36 gallon bow front fowlr with dwarf lionfish

[tyler1503]

A light will do 2 things. It will help keep any photosynthetic hitchhikers alive and help promote algae growth. It doesn't really matter which you go about it, but just remember algae will grow under light.
I personally don't bother with a light, but it's all a personal preference.

 

[Macenzi]

So it won't keep more bacteria alive? And is 74f good enough?

 

[tyler1503]

I'm a Celsius guy, I can't help with the temp sorry. But anywhere stable between 23-27C for most fish is good. I don't know if that helps though.
Temp isn't much of an issue during cycling though. Most hitchhikers you want can survive in a lower temp range as long as it's stable. Things like some species of bristle worms, copepods and amphipods etc.
I had my rock cycling in a bucket for months without a heater. At times room temperature got down to below freezing overnight. I still had amphipods crawl out of my rock when I put them straight into 24•C.

 

[tyler1503]

Oh, sorry, no the light won't let extra bacteria grow. Lightly feed the tank a few times a week to provide more ammonia and you'll grow extra bacteria though

 

[Macenzi]

It will be about 23.5-25 c in my basement

 

[tyler1503]

That's good
Best case scenario would be your tank holds steady at 25.5 24/7 for a reef. Fish aren't nearly quite as demanding, but your temp still needs to be stable. Anywhere stable between 23-27 is suitable for a lion

 

[Macenzi]

 

[Macenzi]

Is this algae good or bad?

 

[Macenzi]

I just tested my water API liquid test kit, for ammonia and nitrite both are showing 0 and there is a little damsel in there that came with the rock. And the water is perfectly clear

 

[fishroomlady]

have you added an ammonia source? fish food, table shrimp? since you have all live rock, you may not see much of a cycle.......I'm not sure which algae you are asking about? the green algae on the rock?

 

[Macenzi]

Yes the green hair looking stuff, I took this rock out of a cycled tank! There is a damsel in their

 

[fishroomlady]

I would say it's hair algae - just like described it's not something you want to see a lot of. You can take the rock out and scrub it with a toothbrush. After scrubbing, rinse in saltwater (not tap) and return to the tank. You need to add some sort of an ammonia source to see where your cycle is.....you can feed some flakes every couple of days. I guess you'll need to run through the cycle with the damsel in there unless you can catch it and house it while you cycle. Although you may not have a lot of a cycle since you have all live rock.

 

[Macenzi]

If it's good I'll definitely keep it! I'm feeding the damsel so that should be good on ammonia ill test it again soon

 

[Macenzi]

What is the growth rate on dwarf zebra lion fish ?

 

[tyler1503]

You'll be fine with the damsel as the ammonia source. Because it is established rock from an established tank I'd say you may not see a cycle at all, if you do it will be tiny. If after a week you have 0 ammonia I'd say your good to go.
The growth rate is dependant on the food source. When fed a nutritious varied diet multiple times a day they'll grow relatively quickly, a staple diet feed once every couple of days and you won't see much growth from my experience. A bit like an eel or snake in that sense.
Before you get him, ask the LFS if he grows too quickly can you take him back and swap him for a smaller one. Most LFS will allow that as they'll sell the bigger one for more than they would sell the smaller one you get so they make a bigger profit on it.

 

[Macenzi]

Okay I'm getting 2 saddleback clowns for 25$ I thought it was too good a deal to pass up I'm gonna get rid or the damsel will they be ok in my 15 gallon that I've now put the rock in and I have an aqua clear 70 filter on it goo

 

[Macenzi]

 

[Macenzi]

Is my coral alive?

 

[Macenzi]

Bump

 

[Trex]

Barely, but it appears that it is still alive, but not doing well.

How new is it?

What are your Cal, Alk, and Mag levels? Along with your SG/salinity.