I'm concerned about this tank... - Page 2

sponger0 · 09/17/2011, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sporto0

Cowgirl, anyone who says the size of the tank is not a concern is not telling you the whole story, Nano tanks do require extra special attention to the details, like I mentioned before, stability can be thrown off very quickly in a smaller volume tank, less room for error. You can keep very nice Nano tanks, but read up on them first, it does require a little more diligence & patience. Enjoy!

Smaller tanks just require you to watch it more carefully. I dont think its much of a hassle especially once you get stable. I still test like its a new tank and i pretty much know whats going on with my water.

Also I wanted to explain the nitrate cycle. Its good to know and will help you understand what people mean by cycle. The critters...ie fish, and so on. They will create waste and in return you will have ammonia. It is also produced by dead material and stuff on the rocks and sand have it and the system doesnt have enough bacteria to dispose of it. The ammonia will then turn into nitrites. Nitrites and ammonia are deadly to critters. So you want a system that reads 0 on both. In time the nitrite will turn in nitrate which is less lethal and at that point you can consider a clean up crew to begin cleaning up the tank of waste. Such snails, hermit crabs, shrimp. Shortly after that once everything read zero, you can add a fish. The bacteria will at that point be able to hold the load and grow to hold that biolad. Its definately not recommended to go fast at this. I hope this helps how the water chemistry works and why so many including myself suggest get your water tests. Also you can make a chart and test the water...at least every 2-3 days. This way you can monitor your levels and hopefully see conditions improve if your tank hasnt cycled. Its hard to tell where your tank sits with out that information.

One other at least recommended to return the serpent star...and i will say that guy is pretty right but Im not too sure you will be able to have any fish with it in the tank. If you cant return it, maybe somewhere is close to you on here and has a tank that would want it.

Wish you success. Its a very rewarding hobby. So dont give up yet. Tons here to help. If you have anything else. just ask...no stupid questions here. Just the lack of knowledge and now you have the tools to get the answers you need.

gone fishin · 09/18/2011, 02:14 AM

I can't offer up much advice only been in the saltwater world for about a year but a book that helped me was "the complete idiots guide to saltwater' it is very easy to read. good luck

rovster · 09/18/2011, 08:24 AM

Welcome. I have a bc14 also and it's a great little tank. Got me hooked on the hobby and now I want bigger. It's also fun to mod these tanks. I agree the the livestock you have in there is not appropriate. I not one to talk because my live stock is not appropriate either, but I'm planning a bigger tank anyway. At the beginning it's very exciting, I remember I had my hands in the tank every other day, lol! Definitely get a test kit. I use the API master kit, and added a few more as I progressed. Trust me, if you are stock, you do not have a lot of flow. I change about 3-4 gal of water every week, and sometimes I'll do another smaller one mid week. I'll list my mods not because they are things you should do, but things you could do and should research. My list of mods: upgraded return pump to a MJ900, koralia nano 240, koralia nano 425, all running full time :-)), Remove false floors in chamber 1 and 2, remove bioballs, InTank media rack with filter pad (changed every few days), purigen, and chemipure elite (highly recommended). I have a digital thermometer with readout velcroed to the front so I can keep an eye on temps. Mods I still plan on doing are upgrading the fans for better cooling, and possibly an ATO. Things I wish I had are an MP10, LEDs, and a reef controller, but they may not happen once I get a larger tank. With the stock lights, I have seen great growth and response from my zoos, ps us, chalice, hammer, Xenia, gsp, etc. You can keep things stock and still have a nice little tank. I would consider adding at least a koralia 240 for additional flow, and a media rack instead of bioballs. Where you go from there is up to you and part of the journey.

Here's a pic of my tank. Disregard the tang and the blenny, both do not belong there (the tang came with the tank, and the blenny was a hitch hiker). I bought the tank used and it had been up and running for a year and the origional owner was doing a lot wrong. I've had it for around 6 months, and it looks sooooooo much nicer and the origional corals he had have more than doubled in size. Its not an SPS megareef like some have, but I like it and it keeps me entertained :-))

When I bought it....

Last week....

rovster · 09/18/2011, 08:48 AM

I'll add that the "Nano Reef Handbook" is also a good read, and sums everything up pretty well. Its similar to a lot of the Marine/Reef/guides, but for small tanks.

WetShepherd · 09/18/2011, 10:32 AM

Rov, not to get off topic, but if I may ask, what are the corals you have in the center of your LR (only ones visible in the first pic)? I had some come in as hitch hikers but never got a sold ID on them. Thanks

Your cube is looking good btw - really like the corals. How long did it take yoru hammers to spread that far?

rovster · 09/18/2011, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WetShepherd

Rov, not to get off topic, but if I may ask, what are the corals you have in the center of your LR (only ones visible in the first pic)? I had some come in as hitch hikers but never got a sold ID on them. Thanks

Your cube is looking good btw - really like the corals. How long did it take yoru hammers to spread that far?

I'm not sure, as they came with the tank. The previous owner referred to them as palyzoas, I've looked them up on www.zoaid.com and the closest thing I found were "copper coated dream catchers". The colony has doubled in size since I got them, and ivery now and again will sprout a new head. There are 3 other polyps that I think the previous owner "fragged" in other areas of the tank. They love direct feeding (cyclopeeze and formula preparations). My LFS has a huge colony of them, and they look really cool.

As far as the hammers, I can't take credit for those. It was an excellent frag from a new pet store. I think I paid like 40 bucks or less after all the discounts. It has like 8 heads or more. At the LFS, they had it under very blue LEDs and it would glow like crazy. Unfortunately, my actinic blue is not enough to get it to phosphoresce. I have an LED flashlight, and if I hold it close to the frag, I can see the stalks light up. That's why I wish I had LEDs. Same story with the ricordia. Don't glow so much in my tank with actinics. Thanks for the compliment

09/18/2011, 08:24 AM	#28
rovster Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Miramar, FL Posts: 7,518	Welcome. I have a bc14 also and it's a great little tank. Got me hooked on the hobby and now I want bigger. It's also fun to mod these tanks. I agree the the livestock you have in there is not appropriate. I not one to talk because my live stock is not appropriate either, but I'm planning a bigger tank anyway. At the beginning it's very exciting, I remember I had my hands in the tank every other day, lol! Definitely get a test kit. I use the API master kit, and added a few more as I progressed. Trust me, if you are stock, you do not have a lot of flow. I change about 3-4 gal of water every week, and sometimes I'll do another smaller one mid week. I'll list my mods not because they are things you should do, but things you could do and should research. My list of mods: upgraded return pump to a MJ900, koralia nano 240, koralia nano 425, all running full time :-)), Remove false floors in chamber 1 and 2, remove bioballs, InTank media rack with filter pad (changed every few days), purigen, and chemipure elite (highly recommended). I have a digital thermometer with readout velcroed to the front so I can keep an eye on temps. Mods I still plan on doing are upgrading the fans for better cooling, and possibly an ATO. Things I wish I had are an MP10, LEDs, and a reef controller, but they may not happen once I get a larger tank. With the stock lights, I have seen great growth and response from my zoos, ps us, chalice, hammer, Xenia, gsp, etc. You can keep things stock and still have a nice little tank. I would consider adding at least a koralia 240 for additional flow, and a media rack instead of bioballs. Where you go from there is up to you and part of the journey. Here's a pic of my tank. Disregard the tang and the blenny, both do not belong there (the tang came with the tank, and the blenny was a hitch hiker). I bought the tank used and it had been up and running for a year and the origional owner was doing a lot wrong. I've had it for around 6 months, and it looks sooooooo much nicer and the origional corals he had have more than doubled in size. Its not an SPS megareef like some have, but I like it and it keeps me entertained :-)) When I bought it.... Last week.... Last edited by rovster; 09/18/2011 at 08:43 AM.

09/18/2011, 10:32 AM	#30
WetShepherd Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 522 Blog Entries: 5	Rov, not to get off topic, but if I may ask, what are the corals you have in the center of your LR (only ones visible in the first pic)? I had some come in as hitch hikers but never got a sold ID on them. Thanks Your cube is looking good btw - really like the corals. How long did it take yoru hammers to spread that far? __________________ (see blog for pics) 55g Tank (48" x 13" x 21") /c 60lbs LR & 60lbs Sand 2 MP10w 1 Koralia 425 PH, 3 Reef Brite LED Bars, 15g Sump Tunze DOC Skimmer 9002 and 2 150w Eheim Jager Heater @ 78.5 degrees

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09/18/2011, 02:14 AM	#27
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	I can't offer up much advice only been in the saltwater world for about a year but a book that helped me was "the complete idiots guide to saltwater' it is very easy to read. good luck

09/18/2011, 08:48 AM	#29
rovster Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Miramar, FL Posts: 7,518	I'll add that the "Nano Reef Handbook" is also a good read, and sums everything up pretty well. Its similar to a lot of the Marine/Reef/guides, but for small tanks.