Googs Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 Hello, My name is Matt. Over the weekend I started cycling my first saltwater tank. It is an aquapod 24G with the stock PC lighting, about 20lbs of crushed coral and 25lbs+ of live rock. Let the addiction begin! (clap) Matt ...don't know how to rotate the picture considering this is my first post. Edit: thanks for the tip about pictures. Photobucket is pretty simple! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReefSafari Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 Welcome, Congrats on the new tank!(clap) This is a wonderful place to meet awsome people, Keep us posted as your tank progresses and you start filling it up:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dee77 Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 nice job cant wait to see it stocked Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReeFit Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 rotate your picture before you post it using your computer. if your in windows you can easily rotate it using the image viewing program that comes with windows. Congrats on the new addiction. I recommend putting at least another power head in there for flow and even upgrading the circ pump from the stock one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoobtoSalt Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 Welcome to the forum. Just so you know, you need to plan on upgrading your tank in the next three months.. seems to be the ongoing thing with the addiction...lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emerald525 Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 Welcome to the club Matt! I have some zoas that I would be happy to donate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonH Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 Congrats and welcome to the forum. you might want to consider getting rid of the crushed coral (did someone already mention this). It's a nitrate factory as it traps a lot of decaying food and doesn't allow the same bacterial colonization as sand. Using sand is the standard now, it's readily available and you can get a small amount of live sand to seed yours. It might be easier to transition out now as you're still setting things up and your tank hasn't cycled. Just a suggestion. Welcome and enjoy - it's an addictive hobby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.R Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 Welcome to the forum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dee77 Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 rotate your picture before you post it using your computer. if your in windows you can easily rotate it using the image viewing program that comes with windows. Congrats on the new addiction. I recommend putting at least another power head in there for flow and even upgrading the circ pump from the stock one. this was one of my old tanks and i put a maxi jet 1200 in there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Googs Posted August 23, 2010 Author Share Posted August 23, 2010 I'm digging the flow from the maxi jet that dee77 put in there. It's creating a whirlpool affect and causing a nice shimmering even with the PC bulbs. Another powerhead is in the works. Regarding the crushed coral...my girlfriend's 15G cube has crushed and we have had no issues with any excessive buildups. All nitrite testing comes up 0 and her tank has been running since January/February. But definitely when I go bigger...and it seems inevitable, a #1 or #2 sand for sure. Thanks for the welcome all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dee77 Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 also the picture will show up bigger if you set up a photobucket and then put the url in the message Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReeFit Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 I'm digging the flow from the maxi jet that dee77 put in there. It's creating a whirlpool affect and causing a nice shimmering even with the PC bulbs. Another powerhead is in the works. Regarding the crushed coral...my girlfriend's 15G cube has crushed and we have had no issues with any excessive buildups. All nitrite testing comes up 0 and her tank has been running since January/February. But definitely when I go bigger...and it seems inevitable, a #1 or #2 sand for sure. Thanks for the welcome all! Good deal. Flow is definitely key to reefing. you can have too little or to much. I found my biocube had to little flow even with an upgraded pump and one power head, so i added another power head and its balanced out nice now. I also run crushed coral in my tanks or a mix of #1,2 and crushed. I like the effect it has a very natural look to it that way. plus with a good cleanup crew i never have problems with detritus buildup and i implement this in my 30g all the way up to my 120g and will do so on my 500 i'm putting together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 Welcome!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Googs Posted August 24, 2010 Author Share Posted August 24, 2010 First question as a newbie...when should I do my first water change? And how much water should I change? Or is it completely parameter based... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beckie Posted August 24, 2010 Share Posted August 24, 2010 Welcome to the group. As for the water change? No need to think about that for a while. Did you add anything to start it cycling? Beckie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Googs Posted August 24, 2010 Author Share Posted August 24, 2010 The live rock should be enough to start the cycle. It was from an established tank that just got taken down. I'm going to wait a couple of days and then test to see if there is any ammonia present. If not maybe I'll add a shrimp or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReeFit Posted August 24, 2010 Share Posted August 24, 2010 The live rock should be enough to start the cycle. It was from an established tank that just got taken down. I'm going to wait a couple of days and then test to see if there is any ammonia present. If not maybe I'll add a shrimp or something. start with hermits & snails. shrimp are expensive and also much more prone to water condition problems affecting their health. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReeFit Posted August 24, 2010 Share Posted August 24, 2010 First question as a newbie...when should I do my first water change? And how much water should I change? Or is it completely parameter based... I would start changing the water 2-3 weeks after livestock introduction. Unless your tests are showing high levels of nitrates or other toxins in your tank then i would do small water changes around 5-10% until those levels come down. If you introduce small amounts of livestock slowly then you really don't need to change the water for a good month until something warrants it such as nitrates. once your bio load and coral population pick up then you need to take a systematic approach to your maintenance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Googs Posted August 24, 2010 Author Share Posted August 24, 2010 By shrimp I meant dropping a raw shrimp in the tank to start the ammonia cycle. I know how much those little live shrimp, well at least peppermint shrimp cost! Ugh, molt once then the maroon clown kill them while they are soft. Money pit! No maroons for my tank, as pretty as they are... On a side note I had some Zoa hitchhikers on a piece of live rock I got...all open! Exciting...patience...patience.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdadof2 Posted August 24, 2010 Share Posted August 24, 2010 Let me know when you are ready for some softies, I'd gladly donate some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Algae Posted August 24, 2010 Share Posted August 24, 2010 If the rock came from an established tank you may not need to cycle. Putting a shrimp in the tank may do more harm than good. Check your ammonia, nitrite/nitrate levels before adding the shrimp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Googs Posted August 24, 2010 Author Share Posted August 24, 2010 Couple pics of my girlfriends 15.5G cube I'll probably be fragging my first softies from my girlfriends tank. Here's a few pics of hers. Crazy hairy mushroom is going to take over everything! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePremiumAquarium Posted August 25, 2010 Share Posted August 25, 2010 Looks like you have a good start! Welcome aboard!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stylaster Posted August 25, 2010 Share Posted August 25, 2010 Welcome to the club! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Googs Posted October 15, 2010 Author Share Posted October 15, 2010 Been almost two month...little update on the tank Here's a few shots of my tank after a little less than two months. The birdsnest is usually higher but the @#$@ turbo snail is a bulldozer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.