First tank questions- need help

[chelseabrook]

Hi i have a 36 gallon bowfront tank. Not drilled. I have a hob fillter, two aqeuon 30 powerheads some somewhat live rock, and live sand.

Its been up for a few weeks now, just bought 3 cheap damsels for something to look at. Was told to wait on protein skimmer until i can save up for a good one rather than buying a cheapie one for 20 bucks online. So for now i guess ill rely on water changes.

Question 1: Is there a way to test my tap water to see if i can use that? I have been using RO/DI water but just wanted to know how id go about testing tap water to possibly use for top offs in emergencies

Question 2: Seen some life in my live sand. Small white worms not sure what they are, they dont seem to be doing much of anything. Any idea what they may be? Some bristle worms i saw when i first poured sand in but havent since, maybe they died? About 3 feather dusters, 1 baby brittle star? 2 small clear shrimp looking things and a few really tiny pinkish clear shrimpy things . Anyone know what those may be? Cant get good pics.

Question 3: looking into refugiums, was told i could put a dwarf sea horse in it by a reef store.... dont know about that seems mean . I want one but i dont think i can if i have coral right? Also i looked at refugiums online saw one that looked like a floating in tank breeder tank with holes for water flow and you just put small live rock and sand and some plants in there and the water flows in an out through those holes? anyone used one of those? i may just use my freshwater breeder and try it out.

Question 4: trying to aqua scape live rock, was told to use some putty stuff so they stick together. Do i have to use that or can i just stack them. they seem pretty much sturdy unless i was to knock them with my net or hand the wrong way. i want to be able to change them later if i get sick of the look. But i also dont want them toppling over and breaking my glass either.

Question 5: im getting clowns and want to TRY to breed eventually. i know its hard i get that from the forums on them but i someday want to attempt it. if i was to get one of the normal orange ones and one of the black clowns can they breed? or do they need to be the same? do i want an anemone? will the anemone hurt the other fish or me if im moving something in the tank? How will i remove the anemone if it splits and want to sell the other part?

Question 6: cycling, like i said live rock i think, live sand . regular t8 light on right now but t5s go on tomorrow, am i cycled already? its been 2 weeks, testing normal so far. will i get an algae bloom or should i be safe from that now?

Thanks more questions to come im sure dont have to answer them all but any answers or comments appreciated im super new!

thanks guys!

[Chrisjbarry]

Question 1: Is there a way to test my tap water to see if i can use that? I have been using RO/DI water but just wanted to know how id go about testing tap water to possibly use for top offs in emergencies

You can get a tds meter and check for phosphates.

Question 2: Seen some life in my live sand. Small white worms not sure what they are, they dont seem to be doing much of anything. Any idea what they may be? Some bristle worms i saw when i first poured sand in but havent since, maybe they died? About 3 feather dusters, 1 baby brittle star? 2 small clear shrimp looking things and a few really tiny pinkish clear shrimpy things . Anyone know what those may be? Cant get good pics.

Worms are hard to tell without a pic. Bristle worms are there just wait till you start feeding and look for them at night. Shrimp looking things are pods very good for any tank.

Question 3: looking into refugiums, was told i could put a dwarf sea horse in it by a reef store.... dont know about that seems mean . I want one but i dont think i can if i have coral right? Also i looked at refugiums online saw one that looked like a floating in tank breeder tank with holes for water flow and you just put small live rock and sand and some plants in there and the water flows in an out through those holes? anyone used one of those? i may just use my freshwater breeder and try it out.

Link? Ive been keeping tanks for 10+ years and would not keep a seahorse.


Question 4: trying to aqua scape live rock, was told to use some putty stuff so they stick together. Do i have to use that or can i just stack them. they seem pretty much sturdy unless i was to knock them with my net or hand the wrong way. i want to be able to change them later if i get sick of the look. But i also dont want them toppling over and breaking my glass either.

Stacking them is ok but make sure they dont move at all even with little force. If they do they are not stacked right.

Question 5: im getting clowns and want to TRY to breed eventually. i know its hard i get that from the forums on them but i someday want to attempt it. if i was to get one of the normal orange ones and one of the black clowns can they breed? or do they need to be the same? do i want an anemone? will the anemone hurt the other fish or me if im moving something in the tank? How will i remove the anemone if it splits and want to sell the other part?

You maybe able to put the clowns in the same tank, but doubt they will breed.
Anenome is not needed to breed clowns. If you get one and it splits, then you want to sell it, Ive used ice at the base for it to let go of the rock.

Question 6: cycling, like i said live rock i think, live sand . regular t8 light on right now but t5s go on tomorrow, am i cycled already? its been 2 weeks, testing normal so far. will i get an algae bloom or should i be safe from that now?

What are your readings? Buy a api kit to test everything.




Sent from inside the shark tank!

[chelseabrook]

thanks

refugium links:
http://************.com/2012/12/06/n...tick-refugium/

http://www.amazon.com/In-Tank-Refugi.../dp/B001ODZH0U

Also do you have any problems with the anemone and other fish besides clowns , i was told if i got an anemone all i would have after awhile is clowns bc the anemone would eat or sting my other fish.
Also is there risk of getting stung myself if im reaching in the tank to move something or when using ice on it with my fingers so close?
Once i get it off the rock how do i get it out of the tank safely ? net it and put it in another bag of water or something?

[chelseabrook]

also im looking at api test kits, should i get marine test kit or reef? im planning on getting some coral frags

[jjwilbanks]

As far as tap water is concerned, all tap water is loaded with phosphates. The utility companies must put phosphates in the water to prevent corrosion. The city I live in has some of the purest tap water in the country, but pure water is corrosive. My TDS reading is only around 50 ppm and most of that is phosphate. RO/DI is the way to go or algae will become a nightmare.

What kind of damsels did you buy? Unless they are chromis's you are going to have one live damsel and two dead damsels soon. Damsels are extremely aggressive to other damsels and in small enclosures can become aggressive to any other fish (and keep in mind that clown fish are damsels as well). If you are planning on breeding clown fish in a 36 gallon tank, I would think you will only want the breeding pair in the tank. Clown fish can become aggressive, especially when pairing off. You could probably get away with a benthic (bottom dwelling) fish that the clowns will not see as a threat.

The only other thing I would add to Chris's post is that 2 weeks is a bit fast for cycling to be complete. I would not add anything else for several weeks. Slow and steady wins the race. Be patient and let your system acclimate. Your nitrates are going to start spiking with the fish additions and nitrates can be difficult to remove.

[jjwilbanks]

API is the dollar tree version of test kits. If you want accuracy, get a Salifert or Seachem kit.

[chelseabrook]

wow wish the petco would have told me i shouldnt get them together... would have been nice to know.... he told me if they seem agressive at all that i could get rid of the aggressive one sell him or give him away or whatever. i figured since they were all in the same tank theyd be ok. they are minding their own business in my tank. suppose well see, i only spent $8 bucks total on them.

Ill look up those test kits thank you

[sponger0]

OK oh boy lol

Question 1: Dont use tap water. Your asking for trouble. Nuisance algae will become your new best friend. Either buy RO/DI water from the store or get an RO/DI unit with a TDS meter.

Question 2: Pics would help identify what you have. During a cycle, it may or may not live based on how high the ammonia gets.

Question 3: Seahorses arent really recommended for the beginner. They are hard to keep and may or may not eat prepared food. If they dont, they are going to need pods. Which can be expensive unless you culture your own. Seahorses generally dont do good in a reef due to the flow. They like low flow regions. And some fish may bother them.

Question 4: You can just stack them. Or use epoxy. Epoxy isnt that difficult to pull off. Or it wasnt for me. Ive always just stacked them though. Never had anything fall. Remember, water can help keep some rocks up but not completely.

Question 5: Breeding clowns is time consuming and you wont see any benefits til way down the road. I have a true Perc and Black Ocellaris that are paired but have never laid eggs. If they can mate I can say. Anemones are nice to have but also something for the advanced reef keeper. Depending on the anemone is depending on the strength of their sting if they will eat other fish. If you have any allergic reactions to bee stings or jellyfish stings, you may want to wear gloves when putting your hand into the tank. Some people have had serious reactions to the toxins. Luckily I havent.


Question 6: If yoru tank has been running for 2 weeks and you havent seen any signs of ammonia, its most likely cycled. What are your test readings currently for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate? And yes you will have algae blooms. Its just want happens.


And on the topic of a skimmer, with a 36 gallon tank, you dont really need a skimmer. Weekly water changes of 4 gallons will be fine for you.


And on a second note, you basically cycled your tank with damsels. Bad hobbyist!!! This is a very looked down upon practice. It was used before but now is no longer recommended. Its cruel and your basically putting the fish in a toxic container. Ammonia is very toxic to fish. It's fine if you didnt know, but now you do. And if you want clowns, I recommend you return those damsels to the store. The rest of use cycle the tank without any livestock.

Welcome to the hobby and Im sure youll have alot more questions.

[sponger0]

As for coral, I would wait until you get the hang of basic parameters for fish. Ammonia, nitrite and nitrates. The reef kit from API is fine. Ive been using mine and never been an issue.

But with a reef you need to test for other things such as alkalinity, magnesium and calcium. Oh and phosphates.

But for now just get the ammonia, nitrite and nitrates kits and a refractometer. Dont try to save money and get a hydrometer. They arent accurate.

[chelseabrook]

Originally Posted by sponger0

OK oh boy lol


And on a second note, you basically cycled your tank with damsels. Bad hobbyist!!! This is a very looked down upon practice. It was used before but now is no longer recommended. Its cruel and your basically putting the fish in a toxic container. Ammonia is very toxic to fish. It's fine if you didnt know, but now you do. And if you want clowns, I recommend you return those damsels to the store. The rest of use cycle the tank without any livestock.

Welcome to the hobby and Im sure youll have alot more questions.

Thanks for the info sponger. I actually just got the damsels yesterday, after having the tank set up for 2 weeks, with live sand and live rock that had already been cycled for months in another tank from someone. I got everything tested after the 2 weeks and my ammonia, nitrates etc they said were all great or pretty much 0. So if after 2 weeks i should be cycled i actually cycled without livestock
I didnt add my damsels until after.

Will petco take my damsels back? I know they do not guarantee fish but will they do returns if they are healthy? I would much rather have clowns. The damsels still have no interest in one another, no nips in fins or anything. For now anyway . Well see i guess.
Ill get the api reef kit so i have everything in advance, ill get a refracometer and chuck the hydrometer. Are the refracs that stay in the tank at all?

[Painted skin]

Nem are not recommended for new tanks and they do require lots of light . Refractometer is a tool not use inside the tank. Even though the LR and LS was cycled in another tank and placed in a new tank with new water and equipment you may still have to go through a small cycle.