A death of a great uncle brings me back to the world of the Wonderful Sea in a Tank.

[autoponicz]

You could always take a ride to lancaster and visit That pet place. Very nice place, great prices and an MR sponsor.

yea i mapquested thatpetplace and its 2 hours from me....but on the weekdays...i think by the time i get off work and take the ride there...i might have only 5min. to shop..lol...
weekends im back in NY...

littlereefcreations.....tank is coming along...that skimmer seems to be working out for you...

 

[skimmerman100]

ladies and gentle men i am the cousin that is responsable for this tank. i also invited him to mr. i created this skimmer in the aqua clear with a lees skimmer modded to fit and me and him set it up at 5 am. now he is on his way to the reef world.

chris medina

 

[h20 freak]

Welcome to MR

now for me to put a damper on the thread. Your tank looks like it is uneven,this can cause the glass to crack or even break resulting in no more tank and in your case computer.

Also I would suggest a deep sand bed(DSB)look it up if you want to but it basically lowers Nitrates.

 

[pclittlereefcreations]

1. Thanks for the concern, I leveled out the tank best I can for now I will be moving it from there after it cycles.
2. How long should I keep the raw shrimp in the tank?
3. Is it ok to put in more sand after the cycle or should I put it in soon?
4. Is putting your hands in the tank bad for your water?

Thanks
DS

 

[autoponicz]

1-move it now so you dont have to mess with the tank after its cycled or if theres livestock....
2-when you start to see nitrate......the excess fish decaying can result in higher nitrates and that can lead to algae problems..
3-it is ok if you put more sand....but its best to do it now before you have any livestock....but honestly....i dont think a 10g will benefit enough wit a DSB
4-we put our hands in the tank all the time...just make sure its clean....but dont wash your hands with soap and put it into the tank...usualy soap residue will still be on your skin...

 

[pclittlereefcreations]

1-move it now so you dont have to mess with the tank after its cycled or if theres livestock....
2-when you start to see nitrate......the excess fish decaying can result in higher nitrates and that can lead to algae problems..
3-it is ok if you put more sand....but its best to do it now before you have any livestock....but honestly....i dont think a 10g will benefit enough wit a DSB
4-we put our hands in the tank all the time...just make sure its clean....but dont wash your hands with soap and put it into the tank...usualy soap residue will still be on your skin...

3- Well I have "Nitrate 40" I guess I should take it out:question:

 

[autoponicz]

yep...its good to go!

 

[pclittlereefcreations]

Do I need to do any water change when cycling tank. Things have changed since I was in the hobbie. At one time reef tanks under 30 gallons was a NO NO.

 

[latino277]

I would do a 30 - 40% Wc after the cycle... then your good to go

 

[pclittlereefcreations]

Hey guys I hope everything is good.

Well I noticed a few active coco worms, I also put in a small power head to move the water in all my dead spots just for now I plan on setting up at least two med size head to move the water just before I buy my Coral. I checked my water and here are my readings as of 3/28/08.

73 degrees
Ammonia - 0.50
Nitrate - 20
Nitrite - .5
Alkalinity - 300
PH - 7.8

I need to buy a better test kit that covers all I need to know about my water, If yu know of any please let me know. I also wanted to know if I could put mini bio balls in my Aqua clear,if no why, is there something I can put in my filter that can help my Aqua Clear work better.

You guys are "The Best" THANKS
DS

 

[pclittlereefcreations]

Almost done be still need help

Well so far so good I think my tank:bagfish: has just finished it cycle, but I am going to give it a few more days and check the water to make sure that it's done. I am hoping to change the light on it to a HQI by this weekend. Is a 250w 14k good or to much? Anyway here is the last photo before I start puting corals in my tank. Where can I buy a cleanup crew:snail: :lobster::snail:and how do I go about feeding these guys, I need supplement in my tank what should I get. Please Help This Pain in the ashcan. :help:

It stands
Ammonia-0
Nitrate-20
Nitrite-0
Alkalinity-300
PH-8.4

Thanks and I Hope you guys don't feel like doing this to me.:type:

 

[h20 freak]

Well if algae grows then they will eat that but I would guess throw in some fish food and they will get to to it.

By supplement do you mean calc. and alk.? B-ionic is a good one for those.

 

[latino277]

Tank is looking great so far. just some tweeking that is needed..

Well I read that you have an aquaclear Hang on back (HOB) filter. Gut it out... use it for water movement and for activated carbon. Reason be that it will turn into a nitrate factory.

Also... what are you using for test kits... I would get something reliable before you start dosing suppliments. I use Salifert (sp?) for all my testing.

what salt are you using. create a batch and test it. I'm sure you will see that the #'s are more better and you can keep your #'s stable with just doing water changes... at lest for a few months.

250's might be a little much... I would put these on only if you tank is 20 and 24" tall if not then go with the 150's

Did you ever pick up a skimmer? If not, you really should look into it. It will make life a hell of a lot easier.

 

[pclittlereefcreations]

Tank is looking great so far. just some tweeking that is needed..

Well I read that you have an aquaclear Hang on back (HOB) filter. Gut it out... use it for water movement and for activated carbon. Reason be that it will turn into a nitrate factory.

Also... what are you using for test kits... I would get something reliable before you start dosing suppliments. I use Salifert (sp?) for all my testing.

what salt are you using. create a batch and test it. I'm sure you will see that the #'s are more better and you can keep your #'s stable with just doing water changes... at lest for a few months.

250's might be a little much... I would put these on only if you tank is 20 and 24" tall if not then go with the 150's

Did you ever pick up a skimmer? If not, you really should look into it. It will make life a hell of a lot easier.

What kind of filter should I get for my little 10gal, I have a skimmer that I put in the aqua clear, but since it was cycling I took it out till the cycle is done. I guess I will go with 150w, I was told that T5 are very good. I need to find out what salt was used in the first water put in my tank. What kind of salt do you use, is it ok to change the salt that was used the first time? I still need to buy a good test kit I am going to buy it in the morning.

 

[pclittlereefcreations]

Well if algae grows then they will eat that but I would guess throw in some fish food and they will get to to it.

By supplement do you mean calc. and alk.? B-ionic is a good one for those.

Yes

 

[latino277]

I would post a new thread with the type of skimmer you have. I'm really not familiar with nano skimmers. IMO... skimmers are one of the best pieces of equipment you can have for your tank. the guys and gals here will lead you in the right direction.

for the test kits... look at salifert... they are a bit price... but very accurate. I normally use reefcrystals however I'm giving oceanic a try... there are a few good choices out there... to be honist.... it's kinda hard to select a type...

 

[autoponicz]

i think you could use some mroe rocks before you add anything....remember...LR will be your main source of filtration...
and most of the 2-part supplements will work...just test and adjust the amount you need to add....
150w will be enough for even sps in a 10g.......but what do you plan to keep...
T5's ho with individual reflectors are also great lighting...they are efficient and last long...also very strong...but the shortest bulb they have is 24"..
this is my 10g half/half....with w 24w T5's...its too loong for my tank...but im not looking for aesthetics...

pic as of now...

 

[pclittlereefcreations]

Well i am back again, Hi guys and gals. I put in some Turbo Snails and two Damsels and so far so good they seem very happy, they been eating very good I don't give them to much but enough for them not to leave any laying around. The snails been working and working, I just recived a bill for all the work they did and all they want is more Algea and I plan to give it to them. What can I feed Turbo Snails when they run out of Algea. I plan to put more LS but I have it in another tank just cycling, I picked it up in a local pet shop and I want to let it sit a bit before I put it in my tank. I should be getting my HQI sometime this week and after I put it on I plan to put in the LS, What can I put in to feed the LS. I have a filter pushing the water around to help the LS. Anyway here are a few pictures.


Thanks
DS

 

[skimmerman100]

that skimmer got skills

 

[pclittlereefcreations]

that skimmer got skills

Sure dose, it was a gift with mad love.

:givebeer:Chef Buh Buh, Hook it up. OK Boss:chefico: