Double Checking - Did I Make a Mistake?

BlueOSO · 08/19/2013, 09:41 PM

Hello,
First of all, I have some months' experience with reef aquariums, although I consider myself to be a newbie still, as my previous attempt ended terribly.

I recently set up a 30g tank with the live rock from the previous tank that crashed, and it has been sitting for around a month. Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates all 0. I went to the store today and was originally going to buy some live rock, since I still needed around twice as much for the tank. As it turned out, the university here was done with their saltwater tanks and gave their live rock to the store, and I was able to get $120 of live rock for $20. Furthermore, I asked how long the rock had been in their tanks, and they said around a month and a half. To my knowledge, that meant it needed no further cycling.

Furthermore, (this is the part I am mostly questioning) I originally intended to get a pair of Clownfish once the cycle was done, and there was a pair of Saddlebacks in with a Condy Anemone. From past experience I know that can end badly for the fish, so I got the pair since I originally intended it, and the live rock was already cycled.

Mainly what I am asking is: Did I make a mistake in assuming the rock didn't need cycling and getting the Clownfish? If so, what can I do to prevent these fish from suffering?
Ammonia, Nitrites, and Nitrates are all zero 12 hours later, if that helps.

Thanks a ton in advance!

shifty51008 · 08/20/2013, 01:21 AM

As long as you kept the rock submerged in sw or it wasnt out of the water long you may be fine. I would have some amaqul+ on hand and keep an an eye on ammonia levels still for the next few days though.

FallenMonkey · 08/20/2013, 02:03 AM

I would've waited a week longer just in case but that's just because I'm weird like that and would've wanted to be completely sure, but you should be okay.

Fizz71 · 08/20/2013, 07:12 AM

I agree you should be fine. Short of a major die off of larger organisms on the LR (that would spike ammonia) it shouldn't really matter how "live" it is at this point since you already have SOME LR that was fully cycled. That alone should be able to handle the clowns right? (you didn't say how much you originally had...hence the ?).

And I couldn't find "amaqul" so I think shifty meant the same thing as I was going to suggest....AmQuel.

As long as you know you can get some in a pinch you don't need to buy it, just monitor and be ready. Clowns are pretty hardy.

Vin7250 · 08/20/2013, 08:02 AM

I'd bring those clowns back to the store and ask the owner to hold them for you until your tank is ready. You never know how this LR from the "university" was treated.

Quik Z06 · 08/20/2013, 08:19 AM

I have to agree. We all make hasty decisions and if you don't want to bring it back maybe throw it in a qt tank until its ready. For a clown you wouldn't need much just water and fish. Maybe a PVC pipe to hide in.

Vin7250 · 08/20/2013, 08:36 AM

Im sure the LFS will hold it for you. If they don't you should find another one.

BlueOSO · 08/20/2013, 10:38 AM

Thanks for all the replies! I suppose I will monitor it closely and QT them if I see any spikes in anything. The university has a really nice biology dept. so I assume it wasn't poorly treated. Also, the owner of the LFS got hit by a truck a year ago so all I have is Petco...I doubt they will hold onto the clowns for me.

u00bdl1 · 08/20/2013, 12:20 PM

Just keep a close monitor on the levels, you should be ok.

Spyderturbo007 · 08/20/2013, 01:32 PM

You should be okay, but I'll echo everyone else and say that you should be testing frequently and be ready with something like Prime should you see any Ammonia.

You might also want to pick up a SeaChem Ammonia Alert badge.

08/19/2013, 09:41 PM	#1
BlueOSO Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 11	Double Checking - Did I Make a Mistake? Hello, First of all, I have some months' experience with reef aquariums, although I consider myself to be a newbie still, as my previous attempt ended terribly. I recently set up a 30g tank with the live rock from the previous tank that crashed, and it has been sitting for around a month. Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates all 0. I went to the store today and was originally going to buy some live rock, since I still needed around twice as much for the tank. As it turned out, the university here was done with their saltwater tanks and gave their live rock to the store, and I was able to get $120 of live rock for $20. Furthermore, I asked how long the rock had been in their tanks, and they said around a month and a half. To my knowledge, that meant it needed no further cycling. Furthermore, (this is the part I am mostly questioning) I originally intended to get a pair of Clownfish once the cycle was done, and there was a pair of Saddlebacks in with a Condy Anemone. From past experience I know that can end badly for the fish, so I got the pair since I originally intended it, and the live rock was already cycled. Mainly what I am asking is: Did I make a mistake in assuming the rock didn't need cycling and getting the Clownfish? If so, what can I do to prevent these fish from suffering? Ammonia, Nitrites, and Nitrates are all zero 12 hours later, if that helps. Thanks a ton in advance!

08/20/2013, 01:21 AM	#2
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	As long as you kept the rock submerged in sw or it wasnt out of the water long you may be fine. I would have some amaqul+ on hand and keep an an eye on ammonia levels still for the next few days though. __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

08/20/2013, 07:12 AM	#4
Fizz71 FragSwapper Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Lawn, PA Posts: 5,800	I agree you should be fine. Short of a major die off of larger organisms on the LR (that would spike ammonia) it shouldn't really matter how "live" it is at this point since you already have SOME LR that was fully cycled. That alone should be able to handle the clowns right? (you didn't say how much you originally had...hence the ?). And I couldn't find "amaqul" so I think shifty meant the same thing as I was going to suggest....AmQuel. As long as you know you can get some in a pinch you don't need to buy it, just monitor and be ready. Clowns are pretty hardy. __________________ --Fizz Current Tank Info: Current system is 8x2x2 240g peninsula setup with a single "chamber" 100g sump in the basement with an RDSB. All corals are 100% home grown from frags of fellow reefers (low natural reef impact).

08/20/2013, 02:03 AM	#3
FallenMonkey Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bakersfield Posts: 24	I would've waited a week longer just in case but that's just because I'm weird like that and would've wanted to be completely sure, but you should be okay.

08/20/2013, 08:02 AM	#5
Vin7250 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Connecticut "The Big East" Posts: 1,144	I'd bring those clowns back to the store and ask the owner to hold them for you until your tank is ready. You never know how this LR from the "university" was treated.

08/20/2013, 08:19 AM	#6
Quik Z06 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 62	I have to agree. We all make hasty decisions and if you don't want to bring it back maybe throw it in a qt tank until its ready. For a clown you wouldn't need much just water and fish. Maybe a PVC pipe to hide in.

08/20/2013, 08:36 AM	#7
Vin7250 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Connecticut "The Big East" Posts: 1,144	Im sure the LFS will hold it for you. If they don't you should find another one.

08/20/2013, 10:38 AM	#8
BlueOSO Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 11	Thanks for all the replies! I suppose I will monitor it closely and QT them if I see any spikes in anything. The university has a really nice biology dept. so I assume it wasn't poorly treated. Also, the owner of the LFS got hit by a truck a year ago so all I have is Petco...I doubt they will hold onto the clowns for me.

08/20/2013, 12:20 PM	#9
u00bdl1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Springfield Ohio Posts: 52	Just keep a close monitor on the levels, you should be ok.

08/20/2013, 01:32 PM	#10
Spyderturbo007 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: PA Posts: 2,564	You should be okay, but I'll echo everyone else and say that you should be testing frequently and be ready with something like Prime should you see any Ammonia. You might also want to pick up a SeaChem Ammonia Alert badge.