20H Nano tank Just started

[Gene0514]

Hi, I am completely new to saltwater aquariums. I have been keeping freshwater tanks for some time though.

Equipment:
Maxi-jet 600 pump
Aquaclear 20 filter (no media)
24" strip light
20" strip light
Live stock:
20 lb live rock
20 lb live sand

Here is the tank empty

Here is the tank with live rock and sand

here is the equipment on top of the tank

 

[Lenny718]

WOW Looks great Gene! I knew you could do it little buddy

 

[Lenny718]

Oh and welcome to MR! I told you that you would love this site

 

[Gene0514]

Thanks
and you were right, this site is great


UPDATE!!
I found my first hitchhiker in my tank. Its a little bristleworm.

Here is a pic

 

[Gene0514]

Thanks u were right

UPDATE!! 11/23
Found a hitchhiker. Its a bristleworm!

Here's a pic

UPDATE!!! 11/25
The tank looks pretty good for now. I see the bristleworm almost every morning.

 

[Gene0514]

Any comments about the tank?

 

[ghostshadow]

looks like a great start gene! i stared at my bare live rock for hours when i first started.

hold onto your wallet tight because i started a small 7 gallon bowfront years and a couple thousand dollars ago.

i like the shark in the bottle!

dan

 

[Gene0514]

thanks ghost shadow

I'm trying to keep this setup as cheap as I can lol.

About how long after the cycle do you recommend I start adding the CUC?

 

[Lenny718]

Once your levels are 0 its safe to add a cuc.

 

[Gene0514]

kk thanks

 

[nanoreefer22]

I think before you add something as delicate as a cuc, you should wait much longer than when your levels are 0. Give the tank at least 6 months to a year to develop the neccessaries for a cuc to survive.

 

[Lenny718]

I think before you add something as delicate as a cuc, you should wait much longer than when your levels are 0. Give the tank at least 6 months to a year to develop the neccessaries for a cuc to survive.

Kris I was talking about a clean up crew, why would you wait a year to add snails and hermits?

 

[nanoreefer22]

thought you guys were talking bout cucumbers :lol2:

 

[Lenny718]

lol it's all good buddy

 

[Gene0514]

lmao

so I can add a CUC as soon as its cycled or should I wait another week?

 

[Lenny718]

It won't hurt to wait a little longer but most people add them when the cycle is complete.

 

[Gene0514]

ok then I'll add probably about a week after it cycles just to be safe.
The last time I checked, the ammonia was at .5
For some reason, when testing, the water in the tube became clowdy after adding the drops. Is that normal?

 

[Gene0514]

is it ok to use a piece of a cooked cocktail shrimp to cycle?

or is the live rock, live sand, and a pinch of fish food every 2 days fine?

 

[h20 freak]

Theres no reason to cook it but if you want then ya, float it in a mesh bag so debris doesn't get everywhere.

 

[Gene0514]

kk thanks

and the shrimp are already cooked (bought one of those bags of cooked and clean shrimp from costco)