• Why not take a moment to introduce yourself to our members?

basiab

Advanced Reefer
Location
secret
Rating - 100%
117   0   0
If anyone is interested in starting a new tank of 30 gallons or less I would be willing to help you along based on my experience. I think I can save you time, money and grief. I have a 10 gallon for over 5 years. I am no expert but I think I can help smooth out the ride. We can do this with PM's and maybe some phone conversations. No strings attached.
 

tonep

Advanced Reefer
Location
Manhattan
Rating - 100%
41   0   0
I have a 24 G Nano Cube.
I use live rock and a sponge as the filter system.
It's been up for a while without any problems.
I have a few corals also.
I am wondering if there is a limit to the amount of coral you can put inside?
Also I have a few snails and hermit crabs but I was wondering if I should put more for cleaning the "ditrus"?
Is the more the better?
Thanks
Anthony
 

al0ha

The Inked Reefer
Location
Chinatown
Rating - 100%
53   0   0
awessoooomeee
im starting a 29 gal soon, im just buying equipment for it now, my 10 gal is full of algae coz i only use filter water
i just ordered a R/O unit from ebay, have 2 T5s and want to buy a viper 150W MH
just bought a refractometer, was using a swing arm, and a brand new koralia 3 bought at the swap
bought a 10 gal sump with overflow box from a fellow member as well as a remora pro
mmmm i also have 25 LBs of marco rocks

hopefully i can start soon and be guided along the way. Thanks alot!
 

basiab

Advanced Reefer
Location
secret
Rating - 100%
117   0   0
Sounds like you don't need my help. Do you have any fish?
The thing to remember is that both fish and corals add to the bio load and coral also produce toxins that affect other corals. In nano systems this becomes more critical because of the limited amount of water to dilute all this. I would suggest a strict maintenance of 10% water changes weekly. That's about 3 gallons in your case. This helps clean the water and replenishes minerals.
I have never seen a limit given for coral. The main thing is to keep space between pieces so that they can not touch and that includes tentacles that some send out at night which can be a few inches long. Also because they fight each other chemically you will find that over time some do well and others fade away because they are losing the battle. The best bet is keeping one kind like just zoas or just mushrooms etc. But even then you will find certain ones doing better than others.
I keep away from hermits because thay cause more harm than good. They will kill snails. Nassarius are good for cleaning up and for stirring the sand. A mixture of detritus eaters and algae eaters is good. And making sure you don't overfeed helps keep things clean. It is hard to know how many you need. Just add them slowly till you feel it is what you need. I have a 10 gallon with four astreas and 4 nassarius.
This is a good site to use when you have questions. There is another good one www.wetwebmedia.com that has lots of info and daily questions and you can send in questions.
Good luck.
 

Matorral

Experienced Reefer
Location
Bronx, Norwood
Rating - 100%
5   0   0
Hi, I Just bought a Nano cube 24 gal. I moved from Puerto Rico, there I had a 50 gal. Now I live in a small studio and decided to get into building a smaller reef tank with soft corals. I have a few questions for the locals.

How is the NYC water? Should I get RO or tap water is fine? You know any good local store in the city that sells nice live rock?

Thanks

Julian
 

Matorral

Experienced Reefer
Location
Bronx, Norwood
Rating - 100%
5   0   0
Tomorrow i get my tank delivered, is a new 24g nano cube CF, I will start searching the adds for some LR to start the cycle next week. Dont have yet the RO, I will have it delivered from Puerto Rico. I left all my equipement there, my mom is taking care of the tank, now is a fish only with no water changes, all the corals passed away. No RO needed there anymore :)
 

KathyC

Moderator
Location
Barnum Island
Rating - 100%
200   0   0
It would be best if you waited until the RO unit gets here as you don't want your new rock absorbing all of the nasty phosphates in the local water and then leeching it back into your system in the future :)

Might also be a good idea to start a new thread when you start setting up so your questions don't get lost within this one thread that is shared by others. We're all here to help you along!! :splitspin
 

xavier

Xavi
Location
New York
Rating - 100%
5   0   0
Matorral, you need a RO DI unit in NY
However, you can consider to buy the Real Sea Water that some brands are selling (as you have a nano it?s not going to be really expensive - just 12 usd by month)
I?m currently trying Petco water and it?s not bad. Redox is 310 - 350 and there is no phospate or nitrate on it
s2
 

Matorral

Experienced Reefer
Location
Bronx, Norwood
Rating - 100%
5   0   0
oops, I filled the tank already with tap water and salt before reading this thread.

well, if I had a car maybe ill consider buying water from Petco, the shipping is too much. How about buying drinking water from next door market and mixing it at home?
For phosphate/nitrate problems I was thinking about scrapping some of the black paint at the back compartment of the aquarium so I can light it up from behind and use it as a refugium for algae.


tHANK YOU ALL THIS SITE IS AWSOME!
 

Matorral

Experienced Reefer
Location
Bronx, Norwood
Rating - 100%
5   0   0
LFS=local food store? yes i have a few, i have to check about the water, is not the same as regular dinking water? How I place pictures in " my tank "
 

KathyC

Moderator
Location
Barnum Island
Rating - 100%
200   0   0
LFS - Local Fish store :)
I was asking about the pic in regard to your question about scraping off the paint to make a lighting area for the fuge .

I am way too tired to explain how to post pics tonight..maybe someone else can jump on that question please ? :flirt:
 
C

Chiefmcfuz

Guest
Rating - 100%
200   0   0
If nothing is in the tank dump the water and start right. I'm no pro at this but a correct start will help you in the long run. Any questions check out my 24 pod thread.

To upload pics click on the photo gallery in the tool bar then when you get to the photo gallery click on upload. After that while in the upload screen click on the browse buttons to search your computer for the files you want to upload. Choose a category and then upload the photo's. Please make sure they are the proper size.
 

Sponsor Reefs

We're a FREE website, and we exist because of hobbyists like YOU who help us run this community.

Click here to sponsor $10:


Top