My First SW tank!!!!

[cj_doede]

I have been getting bugged about this from a few people and I figured I should just make a thread rather than pm all the time... So here it goes.
My setup is a 12 gallon Aquapod with 27w current-usa brand daytime, 27w current-usa actinic and 2 leds. I have a 50w heater. Sump/filter is built into the back of the tank. I have 20lbs of sand from petco (live argonite stuff), around 15lbs of live rock and I also have 10 astrea snails i bought from mary(mtfatwork). Any comments or advice is welcome. I will try to post pics sometime this week hopefully.:biggthumpup:

[cj_doede]

pics
#1 is front view, #2 is left side, #3 is right side, #4 is front with actinics
Help with id on #5, red on #4 is flash(I tried to cover it up, you can kinda see my fingers) though it looks sweet:biggthumpup:

[Hellaenergy]

#5 Snail and Aiptasia?

[cj_doede]

Yea i know the snail:gay1: but the coral thing i was wondering about. there are a few in there. What should i do if its aiptasia?

[RaysReef]

#5 Your first pest *Aptasia*

[cj_doede]

how should get rid of the aptasia??

[Hellaenergy]

Read This: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/aiptasia/aiptasia.htm

[RaysReef]

Options:

-Use Joe's Juice and squirt it *syringe included* LFS should carry them
-Mix your own Kalk with R/O water *need syringe*
-Scrap it off yourself
-Add a peppermint shrimp

[cj_doede]

thanks for the site, anyone got some hermit crabs or pepperment shrimp?? looks like they will work and i can take them out easier than chemicals:micro:

[Mike Bennett]

Stop by a LFS and pick up a single peppermint shrimp ($3-$6 usually). I have 4 in my nano and they've kept it clean from aptasia (1 would have done the trick, 4 is kinda overkill IMO but they were ON SALE! so I just had to)

[Bubbles]

Being new in SW as well - I found that digging them out is the best thing. The chemicals stink - if you don't get it in there just right the aspista releases all kinds of eggs so you'll be sure to grow more (lucky :mad:)

Li at SWE sold me a very nice tool for scrapping the lil SOB's outta there. It works great. In fact, my son has one of those suckers in a jar for "show and tell" at school. The scrappy thing took it right off, foot and all.

Just my 2cents.

Oh and I have hermits... they don't mess with it at all.

[RaysReef]

If your tank is just setup, I'd wait a little bit before adding a peppermint.

[cj_doede]

Ok, well the bad part is its stuck in a pore in the rock. The best thing i could do is cut off the top of it because it retracts whenever i touch it. Good news is there can be something done about it. I just havent figured out which option would be best.

[Mike Bennett]

BTW if the aptasia are just to big the pepps won't touch them. If they're small they'll be a good snack.

[cj_doede]

yea its only like the size of a quarter on the big one the little one is like a dime or smaller when they open up.

[Hellaenergy]

yea its only like the size of a quarter on the big one the little one is like a dime or smaller when they open up.

Take the rock out and scrub it with an old tooth brush.

[cj_doede]

stuck in a pore in the rock

it retracts whenever i touch it

Otherwise i would just Take the rock out and scrub it with an old tooth brush.

thanks for the advice though i might try it eventually:biggthumpup:

[Hellaenergy]

Otherwise i would just

thanks for the advice though i might try it eventually:biggthumpup:

Take the rock out and throw some kalk paste in the pore(s).

[cj_doede]

what do you mean by kalk, like plumbing kalk?? or somekind of aquarium kalk?

[RaysReef]

kalkwasser

[cj_doede]

yea you guys need to remember im a noobie;)

[Mike Bennett]

A lot of us are ;)

Besides your sig reminds everyone.

[cj_doede]

Besides your sig reminds everyone.haha yea:biggthumpup:

[Hellaenergy]

what do you mean by kalk, like plumbing kalk?? or somekind of aquarium kalk?

Kalkwasser (http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/calciumcare/a/aa012698addkw.htm). Actually I meant kalk paste (http://www.3reef.com/forums/asap/how-do-you-make-kalk-paste-52693.html). Some say boiling water and a turkey baster works too.

[cj_doede]

ok cool where can i get the kalk paste stuff at?

[Matt D.]

what do you mean by kalk, like plumbing kalk?? or somekind of aquarium kalk?
Kalk, not caulk. :)

[cj_doede]

Kalk, not caulk. yea i realize that mistake now whoops:gay1:

[cj_doede]

going to bed...school tommorow:mad:

[Hellaenergy]

Just go to your LFS. They'll help you out.

Also, don't forget that Google is a good resource for information as well. I think you have a good starting point now to gather the information you need from there :biggthumpup:

[cj_doede]

Ok ill try to get down to all-reef soon. Until then keep the suggestions coming.:biggthumpup:

[hypertech]

Unless your LFS is SWE, do NOT go buy kalk from the LFS. It is stupid expensive there.

SWE and BRS carry it in bulk sizes at good prices. If you only need a little, you can go to WalMart or Fleet Farm and look for Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime. Its the exact same stuff and lots cheaper.

[REEFSTOCK]

Take rock out. Press button on blow torch. rinse rock. relax.



no not kidding.

[cj_doede]

Take rock out. Press button on blow torch. rinse rock. relax.



no not kidding.

I have a blow torch if this is a legitimate option, would the rock stay live if i did this only to kill the 2 polyps of aptasia?

[lr9788]

Looks good so far
Are those submersible LED's?
unique look

[cj_doede]

Thanks. I really like the way the aquascaping looks right now. The LED are actually built into the lid where the other lights are. They have a switch on the top just like the daytime and actinics:biggthumpup:

[lr9788]

I just opened the picture and saw that the red is from your finger covering the flash...i thought you had red LEDs

[cj_doede]

Oh no I wish that there was an LED like that in there.:biggthumpup:

[Bigdragons]

If he only has two of them ,will just turning over the rock and bury them work to kill them?:lots:

[Mike Bennett]

So random comment, but I'm almost certain that's not an Eclipse 12 aquarium.

[cj_doede]

Really?!? I'm pretty sure it is. What do you think it is?

[cj_doede]

Yea your right it's an aquapod!:gay1: My mistake!!

[Mike Bennett]

Glad I could help ;)

[cj_doede]

Haha yea thanks for that clarification.:beerchug:

[Gemman]

If you don't have any corals on your rocks yet I'd avoid the whole pest problem all together and take the rocks out, let them dry and start fresh. It will set you back a little in your cycle but be well worth it not to have any future problems.

[cj_doede]

Next question after i remove the aiptasia problem. Clean up crew:biggthumpup:. I already have 10 astrea snails, any other suggestions??

[this1fish]

hermit crabs would be a good edition..... some people love em, some people hate em....

[cj_doede]

Yea i have heard that there destructive. Any comments???

[twincitiesreefer]

if you could take the rock out,I would bury them alive with some two part marine safe epoxy puddy

I have 6 peps in my 155 and i am appatasia free,majono is another story

[cj_doede]

yea i could take it out, but then i would ruin my aquascaping:mad:

[lr9788]

I say listen to those that have made mistakes before you....
Better to take things REALLY slow then to get excited and end up with really expensive problems that take months to get rid of

[RaysReef]

I say listen to those that have made mistakes before you....
Better to take things REALLY slow then to get excited and end up with really expensive problems that take months to get rid of

:biggthumpup: All anyone can do is give suggestions and advice. What you do with it is up to u. We try to avoid that phrase "I told you so"

[Mike Bennett]

I've re-aquascaped many times, its easier to do when you don't have fish nipping at you ;)

[twincitiesreefer]

belive me and the others,It wont be the last time you reaquascape ure tank.....Just ask angie:gay1:

[acharpenter]

belive me and the others,It wont be the last time you reaquascape ure tank.....Just ask angie:gay1:

HA - I am on the 10th (or more) aquascape "re-do" so far and I just set up my tank last March.......BTW - I plan to re-do it again on Wednesday............LOL :gay1::gay1:

[cj_doede]

Ha ok so the plan is to take the rock with aiptasia out and basically just dry it out? And then reaquascape?

[hypertech]

If there is one, 99% sure there are others. They are just something to be dealt with. My preferred method is the tropic marin killer. It seems to work better than other ways.

[cj_doede]

Is that a fish? My tank isn't ready for one of those yet:lots::beerchug:

[hypertech]

No, its not a fish. Its a chemical you inject into their mouth and it kills them.

[cj_doede]

oh ok. Where can i get some and what are some prices??

[hypertech]

Its like $15 and you can get it at an LFS. I don't know if all reef carries tropic marin or not. Discovery Aquatics does.

Other brands make similar products but my preference is this stuff. I've had the best luck with it.

[cj_doede]

ok cool i will look into that option:biggthumpup:

[cj_doede]

Ok these is my first test results from Sunday.

Temp: 81
Salinity: 1.0215
pH: 8.2
NH4/NH3: 0.25ppm
NO2: 0ppm
NO3: 15ppm

[cj_doede]

And now tonights results:

Temp: 79
Salinity: 1.024
pH: 8.3-8.4
NH4/NH3: 0.25-0.10ppm
NO2: 0ppm
NO3: 10ppm

*I dropped temp to conserve energy, I dont have any fish in there right now so I figured it was ok.
*I also added a little bit higher concentration of water during my water change to make the salinity go up. It was only like 1.028 and a 1 gallon water change.

Does anyone think its ok to add anything(fish/corals) yet?

[Brent]

Aptasia-X from Saltwater Empire. Couple little drops and its dead forever.

[cj_doede]

Aptasia-X from Saltwater Empire. Couple little drops and its dead forever.



How much is that?

[lr9788]

try google man

[cj_doede]

try google man

Whoops probably should have tried that first. My bad!

[hypertech]

Or pick up the phone and call SWE. I'm not sure about aiptasia-x but this stuff is all about $10-15. I think its time just to go to the store and buy something. I've never seen so many posts about how to buy aiptasia stuff before.

[cj_doede]

I stopped posting, brent brought it up:gay1:, stop blaming me!:biggthumpup:

[cj_doede]

ok now tonights results
temp 79
salinity 1.023
ph 8.2
no2 0ppm
no3 10-5 ppm
nh3/nh4 >.25ppm

ok is my tank still cycling or why is my ammonium still high?

[Fb Joe]

ok now tonights results
temp 79
salinity 1.023
ph 8.2
no2 0ppm
no3 10/5 ppm
nh3/nh4 >.25ppm

ok is my tank still cycling or why is my ammonium still high?
its still cycling. do you feed it?
also wouldn't be good adding fish or corals anytime soon. especially the salinity changing so much. Wait till everything stays stable, no ammonia nitrite. then change some water, and then worry about salinity and such :D
corals, fish later. probably a lot later than you want

[cj_doede]

its still cycling. do you feed it?
also wouldn't be good adding fish or corals anytime soon. especially the salinity changing so much. Wait till everything stays stable, no ammonia nitrite. then change some water, and then worry about salinity and such :D
corals, fish later. probably a lot later than you want

how much longer?

[Fb Joe]

Well it depends on the tank really. That and SW experience. A new sterile tank with new sand and live rock could take a while. I seed my new setups with water and sand, rocks and such from an established system. My cycling times are quick.
If you wanna speed up the process, look to see if there's any reefers by you that can get you rocks sand and water to give you more bacteria. They have to be close though, bacteria could die off on even a short trip.

[cj_doede]

I got live rock from mary(mtfatwork) and the live argonite sand from petco. I thought that would be enough to get it cycling fast. They also have the straight up bacteria i can buy at petco.

[Fb Joe]

Hmm well then the rest should be just waiting. salinity/ph/temp changes will kill off some of what is "live" in the rocks and sand, so get them stable, and the creepy crawlies and bacteria should get rocking. Wont have to wait more after that. but definately no fish or corals till you have zero ammonia or nitrite, and preferably after it stays at zero for a while

[cj_doede]

Ok I just checked and I think I see a dead snail, could that be the cause of my problems? or is it bigger than that?

[Fb Joe]

bigger. snails have a tiny amount of mass to decomp, if he's even dead.
you said you have astreas? if theyre on they're backs, its because they cant flip themselves over, not dead.

[cj_doede]

no its right side up and not moving at all i checked and its either empty or emptying of matter. I cant think of anything else that would be raising the ammonia that much.

[Fb Joe]

he could be hiding all the way up in his shell... or you have a hermit crab.
something else is giving you ammonia. He's far too small to make a dent.
You have good circulation in the tank? A good prop/powerhead/return give extra flow and oxygen to bacteria and other microorganisms

[cj_doede]

yea i have good flow, my tank has tons of little critters about 1mm big al around the sand bed and along my tank wall.

[Fb Joe]

got pics?

[cj_doede]

I cant i have a crappy camera

[hypertech]

I think you are starting to learn your first lesson for not waiting till your tank cycles.

Here is how it often goes:

1. Get new tank
2. Wait a week because you know you are supposed to wait but you don't have tests, didn't do them, or didn't wait till they were zero.
3. Add snails and other stuff
4. Cycle starts and ammonia begins to rise
5. Snails and other stuff start dying from elevated ammonia - ammonia goes even higher and cycle basically starts over
6. Perplexed and impatient, you start dumping magic bottle cures and supposed instant bacteria problem solvers in tank
7. Chemistry goes totally out of whack
8. You quit from being unsuccessful or you finally decide to be patient and let your tank establish itself

So, you are somewhere around step 7 or 8. The best way to cycle a tank is to leave it alone (no water changes no nothing) until it is done cycling. But, since you have livestock, you are going to have to do water changes to keep the levels down to where they won't kill what is in there.

Don't buy any magic cures in a bottle and certainly don't buy any more inverts, fish, and especially corals for a couple more weeks. Wait until your ammonia and nitrite are both reading zero for a good week or two. Then consider adding a fish or something.

[Mike Bennett]

I think you are starting to learn your first lesson for not waiting till your tank cycles.

Here is how it often goes:

1. Get new tank
2. Wait a week because you know you are supposed to wait but you don't have tests, didn't do them, or didn't wait till they were zero.
3. Add snails and other stuff
4. Cycle starts and ammonia begins to rise
5. Snails and other stuff start dying from elevated ammonia - ammonia goes even higher and cycle basically starts over
6. Perplexed and impatient, you start dumping magic bottle cures and supposed instant bacteria problem solvers in tank
7. Chemistry goes totally out of whack
8. You quit from being unsuccessful or you finally decide to be patient and let your tank establish itself

So, you are somewhere around step 7 or 8. The best way to cycle a tank is to leave it alone (no water changes no nothing) until it is done cycling. But, since you have livestock, you are going to have to do water changes to keep the levels down to where they won't kill what is in there.

Don't buy any magic cures in a bottle and certainly don't buy any more inverts, fish, and especially corals for a couple more weeks. Wait until your ammonia and nitrite are both reading zero for a good week or two. Then consider adding a fish or something.

The man's right. :agree:

[wireefman]

cj i know your young and i know when u go into sf or wof hell any other fish store that has a display tank and you get excited at the possibility that what u see..... but u need to stop right now and ask yourself... do u want this tank to sucseed.. if so please please please listen to the advice given.... stop feeding your problem and fix it... do not add anything to your tank for atleast a month... i know its ubearable waiting but it is so important... sw tanks are all about chemisty and maintaing the right chemistry.... they are alot more than plug n play.... (as you are finding out) so do daily small waterchanges and wait this cycle out... trust us... if you do this this tank will bring you alot of happiness... if you dont u will continue to has stuff die and eventually quit, and not enjoy the happiness these tank bring us

[David Grigor]

Ok I just checked and I think I see a dead snail, could that be the cause of my problems? or is it bigger than that?

It's an effect not the cause. The cause is ammonia/nitrites are still present.

[Matt D.]

CJ, from one noob to another I can't stress how much patience you need to have right now. My tank is on its 5th day with water, sand and rock in it. The rock is old live rock that dried out, but the material that was on there is now decaying and creating ammonia. I have 40lbs of live sand and 40lbs of dry sand to help with things as well. Having said that, I am not expecting to put anything in the tank for as much as 2 to 4 weeks, but only time will tell. I'll keep doing my daily tests and logging them in my notebook. Again, be patient. If that fact is tough for you to live with then you may want to reconsider what you expect out of this hobby before you become more disappointed and frustrated. Be patient and you will reap the rewards of this hobby.

[hypertech]

CJ, from one noob to another I can't stress how much patience you need to have right now. My tank is on its 5th day with water, sand and rock in it. The rock is old live rock that dried out, but the material that was on there is now decaying and creating ammonia. I have 40lbs of live sand and 40lbs of dry sand to help with things as well. Having said that, I am not expecting to put anything in the tank for as much as 2 to 4 weeks, but only time will tell. I'll keep doing my daily tests and logging them in my notebook. Again, be patient. If that fact is tough for you to live with then you may want to reconsider what you expect out of this hobby before you become more disappointed and frustrated. Be patient and you will reap the rewards of this hobby.

If I were you, I would pull that rock out, give it an acid bath, and then put it back in. Your cycle is likely going to be a lot longer than 2-4 weeks if there is a bunch of dead stuff that needs to decay and other nutrients bound in the rock. The acid bath will speed up your cycle significantly.

[cj_doede]

I think you are starting to learn your first lesson for not waiting till your tank cycles.

Here is how it often goes:

1. Get new tank
2. Wait a week because you know you are supposed to wait but you don't have tests, didn't do them, or didn't wait till they were zero.
3. Add snails and other stuff
4. Cycle starts and ammonia begins to rise
5. Snails and other stuff start dying from elevated ammonia - ammonia goes even higher and cycle basically starts over
6. Perplexed and impatient, you start dumping magic bottle cures and supposed instant bacteria problem solvers in tank
7. Chemistry goes totally out of whack
8. You quit from being unsuccessful or you finally decide to be patient and let your tank establish itself

So, you are somewhere around step 7 or 8. The best way to cycle a tank is to leave it alone (no water changes no nothing) until it is done cycling. But, since you have livestock, you are going to have to do water changes to keep the levels down to where they won't kill what is in there.

Don't buy any magic cures in a bottle and certainly don't buy any more inverts, fish, and especially corals for a couple more weeks. Wait until your ammonia and nitrite are both reading zero for a good week or two. Then consider adding a fish or something.

Ok thanks for that info. I havent dumped anything into my tank other than new saltwater but other than that I am right inbetween #7 and 8(the good side)

Right now my only livestock is some snails. It was 3 bucks for the ten of them so should i just stop waterchanges and let the tank cycle(possibly killing them)? Also do you think it would be best to acid bath my rock, or just leave it at this point. I would really rather not go through the whole acid bathing process but if needed I will do it.

Anyhow thanks for all the support and information, its been a big help in keeping me from buying things. I will continue to test and post my results and only time will tell when my tank is ready. Any other info/comments/etc is welcome.

[hypertech]

I don't know what the magic number is for ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate to kill a snail.

At this point, just leave it be. I don't think I would pull the rock out and wash it. Just let it be until all your numbers come inline.

Remember, you don't need snails if there is nothing for them to eat, so even if your numbers are good, don't rush off and buy a bunch of snails if you don't really need them.

[cj_doede]

Yea with what your saying I will probably not do the group buy this week, maybe in the future:beerchug:. The snails i have now are eating some of the algae on the rock and walls but not all of it, thats the only reason why i was going to get more.

[hypertech]

Are you feeding the tank? If so, stop. Shut off the lights too. You don't need them while cycling and it will slow the algae growth.

Somehow you are getting phosphates and nutrients in there - that or they are in the rock.

[cj_doede]

Ok ill turn off the lights, also what do you mean be "feeding the tank"?

[hypertech]

feeding the tank - english for putting food in the tank

[cj_doede]

Oh ok, nope. I just thought that you meant something else in reeftalk:beerchug:

Nothing has gone in since the rock about 3 weeks ago. I havent put in any chemicals either. Im just wondering why its taking so long to cycle!!!

[cj_doede]

Ok i just turned off my lights, now we play the waiting game:biggthumpup:

[cj_doede]

OMG ITS A MIRACLE!!!!!!!
My ammonia and nitrate are down to 0.0 YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY:beerchug:
My test results from today are:
Ph 8.2
temp 80
salinity 1.023
no2 0ppm
no3 0 ppm
nh3/nh4 0ppm

So now that my tank is offically done with its first cycle, is it ok to add corals/fish???

[Fb Joe]

OMG ITS A MIRACLE!!!!!!!
My ammonia and nitrate are down to 0.0 YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY:beerchug:
My test results from today are:
Ph 8.2
temp 80
salinity 1.023
no2 0ppm
no3 0 ppm
nh3/nh4 0ppm

So now that my tank is offically done with its first cycle, is it ok to add corals/fish???
no its not. once it is stabilized for a while, ask us again.
why risk a cheap wild caught fish or coral's life because you dont want to wait?

[acharpenter]

Give it a week or 2 Conner, your on the right path dude - little more time and patience and your gold!

[cj_doede]

Give it a week or 2 Conner, your on the right path dude - little more time and patience and your gold!

YAY, ok I have waited this long. I can wait a little longer:beerchug:

[wireefman]

YAY, ok I have waited this long. I can wait a little longer:beerchug:

sigh... i hope u listen to what it is your saying..... tell ya what... if u can wait to add ANYTHING until im done with my stand and canopy.... it will be a couple weeks.... we can meet up at the store in stillwater and ill buy u a ricordia frag or a leather frag.... sound good?

[brendondreher]

sigh... i hope u listen to what it is your saying..... tell ya what... if u can wait to add ANYTHING until im done with my stand and canopy.... it will be a couple weeks.... we can meet up at the store in stillwater and ill buy u a ricordia frag or a leather frag.... sound good?

and what do you get when he doesn't wait?

[wireefman]

his fishtank

[cj_doede]

sigh... i hope u listen to what it is your saying..... tell ya what... if u can wait to add ANYTHING until im done with my stand and canopy.... it will be a couple weeks.... we can meet up at the store in stillwater and ill buy u a ricordia frag or a leather frag.... sound good?

Offer declined. Though it sound very tempting I don't want to make you spend your money. I will make a guarantee that I will not put anything in there untill christmas is over or even later.

[wireefman]

xmas is in like 6 days..... dood seriously u need to wait a few WEEKS not days

[cj_doede]

Ok then jan 1

[wireefman]

i give up.....

[brendondreher]

:ac39:

[wireefman]

i dont understand why you wont listen to ANYONE on here.... i said weeks not week........... WHY do u insist on rushing this.....

[RedHeckle]

It'll just take time and patience. I'm on day 7 of cycling on my first saltwater tank.

At least one rock has 2 tiny featherdusters on it!:gay1: Yeah, I stare at rocks and watch the sump work.

Like everyone's stated, take this time to research and get a "feel" for your tank. On mine, I'm tracking how much water evaporates per day (currently around 1 to 1.5g/day) and how quickly the skim cup fills up. All this will come in handy when you go on vacation and need to set up an ATO and/or provide direction to whoever tank sits (I'm working on a "what to do list" for the care taker).

Believe me I know how hard it is to stare at a tank with just sand and rock (I do dig it though, the bio-geek in me); but you don't want to throw money down the drain.

Good luck!

-Glenn

[cj_doede]

Yes I know but I'm pretty sure 3 weeks of cycling is unusual for my size tank. Idk I just feel like it's ready.

[lr9788]

Hate to say it but you are wrong on this one
Cycling usually averages 6 weeks atleast thats my understanding

[RaysReef]

Yes I know but I'm pretty sure 3 weeks of cycling is unusual for my size tank. Idk I just feel like it's ready.

How does it "FEEL" when its ready? Simma down...This is your first saltwater setup, do it right the first time. Doesn't matter what size tank you got cycling takes 6-8+ weeks. Do routine test, every 2-3 days.

[wireefman]

Yes I know but I'm pretty sure 3 weeks of cycling is unusual for my size tank. Idk I just feel like it's ready.

thats the thing u need to understand.... you cant say that because your tank is this size its going to tank this long.... you just said today your numbers were in line.... so if you have read anything that has been told to you, u would know u do a wc and u let the tank sit for another couple weeks... this has been told to every single new reefer..... 90% dont listen and they go thru dead fish after dead fish after dead fish until they quit... we want you to be able to enjoy your tank... so please listen to us.... wait at least 2 weeks and to be safe wait 3 weeks... then u can add something.. NOT SOMETHINGS but something

[RedHeckle]

IME, in 15 years of having a planted freshwater discus tank and attempting to bred them and German Blue Rams; plus the reading I've done for reefing; the only thing "...it feels right.." will give you is anger, frustration, and wasted money, not to mention dead fish and corals.

This is one of those hobbies where important variables can actually be measured and there's enough data out there showing acceptable parameters for a successful reef.

Pls, take your time!

[cj_doede]

Idk it just does.

[brendondreher]

I waited OVER 2 months almost 3 to add anything to my 10g tank. I didnt even have any aiptasia to watch just a few feather dusters. Chill out man.

[cj_doede]

So from what I'm hearing is that I should wait another 3-4 weeks then possibly add something? Correct? I am willing to do this seeing as I have waited this long. I will keep everone up to date with my parameters and such. Does that sound like a good plan?

[wireefman]

thats the only plan you should be on...

[RedHeckle]

So from what I'm hearing is that I should wait another 3-4 weeks then possibly add something? Correct? I am willing to do this seeing as I have waited this long. I will keep everone up to date with my parameters and such. Does that sound like a good plan?

I'd wait at least that long and then do another full bank of tests; actually, I'd probably do full tests each week to again track the tank's progression.

[Fb Joe]

and dont forget to monitor and check to make sure there's no aiptasia after that

[cj_doede]

Ok cool.

[wireefman]

So from what I'm hearing is that I should wait another 3-4 weeks then possibly add something? Correct? I am willing to do this seeing as I have waited this long. I will keep everone up to date with my parameters and such. Does that sound like a good plan?

u adding anything to the tank anytime soon?:mad_3::mad_3:

:micro:

[lizmomdad]

It's easy to get impatient, the best thing is to wait, wait, wait until your water is good. take your time buddy!

[Mike Bennett]

Just wondering what happens when your snails come next week? Are you going to throw them in your tank?:gay1:

[cj_doede]

Yea I figured I few snails wouldn't hurt. I'm still going to wait on fish/corals though.

[wireefman]

Yea I figured I few snails wouldn't hurt. I'm still going to wait on fish/corals though.

theres a reason people wait even on a cuc until the tank is stable.....

[cj_doede]

theres a reason people wait even on a cuc until the tank is stable.....

Really? I thought that cuc wouldn't be a problem. Interesting......

[wireefman]

trates tries and amonia effect all creatures in the aquarium.... i just want your cycle to be over so u can enjoy your tank.... im guessing they will be fine but just take it slooooooowwwww

[hypertech]

At this point, you are waiting an extra week or two to make sure the tests were right (and consistently test zero) and for a little extra insurance.

From here, make sure you add things slowly. Fish and uneaten food make ammonia which needs to be processed by the bacteria colonies in the tank. Right now, the tank is in balance for no fish. When you add a fish, it goes out of balance and needs time for the bacteria colonies to grow to the right size to balance with that new load. If you add things too fast, you will overwhelm the bacteria (your main filtration) and it will cycle all over again possibly killing your livestock in he process.

So, once you have good levels for a week or two, be sure to make your additions slowly.

[cj_doede]

Ok cool, because I probably wont get these untill the 23 or later(depending on my pickup arrangements w/Angie) I think they will be fine, as long as my tank continues to be stable untill then.
I will still continue to take it slow after that and keep everyone updated with the tank so I know if I am doing everything right.

[cj_doede]

At this point, you are waiting an extra week or two to make sure the tests were right (and consistently test zero) and for a little extra insurance.

From here, make sure you add things slowly. Fish and uneaten food make ammonia which needs to be processed by the bacteria colonies in the tank. Right now, the tank is in balance for no fish. When you add a fish, it goes out of balance and needs time for the bacteria colonies to grow to the right size to balance with that new load. If you add things too fast, you will overwhelm the bacteria (your main filtration) and it will cycle all over again possibly killing your livestock in he process.

So, once you have good levels for a week or two, be sure to make your additions slowly.


I will definitely remember this for the future. Good info:beerchug:

[acharpenter]

Really? I thought that cuc wouldn't be a problem. Interesting......

You have already experianced that CUC's die due to rushing in this very thread. You have already had snails die in your tank and the club told you it was because your tank was not ready.

This shows that you either dont listen or dont care about the creatures you are endangering.

Conner - watch your parms and keep posting them from now until the order day. Lets see where you are at on the 27th and go from there

Trust me when I say that I will not be a part of your aquiring anything that may die due to your impatience, lack of knowledge or not heeding advice from others much more educated in the hobby than yourself.

[wireefman]

Trust me when I say that I will not be a part of your aquiring anything that may die due to your impatience, lack of knowledge or not heeding advice from others much more educated in the hobby than yourself.

best damn thing said in this thread.....

[Fb Joe]

Yes thank you so much angie. your good with words (online at least) :gay1:

[brendondreher]

this thread should be a sticky

[cj_doede]

You have already experianced that CUC's die due to rushing in this very thread. You have already had snails die in your tank and the club told you it was because your tank was not ready.

This shows that you either dont listen or dont care about the creatures you are endangering.

Conner - watch your parms and keep posting them from now until the order day. Lets see where you are at on the 27th and go from there

Trust me when I say that I will not be a part of your aquiring anything that may die due to your impatience, lack of knowledge or not heeding advice from others much more educated in the hobby than yourself.

Ok cool, sounds like a plan. I'll continue to post my params untill then and everyone can decide if I'm ready or not.

[Fb Joe]

this thread should be a sticky

lol i agree, but only if they cut out the middle few pages

[brendondreher]

nope, keep it all.

[wireefman]

Ok cool, sounds like a plan. I'll continue to post my params untill then and everyone can decide if I'm ready or not.

ive head that you were going to post your parameters for the past 3 days... u still have yet to do so

[cj_doede]

I have been busy this weekend but I did post Friday didn't I?? I will definitely post tommorrow though.

[cj_doede]

this thread should be a sticky


Yea sure let's pick on the noobie a little more then.

[Fb Joe]

Yea sure let's pick on the noobie a little more then.

he wasn't "picking" on you. just stating that this thread would be good for people new to saltwater to read, so they don't all go through this like you did. Besides, you lost one CUC, and Angie just saved the other, we wouldnt want another "noob" to kill off fish and invertebrates to impatience.

[cj_doede]

Ok yea. But it was 1 snail and the others seem to be living just fine. It could have been old age for all we know. I'm not trying to fight anyone about this but yea it's not like we can do csi stuff on it.

[brendondreher]

Yea sure let's pick on the noobie a little more then.

I'm not picking on you. But everyone keeps giving you same advise over and over and over but you dont seem to get anything out of it. You really should be researching as much as you possibly can and even REreading things then come back here and ask questions if you dont understand something.

I really do wish you the best and will help when I can.

[acharpenter]

Yea sure let's pick on the noobie a little more then.

This is not "picking on the noobie" - this is the club posting appropriatly in response to you, with past knowledge of how you are handling this hobby.

In all honesty - thus far, in my opinion - completely wrong

We have chatted quite a bit off the forums and you have been given all the tools and advice you need to get this right yet you still choose not to.

You need to accept responsibility here - everyone here is about sustaining, caring for and keeping these awesome creatures....

Thus far, you have only shown that though you seek advice and knowledge - you do not heed it - and that in itself shows your lack of respect and love for the creatures.

You told me you wanted to do things right - you have yet to show that you will

Harsh words, yes, needed, I think yes.

You need to slow down and listen - or find a different hobby that does not endanger living animals

[Fb Joe]

"The complexity of internal anatomy in snails is one major reason why some of the Trochoideans seem to die easily, or otherwise not live through their full life spans in our tanks. Although most folks probably never give it a second thought, snails have a complex internal morphology. In many ways, the internal structures that the snails possess have allowed them to be very successful. It is not, however, a particularly "rugged" morphology when subjected to some specific stresses. Snail tissues often seem to be composed of thin layers of tissue that are very filmy and diaphanous. Consequently, they often suffer significant damage during water changes or during transport from a dealer's to an aquarist's tank. The circulatory system of snails may be very complex (Figure 5), and many of its vessels and channels can rupture under stresses caused by changes in salinity. The vessels in the kidney are numerous and delicate, and may rupture if the animal is not slowly acclimated when being moved from one set of water conditions to another. If the acclimation is too fast, the animal will die in a few minutes to a few weeks. If the snails are drip acclimated, the acclimation time may need to be on the order of five to ten hours for maximal survival."
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rs/index.php

Pretty sure its closer to that than "old age"

[wireefman]

and im not picking on you either, i may come acorss alittle harsh but thats because (as the others have stated) you are letting everything in one ear and out the other.... u are hearing what we say but you are not listening to what we are saying

[cj_doede]

And now todays results.
Salinity= 1.024
Temp= 82
pH= 8.2
NH4/NH3= >.05ppm
NO3= > 5ppm
NO2= 0ppm

Still looking pretty good I think. The color tests are so close, its hard to tell exactly what they are so I guestimate on the ones with > symbol.

[lr9788]

Sure you are ready for the clownfish?
I would hate to see you lose some nice fish because your tank is not totally done cycling

[cj_doede]

No dude i said that I would wait untill my tank is ready:beerchug:. Also it totally just depends on the first guy not picking up or not. But I totally said that it would depend on my tank being ready so I will let everyone make the executive decision on that when/if the time comes.

[hypertech]

Your cycle is not done. your last measurement of all zeros must have been a testing error. Those number are more what you would expect. Progressing, but not done.

[cj_doede]

Ok cool. ALMOST DONE!!!! yay:beerchug:

[hypertech]

No, stop being so impatient. :mad:

It is progressing. It could be done in a week - it could be done in three. You don't know till it is done and the numbers stay at zero for a week or two.

[brendondreher]

Progressing, but not done.

ALMOST DONE!!!!


:rotflmao:

sticky!

[cj_doede]

No, stop being so impatient. :mad:

It is progressing. It could be done in a week - it could be done in three. You don't know till it is done and the numbers stay at zero for a week or two.

OK cool , but IMO thats progress:beerchug:

[wireefman]

:brick1::brick1::brick1::brick::brick::brick::bric k::censor::censor::hammerhead::hammerhead::help1:: help1::boo::boo:

[wireefman]

seriously tho, i had cherry coke go flying out my nose when i read that.... so i will repeat....... SLOW DOWN!!!!!!!!!!

[cj_doede]

seriously tho, i had cherry coke go flying out my nose when i read that.... so i will repeat....... SLOW DOWN!!!!!!!!!!

that's funny:gay1: I will slow down

[Fb Joe]

please dont offer to buy fish from people if your tank isnt cycled, cause we all know that if the first buyer falls through, your not waiting to hear from us to get it. so leave the sellers alone, and once its done cycling, then you can look.

[acharpenter]

please dont offer to buy fish from people if your tank isnt cycled, cause we all know that if the first buyer falls through, your not waiting to hear from us to get it. so leave the sellers alone, and once its done cycling, then you can look.

+1 - totally agree

[cj_doede]

ok ill stop bieng a backup plan:gay1:

[hypertech]

In case you didn't get the hint, I think this:

+1 - totally agree

Is nice mod speak for "We've told you this dozens of times, so knock it off already."

[cj_doede]

yea i know

[brendondreher]

Doubtful

[wireefman]

you should know by now.... question is will you listen to us yet....

[boxfish88]

Patience is your best friend in this hobby. Everyone here knows the feelings you are having and how hard it is to resist the temptation to stock up on good deals. There will be good deals to be had when your tank is all set.

[cj_doede]

Patience is your best friend in this hobby. Everyone here knows the feelings you are having and how hard it is to resist the temptation to stock up on good deals. There will be good deals to be had when your tank is all set.

Yea i know... but it so hard waiting!!!!!!!!!!!!:micro:

[wireefman]

i find the planning just as fun as the set up..... and once it turns out just how u want it, that much more enjoyable

[cj_doede]

Yea that would be sweet having it be exactly like I want...with no problems:gay1:



Hey no way this is post # 500 for me woohooo :beerchug:

[hypertech]

Congratulations. You and Merkurfan have higher posts per day than I do. That makes you two bigger post whores than me :cool:

[cj_doede]

Congratulations. You and Merkurfan have higher posts per day than I do. That makes you two bigger post whores than me :cool:

Hey thats not nice:gay1:

Im guessing 75% of my posts are in thread:biggthumpup:

[wireefman]

Yea that would be sweet having it be exactly like I want...with no problems:gay1:



THEN LISTEN TO US!!!!!!!!:mad:

[cj_doede]

THEN LISTEN TO US!!!!!!!!:mad:

I have thusfar....basically, kinda, somewhat......

[lr9788]

Or not at all...
just saying

[WelderInWi]

lol:gay1:

[hypertech]

Or not at all...
just saying
:greenguy:

[wireefman]

I have thusfar....basically, kinda, somewhat......

okay.... after this comment i wipe my hands clean of u... u are in no position to even joke aound.... by doin so u are spitting in the faces of thoes who have tried to help u, and i for one am insulted....... u obviously have no care or concern for any creatures that we are privlaged to house... do u not understand this isnt some neat hobby..... these creatures depend on us to provide for them the same habitat they come from....

[cj_doede]

okay.... after this comment i wipe my hands clean of u... u are in no position to even joke aound.... by doin so u are spitting in the faces of thoes who have tried to help u, and i for one am insulted....... u obviously have no care or concern for any creatures that we are privlaged to house... do u not understand this isnt some neat hobby..... these creatures depend on us to provide for them the same habitat they come from.... if u are unwilling to take it seriously.... (figure this acronym out) gfy.... because the living organisms deserve better than a damn death trap

Ok dude chill, im not trying to piss anyone off or be a jerk to them. That statement i said earlier is true, I have listened to everyone but not to a "T", I havent put anything in yet but I havent been patient with asking for stuff and whinning and such, so its like 50/50 on the following part. If i offended you with that statement im sorry but thats the way I feel about it. And I know its a home for these animals and that it needs to be cared for and such. I will do that and I will take this seriously and so forth.
If I didn't care about the animals I would have gone and spent hundreds of $ on fish/corals that would most likely be dead or dying. And that acronym is kinda mean but whatever it might have been necessary. But anyhow thats just my input on it.

[wireefman]

connor- it is connor isnt it...... every forsale thread has you asking if you can buy the livestock.... dont try to sqirm around this fine line that u have drawn in the sand... the reason this damn thread is so long is because it is filled with 9 pages of be patient... it gets old!!!!! seriously its worse than beating a dead cow..... either you get it or you dont.... and so far you dont get it... u need to understand that if you dont change your ways people around here are going to start ignoring you, and then when something terrible happens (when that branch you are on so to speak breaks) noone is going to be there to help... and trust me... you dont want that branch to break... because it will never regrow.... trust me when i say that... what are you going to do... where are you going to turn??? petco??? the only advice you should ever seek is from a fellow reefer... and when ALL of them tell u the same thing dont you think you should listen?

[hypertech]

Hey man, he's at like 50/50 didn't you see. If BO can give himself a B+, then 50/50 should be passing right?

[cj_doede]

Yes my name is Connor, and thanks for spelling it right:gay1:. But yea Im trying to be patient but its hard. Were you patient when you where a 16 year old kid???
I know that I want to keep this resource, its an amazing website where I can get tons of answers and info on reefing. I would like to keep this as a website where people like me and will talk to me and help me out.
Again sorry if I am angering you but its hard for a 16yr old kid to wait for weeks for something when normally he can get it at the drop of a hat so to speak.

[wireefman]

Again sorry if I am angering you but its hard for a 16yr old kid to wait for weeks for something when normally he can get it at the drop of a hat so to speak.

thats they thing.... and weve told you time and time again, you cant get this at the drop of a hat....

[cj_doede]

Yea true, but when you said wait I thought it would be a few weeks not a month or 2, oh well you live and you learn. I will try to stop being so impatient for awhile and keep everyone up to date with my test results.

[cj_doede]

Hey man, he's at like 50/50 didn't you see. If BO can give himself a B+, then 50/50 should be passing right?

What/who is "BO"? But yea its hard to pass a test out of 2 questions, 1 wrong and you fail.

[brendondreher]

Yea true, but when you said wait I thought it would be a few weeks not a month or 2, oh well you live and you learn. I will try to stop being so impatient for awhile and keep everyone up to date with my test results.

If you use the search function on here or google you would know what is happening when your tank is going through its cycle and roughly how long it would take. I told you this weeks ago but instead of spending all your time researching you decided to try and organize a group buy to save yourself a few dollars.
Dont try and tell us you listen cause thats a lie.

[hypertech]

Being 16 is no excuse. There are younger members on here who conduct themselves just fine.

Stop making excuses and listen to advice given to you before people stop offering it.

[cj_doede]

There are younger members on here who conduct themselves just fine.

WHO?!?!?!

[brendondreher]

http://www.tcmas.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=136

I cant believe your 16 I thought you were 14 and only cause you said you are in high school

[wireefman]

Yea true, but when you said wait I thought it would be a few weeks not a month or 2, oh well you live and you learn. I will try to stop being so impatient for awhile and keep everyone up to date with my test results.

instead of being reactive...be proactive... instead of telling us your going to do something just do it.... ive seen u post your results once since u thought your cycle was done.... dont sit and say you are going to post them... go take them and then POST THEM

[cj_doede]

I just took them last night. I alternate nights testing so I will post tommorow. I have done alternating days basically since I started testing.

[cj_doede]

http://www.tcmas.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=136

I cant believe your 16 I thought you were 14 and only cause you said you are in high school

A whopping 2 kids dude. There parents probably check everything they post too.

[lr9788]

Doesnt matter how many are younger...

[cj_doede]

Then what are hypertech and brendonderher trying to say!?!?!?! Im confused.

[lr9788]

That even the 2 younger kids are willing to listen and wait, doesnt matter if there are 2 or 200 they are listening and their tanks are doing well

I am done with this thread

[Fb Joe]

Your using your youth as a reason for being impatient and not caring about livestock whatsoever. IMO its more just impatience and entitlement.
FWIW I'm only 18, and I started reefing at 17. I bought a set up and established tank (4 years) and only with 2 hours being down, I STILL waited and cycled it before i put new livestock in it.

Ps. dont thrash out your frustrations on other members. It makes you sound like a 12 year old, and no one wants to give help to someone who does that.

[mrlee]

dam, you guys see that cat get run over???

[jkrentz2515]

A whopping 2 kids dude. There parents probably check everything they post too.


Sounds like a good idea:gay1:

[Matt D.]

But yea Im trying to be patient but its hard. Were you patient when you where a 16 year old kid???
I know that I want to keep this resource, its an amazing website where I can get tons of answers and info on reefing. I would like to keep this as a website where people like me and will talk to me and help me out.
Again sorry if I am angering you but its hard for a 16yr old kid to wait for weeks for something when normally he can get it at the drop of a hat so to speak.
Then I will straight up say that this may not be the hobby for you right now.

[brendondreher]

^Yup^ I'm a sucker for a good train wreck every once in a while though so...

These are some websites that are good.

www.reefcentral.com

www.nano-reef.com

Now go read.

[RaysReef]

^Yup^ I'm a sucker for a good train wreck every once in a while though so...
.

Thread wrecker u

[brendondreher]

Hey I was nice! Where have you been?

BTW I tried givin ya some rep for that but tcmas says no. I think someone is out to get you.

[RaysReef]

Hey I was nice! Where have you been?

BTW I tried givin ya some rep for that but tcmas says no. I think someone is out to get you.

FT job and getting things inline (Rays reef) for 2010 takes all my time at the moment.

I think I can only receive so many rep points, lol.

[Matt D.]

Connor, I was poking around Reef Central, came across this and you were the first person I thought of. Not trying to beat a dead horse here, I just want all of us newbies to be successful.

http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/9-reefkeeping-101-

[RedHeckle]

Nice, that's a great starter/reminder, I've read it and I've also bookmarked it!!!

-Glenn

[wireefman]

bout the only thing i can say to this link :biggthumpup::biggthumpup:


Connor, I was poking around Reef Central, came across this and you were the first person I thought of. Not trying to beat a dead horse here, I just want all of us newbies to be successful.

http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/9-reefkeeping-101-

[cj_doede]

Good website, hopfully that along with the saltwater books I got for x-mas I can get this tank going.

Also I tested the tank today and here are the results
Temp 80
Salinity 1.024
Ph 8.2
No2 0ppm
No3 0ppm
Ammonia 0ppm

I even had my mom look at the colors for matching I was so shocked.:biggthumpup: she agreed they were at zero. So is my tank ready now???

[Matt D.]

Good website, hopfully that along with the saltwater books I got for x-mas I can get this tank going.

Also I tested the tank today and here are the results
Temp 80
Salinity 1.024
Ph 8.2
No2 0ppm
No3 0ppm
Ammonia 0ppm

I even had my mom look at the colors for matching I was so shocked.:biggthumpup: she agreed they were at zero. So is my tank ready now???
Did you even read that article I linked? What was the first paragraph titled?

Resist the Urge to Act Impatiently

And look at what you are doing. You last posted test results on the 21st when we asked you to post them every day. You've already been instructed that you need to wait 1-2 weeks with no ammonia and nitrite before doing anything else.

[cj_doede]

yes i know but, it has been at zero for 4 days. I was just asking, a simple yes or no would have sufficed.

[brendondreher]

You should reread YOUR thread from the beginning.

[Mike Bennett]

My suggestion would be wait another 2 weeks and then test again. If things look good at that point, you can start searching the FS threads or group buys and look into stocking. Till then it might be better to just think about what you would like to stock in the tank. 2 weeks should be a perfect amount of time to start planning out your livestock scheme and read up to make sure you know they're compatible and how to take care of each of them properly. ;)

[Matt D.]

a simple yes or no would have sufficed.
Sorry, but you've been given simple answers from day one and they've never been enough.

[cj_doede]

Ok thanks bemi. That's the reply I was looking for not all these other answers. I even talked with Peggy at all-reef, she even said my tank is ready! She does this for a living.

[lr9788]

No offense to Peggy but does she know all the background of this tank build? You are getting answers to your questions from people that have watched your tank from the start unlike someone who is working in a store. I say take the advice of the people that have spent TONS of time reading and re-reading your posts and answering the same questions over and over again.

Just wait 2 weeks. You have made it this far...

[mrbeachbum2]

You can always wait more time, but you cannot go back wishing you did. There's no point risking fish/invertebrates. Read up on TCMAS, reefcentral, etc as Mike has suggested.

[cj_doede]

ok sounds like a plan

[Fb Joe]

And please dont pull this crap when it comes to stocking your tank. Do that slowly as well, as the system will need time to recoup bacteria from each addition.I know you will not heed this warning, but try! Do not, Do not add tons of fish and corals right away to make the tank pretty. If i come back to this thread and see you added 3 fish and 10 corals right away after your 2 week wait, I will shoot myself in the face

[cj_doede]

Haha I wanna see that.....jk :beerchug:
I won't add things fast. Most likely a pair of clowns or a coral at first then wait a bit and add some other stuff.

[mrlee]

i remember someone say they wait till JAN 2010?:gay1: 4 more days

[acharpenter]

+1000

[cj_doede]

Yea I remember that, I can do it!!!!

[BeerNut]

If you hold out until the 1st of Jan to add anything, I've got a couple of frags for you free of charge. I'm not even that far from you.:beerchug:

Don

[REEFSTOCK]

would the rock stay live if i did this only to kill the 2 polyps of aptasia?

The better part of it, yes.

[Fb Joe]

+1000

what? $1000? ill take that :D

Cj any ideas of the livestock this tank will end up with?
You should post ideas so we can give advice before you buy them :D

[cj_doede]

Im thinking a yellow watchman goby paired with a pistol shrimp, a ocellaris clown possibly 2, and thats probably it. And lots of cool corals. I really dont want to overload this tank seeing as its a smaller tank though.

[cj_doede]

Also a little update on that aiptasia, I got some joes juice from all-reef and that stuff worked great, just a drop of it and they basically withered away. I did this 2 days ago and have yet to see more pop up, I will continue to monitor them though.

[acharpenter]

Also a little update on that aiptasia, I got some joes juice from all-reef and that stuff worked great, just a drop of it and they basically withered away. I did this 2 days ago and have yet to see more pop up, I will continue to monitor them though.

:biggthumpup:

[cj_doede]

If you hold out until the 1st of Jan to add anything, I've got a couple of frags for you free of charge. I'm not even that far from you.:beerchug:

Don

3 MORE DAYS!!!!!!!!!!

[brendondreher]

What are your test results for today?
What sites and topics have you been reading today?

[cj_doede]

What are your test results for today?
What sites and topics have you been reading today?

Test results are
Temp 80
Sal. 1.024
ph 8.2
no2 0ppm
no3 0ppm
nh3/nh4 0ppm


I have been reading the books about saltwater fish care and tank setup "santa" got for me:beerchug: The books are really helpfull.

[wireefman]

connor, dood im proud of you.... i know how hard it is to sit and look into an empty fish tank.... im doing it as we speak

[cj_doede]

Yea im soo glad i can add stuff after friday!!!!! Im going to take a pic before i put stuff in and after. Its gonna be sweet.

Yea you need to get that tank going!!

[wireefman]

Yea im soo glad i can add stuff after friday!!!!! Im going to take a pic before i put stuff in and after. Its gonna be sweet.

Yea you need to get that tank going!!

oh its going..... just waiting on the cycle if i get any... added mysis the otherday and it did nothing....

[cj_doede]

oh its going..... just waiting on the cycle if i get any... added mysis the otherday and it did nothing....

Your in the fun part now.:gay1: Last month was like the longest of my life. It seemed like it took forever for that cycle to happen.

[wireefman]

the lr i got has been cured for over a year..... brought home in a bucket of the tankwater.... i literally had 0 die off.... was out of the water for maybe 30 seconds as i put it in my tank

[cj_doede]

Wow yours should cycle fast then.:biggthumpup: Mine was out of water for like 15 minutes, just the drive from mtfatwork house to mine and the time trying to figure out the aquascaping.

[Matt D.]

Hey, at least you aren't staring at the stupid color charts like me trying to figure out what it matches, afraid that I made a mistake in the previous days. :)

[wireefman]

Hey, at least you aren't staring at the stupid color charts like me trying to figure out what it matches, afraid that I made a mistake in the previous days. :)

lol kinda hard to argue with clear......

[Blownsvt]

the lr i got has been cured for over a year..... brought home in a bucket of the tankwater.... i literally had 0 die off.... was out of the water for maybe 30 seconds as i put it in my tank

thats how mine was too. i never had any cycle.

[wireefman]

thats how mine was too. i never had any cycle.

like i said in my build the night i got mine up n running i thawed out a block of frozen mysis shrimp, just to see what would happen....... 4 days later... still clear.... im gunna wait until i get back from ohio on the 20th to add some coral and fish but.... i thought i woulda got some thing going.... ahhhh well.... sorry for hijacking your thread connor

[cj_doede]

Hey no big deal. I know ive done it before:gay1:

[brendondreher]

Hey no big deal. I know ive done it before:gay1:

LOL!! Good call young one

What/ where did you read today?

[cj_doede]

Hey, at least you aren't staring at the stupid color charts like me trying to figure out what it matches, afraid that I made a mistake in the previous days. :)

Yea fun stuff. Make sure you look in good lighting and double check. I even had my mom look which helps too.

[jkrentz2515]

Make sure you hold off for quite awhile on any anemones. RBTA are hard to keep in an un-established aquarium, and may require more lighting than you have. Also if you want other corals you will soon see your tank be overtaken by an anemone.:cool:

[cj_doede]

Oh ok, that wouldn't be good. I'll have to think about that. I'm just trying to find something for clowns to host in.:biggthumpup:

[cj_doede]

If you hold out until the 1st of Jan to add anything, I've got a couple of frags for you free of charge. I'm not even that far from you.:beerchug:

Don

Are you still going to do this??:beerchug:

[wireefman]

Are you still going to do this??:beerchug:

im heading over to his place tonight to help him move his challice ill remind him!!!

[cj_doede]

Ok cool, good luck with that chalice, it sounds like a challange trying to move those.:biggthumpup:

[wireefman]

Ok cool, good luck with that chalice, it sounds like a challange trying to move those.:biggthumpup:

pffft.... im just gunna dremmel around it. use my mallet and break the rock from behind using the cuts as a waek point.... should in theroy break away quite nicely..... and if it doesnt..... welll don has a couple rocks from 1.... lol

[cj_doede]

haha nice:beerchug: sounds like you got a plan.