New tank

[Gaines69]

Picked up filter, sand, and more salt. Will finish cleaning and rinsing tank tomorrow and then I'll fill it up and check for leaks. Then when I know there are no leaks I'll add the sand and salt and get the cycle started. My question now is should I wait for the cycle to finish before adding a piece of my live rock that has coralline algae on it or add just a plain live rock to help with the cycle process? I figured I'm going to have to lay tank on it's side to get the bottom clean. That way I can reach the bottom. Lol. Since I'm building this tank on a budget I'll add a heater, light, and power head as $$ becomes available. I'm hoping a hob filter for tanks up to 70 gal will be good. I'm only planning on two fish. A Saddle Valentino Puffer and a snowflake eel. Will this tank be suitable for these? I really want a puffer and I researched and this is the one that is ok in a smaller tank? I'm really like eels too but I would rather have the puffer if I can't have both. I don't want to put something in my tank that won't thrive. I will keep updating as I go. Thanks for any comments or suggestions.

 

[Big G]

By all means put the live rock in when you fill the tank. It will speed up the cycle. Especially if you know it is bug free. I usually start tanks with dry rock and then feed the tank with Bio-Spira and ammonia. Takes me about 20 days for the ammonia cycle to finish.
Puffers and eels make good tank mates. I would be concerned about the size of the eel and its bio-load on a tank less than 75 gallon. It could work but your filter system should be overbuilt for the tank size and maintenance would be critical to the eel's health. Both of those are beautiful animals. I tend to undersize my fish for the tanks they are going to live in for years. They seem to live longer and are less prone to disease with more space. But I did have a friend years ago that housed an Arowana in a rather small tank and it lived years and was happy and healthy. But he fussed over the fish and was constantly cleaning the tank, feeding and caring for the fish. It truly was a buddy. The thing would wiggle its head back and forth and greet him when he came home.

 

[Gaines69]

By all means put the live rock in when you fill the tank. It will speed up the cycle. Especially if you know it is bug free. I usually start tanks with dry rock and then feed the tank with Bio-Spira and ammonia. Takes me about 20 days for the ammonia cycle to finish.
Puffers and eels make good tank mates. I would be concerned about the size of the eel and its bio-load on a tank less than 75 gallon. It could work but your filter system should be overbuilt for the tank size and maintenance would be critical to the eel's health. Both of those are beautiful animals. I tend to undersize my fish for the tanks they are going to live in for years. They seem to live longer and are less prone to disease with more space. But I did have a friend years ago that housed an Arowana in a rather small tank and it lived years and was happy and healthy. But he fussed over the fish and was constantly cleaning the tank, feeding and caring for the fish. It truly was a buddy. The thing would wiggle its head back and forth and greet him when he came home.

The filter I got is for tanks up to 75 gal. If it's best to not have the eel I'm fine with that. Like I said I want whatever fish I have to thrive and be happy. Will the puffer be ok in this tank? Guess it's time to research and see what else would make good tank mates for the puffer. I don't mind having a species only tank. I love puffers so I'm fine with it being the only fish in the tank. Thanks for your response.

 

[Big G]

What a great opportunity to try a pair of puffers. One male, one female. Hmm. . .

 

[Gaines69]

What a great opportunity to try a pair of puffers. One male, one female. Hmm. . .

That sounds like a grand idea. Time to research these little guys. I'm getting kinda excited now but I'm determined to take my time.

 

[Gaines69]

Well looks like the stand for this tank is history. Thanks to the 2+ feet of water Harvey dropped off at my apartment wasn't good for the stand. Time to learn how to build a wooden stand myself. This should be fun. I am greatful that the tank itself survived. Time to clean up and start over.

 

[Big G]

Well looks like the stand for this tank is history. Thanks to the 2+ feet of water Harvey dropped off at my apartment wasn't good for the stand. Time to learn how to build a wooden stand myself. This should be fun. I am greatful that the tank itself survived. Time to clean up and start over.

Sorry for your troubles. Lots of great stand builds here. Think positive!

 

[Gaines69]

Sorry for your troubles. Lots of great stand builds here. Think positive!

I am so greatful today. The water is gone and we are safe. I am determined to make the best of this and help out where I can.

 

[Gaines69]

Repashy Super Foods for marine fish. Been seeing a lot of videos on this and was wondering what everyone thinks , especially if you have tried it. I loved their crested gecko diet when I was keeping and breeding created geckos so I was wondering if their fish diet would be a good option for me. I want to use a wide variety of foods to make sure my fish are healthy. Since my mandarin eats frozen I was wondering if any of these would work for him.

Any opinions or experiences using these foods?