15/2009, 05:35 PM

The rock was bought from an established tank and has been in my tank for about a month.
I have been cycling for a month.

I have been checking my levels and they have all leveled off. Like I said I have added some inverts and I would like to start to add fish.

Was wondering what fish would be the best to start with and easiest to care for.

thegrun · 11/15/2009, 05:41 PM

Was wondering what fish would be the best to start with and easiest to care for.[/QUOTE]

You have a huge choice of fish, what are your long term goals? Fish only? Soft corals? SPS corals? We need this information to base a selection on.

bertoni · 11/15/2009, 05:50 PM

The alkalinity is high and the SG is rather low. This article covers a lot of parameters:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm

I'd raise the SG and let alkalinity drop. Are you dosing pH buffers? They are just high-pH alkalinity supplements.

There are lots of fish that are easy to keep. Clowns, royal grammas, many goby fishes, and some blenny are fine. You might want to get a book for ideas. Scott Michael has a number of handy books. I agree that we need to know your long-term plans.

newageaudio · 11/15/2009, 06:07 PM

I haven't been dosing. Should I be?

I am going to get my parameters right before I add fish. I was just looking to get some info on some good starter fish.

I was looking to have a mixed reef tank, hard and soft corals(long term). But for now I am just looking to get some nice fish so I have something I can get stated with.

bertoni · 11/15/2009, 07:07 PM

I don't know how the alkalinity reached 230 (I assume ppm) without something being added. I'd check that test kit. Maybe a LFS can help. You'll need a calcium test kit, too.

11/15/2009, 04:31 PM	#1
newageaudio Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 22	Just getting started, Fish and feeding question I am just getting started. I believe everything has cycled. I just put a few snails and a few crabs in my tank. I am going to be getting a coral banded shrimp this week. I have no fish in the tank right now as I am just getting everything going. Should I be feeding the hermit crabs and the snails or will they take care of themselve? When I get the shrimp what should I feed them? Also what is the best fish to start out with in a reef tank just getting started? Thanks for all the Help.

11/15/2009, 04:41 PM	#3
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I'd start feeding very lightly, maybe 1-2 flakes of food for a 30g system, as an approximation. That'd help build up the population of small animals. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

11/15/2009, 05:17 PM	#5
aquainas Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: AZ Posts: 1,361	Numbers look good, though I would recommend if you plan on keeping coral shoot for 1.025sg. How long has the tank been cycling? __________________ “Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation.” - D. Elton Trueblood Current Tank Info: In-wall 240 Main display\|MSX300\|MP40W's\|Radiums\|Ecoxotic\|Apex\|Constant water change via LiterMeter III R.I.P

11/15/2009, 05:50 PM	#8
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	The alkalinity is high and the SG is rather low. This article covers a lot of parameters: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm I'd raise the SG and let alkalinity drop. Are you dosing pH buffers? They are just high-pH alkalinity supplements. There are lots of fish that are easy to keep. Clowns, royal grammas, many goby fishes, and some blenny are fine. You might want to get a book for ideas. Scott Michael has a number of handy books. I agree that we need to know your long-term plans. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

11/15/2009, 07:07 PM	#10
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I don't know how the alkalinity reached 230 (I assume ppm) without something being added. I'd check that test kit. Maybe a LFS can help. You'll need a calcium test kit, too. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

11/15/2009, 05:13 PM	#4
newageaudio Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 22	My tank is 225 gallon and my sump is homemade out of 75 gallon tank, when it is running it is 40 gallon. My parameters as of right now are: Ammonia 0 PH 8.47 KH 230 Nitrate 20 Nitrtie 0 CA 420 Salinity 1.023 Temp 80 f How do they add up?

11/15/2009, 05:35 PM	#6
newageaudio Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 22	The rock was bought from an established tank and has been in my tank for about a month. I have been cycling for a month. I have been checking my levels and they have all leveled off. Like I said I have added some inverts and I would like to start to add fish. Was wondering what fish would be the best to start with and easiest to care for.

11/15/2009, 05:41 PM	#7
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Was wondering what fish would be the best to start with and easiest to care for.[/QUOTE] You have a huge choice of fish, what are your long term goals? Fish only? Soft corals? SPS corals? We need this information to base a selection on.

11/15/2009, 06:07 PM	#9
newageaudio Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 22	I haven't been dosing. Should I be? I am going to get my parameters right before I add fish. I was just looking to get some info on some good starter fish. I was looking to have a mixed reef tank, hard and soft corals(long term). But for now I am just looking to get some nice fish so I have something I can get stated with.