Just set up my tank any suggestions

mgoesma · Jul 29, 2016

I'm thinking about adding some leds lights to my t5 fixture. Something like this one on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004YMV9KK/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3HE69KJLXIPR4
Am I crazy to do this?

SaltwaterTeabag · Jul 30, 2016

mgoesma said:
Yes I am having the water tested before adding fish.

Good. The best thing is to ask questions, get 10 different answers, then formulate your solution that applies to your tank. All tanks are different and no answers are correct or wrong in most cases. I ask questions all the time, there is so much to know but its not a hard hobby. Go slow and pre plan, hast in this hobby can have some bad results. Good luck with your new tank.

mgoesma · Jul 30, 2016

Just got the water tested and it was a no go on fish. Ammonia was almost 0 but nitrites were at a 6. Way to high. Guess I'll have to wait another week.

SaltwaterTeabag · Jul 31, 2016

There you go. Keep testing, it may take a while but once the cycle is done you will be able to safely put some fish in. Your hard work and patience will pay off.

mgoesma · Aug 2, 2016

that did not format very nicely.

mgoesma · Aug 2, 2016

Any suggestions on my fish list? I am going to start with clowns and snakes.

mgoesma · Aug 5, 2016

ok, I think I have my fish list finished.

Fish list
Invertebrates-
Snails
6 Nassarius Snails
6 Turban Snail
4 bumblebee snails - my not get these. looking for subs.
6 Ninja Star snails

Crabs
6 Hermit Crabs √ - decrease to 4.
2 emerald Crab

Shrimp
2 banded coral shrimp
2 Peppermint Shrimp
pistol shrimp
cleaner shrimp

Clams/scallop
1 clam – need to wait for LED addition
1 flame scallop

Star
2 Serpent star -red and tiger
Shortspine Urchin or Red Tuxedo Urchin

Fish-
Sand bed
Yellow Prawn Goby
Green or red Mandarin – need to wait a min of 6 months

Rock
2 Clown fish
Clown Goby, Green
Neon Goby

Water column
2 firefish – bonded pair
Black Cap Basslet or Royal Gramma Basslet
Kole Yellow Eye Tang or Bristletooth Tomini Tang
Saddle Valentini Puffer
Red Head Solon Fairy Wrasse
coral beauty or Harptail Blenny or Flame Angelfish

Coral-
Soft
Toadstool
Zoanthus
Polyps

LPS
Frogspawn
Hammer
Favites
3 Torch
Elegance Coral

mgoesma · Aug 9, 2016

OK. So my tank is cycled and I'm going to star adding my 2 fire fish next week. I do not have a qt tank and I have been readying about freshwater dipping. Does anyone have experience? I feel like dipping will stress the fish out. Any suggestions? What's my best option for not having a qt? I do have a UV sterilizer in the sump. I felt like it couldn't hurt.

mgoesma · Aug 10, 2016

Bump for input.

mgoesma · Aug 18, 2016

Quarantine process I'm going to use.
Thank you jimbau.

1. Drip acclimate fish to quarantine tank water ( I check SG of water fish came in and QT tank to determine length of time for acclimation). I usually try to drop my SG in the QT before getting the fish since most fish tend to come in lower SG water, I have seen down to 1.020.
2. Day 1 - Leave lights off and let fish relax for first day and observe for any immediate concerns.
3. Day 2 - Add dose of prazipro.
4. Day 6 - Do 50% water change and start copper.
5. Day 7 to 28 - raise copper slowly over a couple of days, test copper level every other day, monitor ammonia and do water changes as needed. Feed well. Determine what the fish like to eat.
6. Day 28 - 50% water change and add second dose of Prazipro.
7. Day 32 - Add to main tank. During this whole time I slowly match the QT and display tanks SG and temp so I just drop the fish into the DT.
8. If during this time I notice any infections or fungus I use Kanaplex for 6 days. I use this with Copper and haven't had any issues.

mgoesma · Jan 24, 2017

#reef2reef, #worldwidecorals,#mywwccontest
Just an update of my aquarium.

WetWhistle · Jan 25, 2017

I like the rock placement. Lots of little caves for fish to dart in and out of and is great for water flow through the rock structure. Looking good and I can't wait to see this progress as it ages.