Aquascape change?

Christam1433 · Nov 19, 2019

Hello,
I am brand new to this hobby and jumped in without doing as much research as I should have . I have a 45 gallon bow front tank (1week old with 2 small clownfish) and I used two pieces of rock as well as the castle and sunken submarine from my previous freshwater tank. I soaked the castle and sub in a bleach solution and then three rinses/soaks in a declorinator solution. My kids really want to keep the castle and sub, but I’m thinking I need to remove and replace with rock. Can I keep the castle or sub? They have sentimental value which is why we want to use them, can I add rock after starting my tank?

Arricefe · Nov 19, 2019

Keep the castle and the sub, enjoy life, let your kids enjoy your tank! Yes you can add more rock but depending on the rock you're adding it has to go through the process, are you adding dry rock like marco rock? are you adding rock that was taken from a tank and sat around that now has a bunch of dead stuff on it? Are you adding live rock from a tank?

Christam1433 · Nov 19, 2019

There is only one aquarium supply store in my town. And honestly, the fish and the corals are dirty. Even I can see it. I was planning to make the hour and a half drive to a much nicer and well cared for facility this weekend. I was thinking that I would purchase and dry rock to add to the already established takthere is only one aquarium supply store in my town. And honestly, the fish and the corals are dirty. Even I can see it. I was planning to make the hour and a half drive to a much nicer and well cared for facility this weekend. I was thinking that I would purchase a dry rock to add to the already established tank. Should I take the air stone out? The clown fish do not seem to like the bubbles.

Arricefe · Nov 20, 2019

Christam1433 said:
There is only one aquarium supply store in my town. And honestly, the fish and the corals are dirty. Even I can see it. I was planning to make the hour and a half drive to a much nicer and well cared for facility this weekend. I was thinking that I would purchase and dry rock to add to the already established takthere is only one aquarium supply store in my town. And honestly, the fish and the corals are dirty. Even I can see it. I was planning to make the hour and a half drive to a much nicer and well cared for facility this weekend. I was thinking that I would purchase a dry rock to add to the already established tank. Should I take the air stone out? The clown fish do not seem to like the bubbles.

Take the air stone out. If you add dry rock make sure that it is indeed "dry" rock that has NEVER been in an aquarium. look into http://www.marcorocks.com/. You can also add live rock but you run the risk of hitchhikers some hitchhikers are good some are bad so you have to take that into consideration. If you add dry rock that was once live the rock WILL cycle you'll tank will look like a mess and you'll be discouraged. BRS has some great videos on YouTube where you can learn a ton. 52 weeks and the 5 minute guide are two great series, check them out.