Brand New 8 gallon bio cube

[Katrina71]

Tank looks great, really like the aquascape. Now just testing to see when things are cycled.

Thank you. I'm trying to do this right. A lot to learn.

 

[Katrina71]

Are you using rodi water

Yes. All store bought water.

 

[Katrina71]

That brings me to another question. Does salt or rodi have a shelf life? I'd like to be able to have a month's worth of water at home for ease of use.

 

[Maacc]

Thank you. I'm trying to do this right. A lot to learn.

It can be overwhelming but, no worries, nobody started this knowing everything your mistakes will be where you learn most. Everyone here is here to help, never feel bad about asking a question. Shrimp wise, check out a fire/blood shrimp very colorful and noticeable. Another fish to consider is a neon goby, one of my favorites as I see them diving all the time and love them in my tanks. I have a monster sized one in my jbj 45 that enjoys cleaning my wrasses.

 

[Maacc]

That brings me to another question. Does salt or rodi have a shelf life? I'd like to be able to have a month's worth of water at home for ease of use.

Keep the lids on tight and in the dark if possible. On the salt water, check your salinity each time before you use it, for evaporation. As you get more advanced corals you will have to watch out for precipitation, but softies shouldn't be bothered.

 

[cameronh]

That brings me to another question. Does salt or rodi have a shelf life? I'd like to be able to have a month's worth of water at home for ease of use.

If you do it that way try and keep a powerhead in it to keep if from going stagnant.
But you also (might) run into a cycle that way.
All you really need for that tank would be a gallon for water changes and that should be more than enough=)

 

[Maacc]

Yes it does, but same principle?

Same principle with no dechlorinator. Basically gives the nitrifying bacteria a jump start.

 

[Katrina71]

Ok. If I need to do a gallon per week, could I use a skimmer to stretch that to 2 weeks?

 

[Katrina71]

Could I safely store 2 gallons in the dark for 2 weeks? 1 gallon per week?

 

[Blacktank]

No problem going 2 weeks. Even a month of rodi shouldn't be a problem. Depending on the salt 2 weeks is ok but big debates about it

 

[Maacc]

I keep nsw in buckets for 2 weeks no problem. Again, as you get more sensitive corals you will have to test alk and check for precipitation, but with gsp, shrooms, candy canes, and zoas, you shouldn't have a problem unless you get evaporation, which is why you want to double check your salinity with a refractometer.

 

[Katrina71]

I'm going to aim for an rodi and learn to mix my own saltwater. Long term goal. It is 40 minutes one way to the lfs.

 

[Katrina71]

My circulation pump should be here today. 250gph. The previous tank owner had one as well and suggested we get one. All of the tanks I have seen on here use them as well. I know to put it on the opposite side from the powerless, but how far into the tank? 1/4 from the surface? 1/2 way down? What works best if you plan to do easy soft corals?

 

[Katrina71]

Well, if you need motivation, I always recommend waiting 76 days before adding fish to make sure the tank is clean of parasites.

Coral and inverts are a relatively low bioload, BTW. And snails and hermit crabs are cheap and entertaining.

I did some reading last night after your 76 day warning. I don't have a qt tank or the money to set one up. I guess I need to be asking if my lfs does this. I read that live aquaria.com does it...

 

[Blacktank]

For a cheap qt tank use a plastic tote, air stone, heater and a small filter and do water changes

 

[Katrina71]

Does it need sand and live rock and lighting too?

 

[Blacktank]

No live Rock because the meds will build up in it especially copper. I would not put sand in either. a cheap light so the fish have a schedule and you can see them to look for problems

 

[Katrina71]

Will this type qt work for soft corals also? Should I try to get a tote comparable to our tank size to reduce transition stress?

 

[Blacktank]

Most people use a 40gallon for even a very large tanks, so size isn't a problem. Finding a used 10 gallon tank cheap sometimes.
For corals people do a coral dip and drip acclimate them to the tank. With a dip no need to qt

 

[Katrina71]

Ok. I have read that term before. Another question. How long should I let my shrimp rot? I have been told 4-5 days and completely.