couple new reef questions

fishmonger007 · 10/07/2010, 09:08 PM

hi there

i started my first tank a few weeks ago. got the sand from a nearby store and finished cycling the tank. i think it was a short cycle because the rock was from someone else's tank. does that sound right? there were no spikes in nitrates or ammonia just very low readings using a salifert test kit

some other quick questions i have

should i set up a sump? i plan to only keep a few small fish and maybe an anemone if i can find a nice one. the tank is a 30 gallon cube.

fish will probably be a pair of clowns and a few gobies

if i do get a sump what overflow should i use? im looking for some people who have used different overflows and have some knowledge of them

thank you for your help

fishmonger007 · 10/07/2010, 09:10 PM

i am also looking for a nice anemone. the ones at the local store are only ugly ones. they look brown almost like apitasia. what are some nice ones that will host my little clowns

Iguana79 · 10/07/2010, 10:23 PM

Sure a lot of people will chime in about sumps (Make your own.. Cheaper) Or find a used one. Over Flows. A lot of people will tell you the pros & cons of 2 or 3 different ones. I have used eshopps overflow and I am currently using a CPR continuous overflow. The eshopps works great, but durning a power outage I know my cpr will start to flow again. Plus algae grew in my overflow U tube. But there are a few out there.

Wait on the anemone until your tank is at least 6 months old. Some people have luck with newer tanks. I got one a few years back when my tank was only 2-3months old and it was stressed and split once I believe due to stress. Water quality has to be perfect to keep one. I had a BTA.

There are a few On-Line stores that look like they have some good ones. I got mine from a LFS so couldn't really recommend an online store.

Mr. Fish · 10/07/2010, 10:37 PM

If you saw some ammonia during the beginning of your cycle and if you don't see any now, I would say your safe to add a fish.

I don't have a sump on my 24 gallon tank with two fish and an anemone and its just fine.

If you want a pretty, undamanding anemone I would go with a rose bubble tip anemone. I have kept a regular bubble tip under one power compact bulb and it has done great for over five years. The only clown that will for sure use a bubble tip is a tomato clownfish; any other type of clown your really risking it.

10/07/2010, 09:08 PM	#1
fishmonger007 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 292	couple new reef questions hi there i started my first tank a few weeks ago. got the sand from a nearby store and finished cycling the tank. i think it was a short cycle because the rock was from someone else's tank. does that sound right? there were no spikes in nitrates or ammonia just very low readings using a salifert test kit some other quick questions i have should i set up a sump? i plan to only keep a few small fish and maybe an anemone if i can find a nice one. the tank is a 30 gallon cube. fish will probably be a pair of clowns and a few gobies if i do get a sump what overflow should i use? im looking for some people who have used different overflows and have some knowledge of them thank you for your help

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10/07/2010, 09:10 PM	#2
fishmonger007 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 292	i am also looking for a nice anemone. the ones at the local store are only ugly ones. they look brown almost like apitasia. what are some nice ones that will host my little clowns

10/07/2010, 10:23 PM	#3
Iguana79 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 124	Sure a lot of people will chime in about sumps (Make your own.. Cheaper) Or find a used one. Over Flows. A lot of people will tell you the pros & cons of 2 or 3 different ones. I have used eshopps overflow and I am currently using a CPR continuous overflow. The eshopps works great, but durning a power outage I know my cpr will start to flow again. Plus algae grew in my overflow U tube. But there are a few out there. Wait on the anemone until your tank is at least 6 months old. Some people have luck with newer tanks. I got one a few years back when my tank was only 2-3months old and it was stressed and split once I believe due to stress. Water quality has to be perfect to keep one. I had a BTA. There are a few On-Line stores that look like they have some good ones. I got mine from a LFS so couldn't really recommend an online store.

10/07/2010, 10:37 PM	#4
Mr. Fish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 828	If you saw some ammonia during the beginning of your cycle and if you don't see any now, I would say your safe to add a fish. I don't have a sump on my 24 gallon tank with two fish and an anemone and its just fine. If you want a pretty, undamanding anemone I would go with a rose bubble tip anemone. I have kept a regular bubble tip under one power compact bulb and it has done great for over five years. The only clown that will for sure use a bubble tip is a tomato clownfish; any other type of clown your really risking it.