Btw what do you all think of protein skimmer? Overkill or must have for nano tank? If must have, should I get it well after or during cycling?
Amazing resources thx for sharingWelcome! Glad you joined. Agree wait like vetteguy in #5 advises. Patience is the magic in saltwater... deep breath... look away... imagine yourself as that clownfish. Back in the 80s you were hearing fish in cycle because options were limited (pee in your own tank... dead bit of leftover human dinner shrimp...) but now there are better options. Invertebrates are more sensitive than clowns, so adding saltwater shrimp likely to give you dead saltwater shrimp... and leave that to rot to help cycle seems even worse.
Have you considered starting your build thread? I found its a great place to document my tank's evolution for myself. I started tank first then joined, so I'm still finding myself going back collecting pictures & updating historically as well as current state. Once you create your first post in your thread and link it to your account, they will give you build badge (look left, under my ID)
This might help you find people local to you:
Local Reef Club Discussion
Looking for some locals to share frags and info with? This is the place! Find a local club that meets in your area! If you want to add your club just contact us.www.reef2reef.com
Perhaps distract yourself in these early days, weeks, (lol) months with watching videos (BRS has good ones) and reading. This is a good reference book type online article I still review:
The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium
This article was sponsored by @MarineDepot at www.marinedepot.com. Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is no...
Welcome to the reef. What type of bacteria did you add? If it’s Fritz Turbo or Sea Chem stability I have added clowns right after without issue. I think you are fine. Just keep an eye on the parameters and follow directions. Stability is a 7 day treatment. Where Turbo is one and done
Protein skimmer will definitely help in a nano. Doesn’t have to be anything huge, but extra nutrient export in a nano is always helpful. You don’t need it right away, but as the bioload in your aquarium changes with the addition of livestock it will be good to have in my opinion.
Welcome! I came from 30+ years of freshwater - I LOVE your tank! I took down my last planted tank a couple years back, and do miss my freshwater fish. I've only been at this about a year, but I can say it has definitely been quite the adventure! I did fishless cycling with my first saltwater tank - used dry rock, live sand, AlgaeBarn NitroCycle, and Fritz Turbostart 900. Also tossed in a little flake food for good measure, then let it sit and do its thing for a few weeks. I added another dose of Turbostart the day I added my first fish (a very expensive pair of designer clownfish... big newbie mistake), and never had an issue. It's difficult to wait, but I think your idea of focusing on your other tanks while your new one is cycling is a great way to pass the time.Fair enough. I will redirect my energy to the other aquariums in the meantime. Do you recommend I phantom feed or put a frozen shrimp in there (if so, how much and how often for 13galllons) or just let the live rock and initial bac bottle just run with the filter is enough?
Agree will look into it. Really excited been thinking about this for years so excited to start the SW journey. Here's my current fw community tank
