wvfisher BC14

wvfisher · 09-22-2007, 09:52 AM

Well, I have finally set up my tank. I have followed alot of the threads on talkingreef and they have been so helpful. I am sure I will continue to have lots of questions and problems that you can all help me with. I used Marco Rocks and some lr rubble from PA. I bouught 15 lbs of MR and 5 lbs of lr rubble but I couldn't get it all in the tank. Oh well, I am going to take the extra MR to my lfs and show them what [b]good[b] base rock looks like.

I am enclosing a pic because I need your guys input. Do I have too much rock in my tank? I looked at quite a lot of pic on line and my wife tells me she thinks it is too crowded. What do you think?

**Phurst** · 09-22-2007, 09:59 AM

Here's your pic.

It does look a little crowded to my eye, but it's really personal preference.

wvfisher · 09-22-2007, 10:49 AM

Well I took my wife's and your advice and changed my aquascape. My wife helped me this time so I know it will be better. It always is if I follow her advice!! Here is another pic, what do you now think?

I think the cycle is starting:

Temp 79
Ammonia .5
Nitrite .25
PH 8.8

The PH is high but I think that is the rock. Should I do a water change, or add Proper PH to lower to 8.2?

**Phurst** · 09-22-2007, 10:52 AM

Looks better IMO. Sounds like your cycle is on it's way. That pH is a little high, but I don't think I'd sweat it at this point.

wvfisher · 09-22-2007, 11:28 AM

I have nothing in my #1 Chamber and lr in #2 and heater and pump in #3. I want to add chaeto and light to #1 later. How soon should I wait before adding chaeto?

**Phurst** · 09-22-2007, 02:47 PM

I didn't set my fuge up until the tank had been running for a while, but I don't see why you couldn't add the cheato as soon as you start seeing nitrates.

wvfisher · 09-22-2007, 03:54 PM

Thanks for the info. I just ordered some chateo from ebay.

**CarmieJo** · 09-22-2007, 05:37 PM

Yep, your cycle sounds like it is on the way. I would not worry about even measuring pH at this point. It will continue to swing as your cycle continues. That Marco Rock has lots of volume for its weight. I like the second aquascape.

wvfisher · 09-22-2007, 06:39 PM

Thanks Carmie, I was really impressed with the Marco Rock. I am going to take a piece to my lfs. They haven't heard of it! I told them they need to get out to some of the forums.

mikellini · 09-22-2007, 07:17 PM

I like the second aquascape as well. It'll be much easier to clean the glass on the sides now. I'm gonna stay tuned to this one, I'd love to get myself one of these!

wvfisher · 09-24-2007, 04:04 PM

Well my cycle is really working now.
Ammonia: 3.0 ppm
Nitrite: 4.0 ppm

The tank is really starting to clear up. I got my lights for my fuge in #1 Chamber today. I will get the chaeto in a couple of days. If I put it in too early will it kill the pods in the chaeto? I am going to have the lights for the fuge on a opposite cycle with my other lights. I think that will stop any PH swing.

**Phurst** · 09-24-2007, 05:16 PM

If possible, I would indeed wait until the ammonia and possibly the nitrite are back down to 0.

wvfisher · 09-25-2007, 06:17 PM

I have another question for all of you. Is the following CUC too much for my tank?

8 Nerite Snails
4 Cerith Snails
5 Nassarius Snails
5 Dwarf Whiteleg Hermits
4 Blueleg Hermits
1 Red Bristle Starfish
1 Fighting Conch

Does the CUC raise the bioload in the tank, if so, should I add some of these things at a time or all at once? Also I don't have any decent lfs in my area. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good place to get my CUC? Thanks everyone. I decided that since I was always picking your brains I may as well go ahead and start supporting the team. By the way, next month I will have a headphone w/mike so that I can join in for the live show.

**Phurst** · 09-25-2007, 06:45 PM

That seems like an aweful lot to me. I'd deffinitely cut down those numbers and leave out the star and conch all together. In my 12, I have 2 turbos, 1 blue leg and a pepermint shrimp, and they do just fine cleaning. Yes, the CUC adds to the bio-load, and in a nano, should be added gadualy. What are your plans fish-wise?

My local club just ordered a big CUC group order from reeftopia.com. Top flight operation as far as that order went.

**CarmieJo** · 09-25-2007, 07:03 PM

I am relatively new to nanos but that is a bigger CUC than I have in my 24. Is a Red Bristle Starfish a kind of brittle star? If so it will not be a good choice for a nano. Mini brittle stars like these Family Ophiactidae sp. #2 mini brittlestars (Difficult) - Project DIBS Forums are good choices. I don't have them but you can probably find a TR member that has them breeding in their tank and who would send you some if you pay shipping.

While the cleanup crew does exactly that they also contribute to the bioload and I feel they should be added piecemeal. If you are buying them by mail order it may not be economically feasible to pay to have them shipped in batches. If that is the case you will have to monitor your parameters and do water changes to keep them in check.

wvfisher · 09-25-2007, 09:26 PM

Thanks for the info. That CUC is what Reef Scavanger.com recommends for a 5-15 gal tank! I thought it was a lot. I'm not ready yet but I was just planning. Phurst, I only want a couple of fish. My granddaughter(5) tells me we have to have "Nemo" but I don't know what else. Any suggestions? I would like to have lots of color and be very active.