Day 21 of Cycle (38g AIO Tank)

RKReefTank · 05/29/2013, 10:22 PM

My testing has looked like this:

Date
5/10/13 1.024 440 9 0.25 0 0 79.2
5/17/13 1.024 380 8 0.25 0 0 78.6
5/27/13 1.024 380 9 0.25 0 0 78.7

column 1 - Salinity
column 2 - Calcium
column 3 - Alkalinity
column 4 - Phosphate
column 5 - Nitrate
column 6 - Ammonia
column 7 - Temperature

FYI testing equipment is: Refractometer and API Saltwater Kit

I started with premixed Petco saltwater, using an RODI unit for topoff water. Have 35 lbs of live rock, and about 2'' of live sand at the bottom. Currently there is a little bit of algae growth on the rock, and I only run my lights 2 hours a night (so I can enjoy the empty tank

)

I guess my question is what is my next step? Wait more time? Add a hardy fish? Add a CUC? Wait for which water parameter to change?

alexander_ktn · 05/30/2013, 02:26 AM

You can certainly add a CUC already and if it were my tank I'd probably also add one or two small fish like a blenny or such and start feeding the tank a bit.

RKReefTank · 05/30/2013, 06:33 AM

Ya that's what I was thinking, except I was going to put in one blue damsel as my first fish. Might order it up and see how the tank reacts.

alexander_ktn · 05/30/2013, 07:58 AM

Only add a damsel if you really want one.^^

drej424 · 05/30/2013, 08:05 AM

I'd add a cleanup crew first and some pods. Start getting your stocking list together, so you know which fish you ultimately want in your tank. Then add them one at a time, starting with the least aggressive first. If you want, after the cleanup crew is added, you could add a mushroom or two before adding fish.

Reeferz412 · 05/30/2013, 10:31 AM

no damsel, especially as your first fish. They are territorial and if that is your first tankmate, any other additions are interlopers on the damsels turf. They can be a real pain to catch as well. If you are dead set on adding one, it should be your last addition to the tank.

RKReefTank · 05/30/2013, 07:11 PM

Ah OK no damsels then, ordered my CUC today:

12 Dwarf Blue Hermit Crabs
10 Astrea Turbo Snails
10 Nassarius Snails
10 Mexican Turbo Snails
10 Spiny Star Astrea
1 Caribbean Short Spine Urchin
1 Banded Coral Shrimp

05/29/2013, 10:22 PM	#1
RKReefTank Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 22	Day 21 of Cycle (38g AIO Tank) My testing has looked like this: Date 5/10/13 1.024 440 9 0.25 0 0 79.2 5/17/13 1.024 380 8 0.25 0 0 78.6 5/27/13 1.024 380 9 0.25 0 0 78.7 column 1 - Salinity column 2 - Calcium column 3 - Alkalinity column 4 - Phosphate column 5 - Nitrate column 6 - Ammonia column 7 - Temperature FYI testing equipment is: Refractometer and API Saltwater Kit I started with premixed Petco saltwater, using an RODI unit for topoff water. Have 35 lbs of live rock, and about 2'' of live sand at the bottom. Currently there is a little bit of algae growth on the rock, and I only run my lights 2 hours a night (so I can enjoy the empty tank ) I guess my question is what is my next step? Wait more time? Add a hardy fish? Add a CUC? Wait for which water parameter to change?

05/30/2013, 10:31 AM	#6
Reeferz412 Coral Hoarder Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,247	no damsel, especially as your first fish. They are territorial and if that is your first tankmate, any other additions are interlopers on the damsels turf. They can be a real pain to catch as well. If you are dead set on adding one, it should be your last addition to the tank. __________________ Alex FMAS Member Current Tank Info: 400 Gallons of frags... 30 gallon Deep Blue mixed reef ... 70 other tanks throughout south FL

05/30/2013, 02:26 AM	#2
alexander_ktn Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Austria Posts: 851	You can certainly add a CUC already and if it were my tank I'd probably also add one or two small fish like a blenny or such and start feeding the tank a bit.

05/30/2013, 06:33 AM	#3
RKReefTank Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 22	Ya that's what I was thinking, except I was going to put in one blue damsel as my first fish. Might order it up and see how the tank reacts.

05/30/2013, 07:58 AM	#4
alexander_ktn Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Austria Posts: 851	Only add a damsel if you really want one.^^

05/30/2013, 08:05 AM	#5
drej424 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: LI, NY Posts: 438	I'd add a cleanup crew first and some pods. Start getting your stocking list together, so you know which fish you ultimately want in your tank. Then add them one at a time, starting with the least aggressive first. If you want, after the cleanup crew is added, you could add a mushroom or two before adding fish.

05/30/2013, 07:11 PM	#7
RKReefTank Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 22	Ah OK no damsels then, ordered my CUC today: 12 Dwarf Blue Hermit Crabs 10 Astrea Turbo Snails 10 Nassarius Snails 10 Mexican Turbo Snails 10 Spiny Star Astrea 1 Caribbean Short Spine Urchin 1 Banded Coral Shrimp