second time around

[Kodama]

Hi Guys,

I'm back after a bit of a break. My last post was about my old tank disaster - laminate floor destroyed and dead fish, the lot. I learned from my mistakes, mainly due to lack of patience, so I've decided to give it another go.

I've got a new 45-litre wave box tank on my desk with some live rock. I've moved the external HD and the mac is on a stand, so if there's a leak, my hardware should be safe. I've also got a V2 nano skimmer coming and a standard HOB filter on the tank. An 18w actinic bulb is on the way.

I had a question about the tank's setup. There were no obvious feet or polystyrene for under the tank, but I found a thin sheet of polystyrene (about 1-2mm thick) that came with the glass lid. I've used this under the tank, making sure the underside is clean to prevent any stress on the glass. Do you think this is enough? The tank's about 5-6 stone, so it's got some weight to it. The desk seems flat, so the tank should be level.

I've put cured live rock in the tank and I'm planning to keep just fish and inverts for now. I was told by the LFS that for a reef tank, I'd need to run it with corals for 3 months with no fish. For a FOWLR tank, I'd need to start with a hardy fish like a damsel and let the tank cycle for 6 weeks, even with cured live rock. But I thought the live rock was processing the ammonia? Do the nitrifying bacteria still need to colonise the filter? I don't want to put a damsel in and then have to remove it because it's taken over the tank.

I thought the stocking process for FOWLR was:

1. Add cured live rock and water
2. Monitor the water and watch for mini cycles
3. When there's no ammonia and nitrite, add one fish and the clean-up crew
4. Wait a few weeks and add another fish, stocking slowly

Am I wrong?

Cheers,
L

[felinxo]

Hi Guys,

I'm back after a bit of a break. My last post was about my old tank disaster - laminate floor destroyed and dead fish, the lot. I learned from my mistakes, mainly due to lack of patience, so I've decided to give it another go.

I've got a new 45-litre wave box tank on my desk with some live rock. I've moved the external HD and the mac is on a stand, so if there's a leak, my hardware should be safe. I've also got a V2 nano skimmer coming and a standard HOB filter on the tank. An 18w actinic bulb is on the way.

I had a question about the tank's setup. There were no obvious feet or polystyrene for under the tank, but I found a thin sheet of polystyrene (about 1-2mm thick) that came with the glass lid. I've used this under the tank, making sure the underside is clean to prevent any stress on the glass. Do you think this is enough? The tank's about 5-6 stone, so it's got some weight to it. The desk seems flat, so the tank should be level.

I've put cured live rock in the tank and I'm planning to keep just fish and inverts for now. I was told by the LFS that for a reef tank, I'd need to run it with corals for 3 months with no fish. For a FOWLR tank, I'd need to start with a hardy fish like a damsel and let the tank cycle for 6 weeks, even with cured live rock. But I thought the live rock was processing the ammonia? Do the nitrifying bacteria still need to colonise the filter? I don't want to put a damsel in and then have to remove it because it's taken over the tank.

I thought the stocking process for FOWLR was:

1. Add cured live rock and water
2. Monitor the water and watch for mini cycles
3. When there's no ammonia and nitrite, add one fish and the clean-up crew
4. Wait a few weeks and add another fish, stocking slowly

Am I wrong?

Cheers,
L

I'm glad to see you're back at it Kodama. I had a similar setup in the past and I can tell you that the thin sheet of polystyrene should be fine for now, but I would still recommend getting some proper tank feet or a polystyrene sheet specifically designed for this purpose.

As for your second question, I think there's been some misinformation going around. The cured live rock will definitely help to process the ammonia, but it's not a guarantee that the tank will be completely cycled. I've found that even with cured LR, it's still possible to get mini cycles, especially when you first add fish. The nitrifying bacteria in the filter will still need some time to colonise, so I would recommend monitoring your water parameters closely and being prepared for any changes.

As for the stocking process, I think you've got it pretty much right. The general rule of thumb is to add the cured LR and water, monitor the water parameters, and then add your first fish and CuC. From there, it's just a matter of waiting a few weeks and adding more fish slowly. However, I would recommend doing some more research and reading up on other people's experiences with FOWLR tanks. Everyone's setup is different, and what works for one person may not work for another.

[Kodama]

Hi Seffie,

Thanks for the warm welcome back, and for setting me straight on the LFS's advice. It's reassuring to know that I'm on the right track this time around.

I've been meaning to get a test kit, and I'll start testing as soon as I get it. The LR was out of the water for about 2 hours, so I'm expecting some sort of cycle. Do you have any idea how long it typically takes for cycled LR to settle in?

I have to admit, I've always been a bit wary of LR in the past. I had a morbid fear of bristle worms, and the thought of them squirming around in my tank used to freak me out. But I've decided to face my fears this time around. I've even had a bit of a scare already - I was setting up the tank and I saw this tiny wriggling worm in the water. I was like, "Oh no, it's started already!"

But I'm not going to let them get the best of me. I'm planning to get some fish that'll keep them under control. A fridmani and a six line should do the trick. Those little worms won't know what hit them.

Cheers,
L

[felinxo]

Hi Guys,

I'm back after a bit of a break. My last post was about my old tank disaster - laminate floor destroyed and dead fish, the lot. I learned from my mistakes, mainly due to lack of patience, so I've decided to give it another go.

I've got a new 45-litre wave box tank on my desk with some live rock. I've moved the external HD and the mac is on a stand, so if there's a leak, my hardware should be safe. I've also got a V2 nano skimmer coming and a standard HOB filter on the tank. An 18w actinic bulb is on the way.

I had a question about the tank's setup. There were no obvious feet or polystyrene for under the tank, but I found a thin sheet of polystyrene (about 1-2mm thick) that came with the glass lid. I've used this under the tank, making sure the underside is clean to prevent any stress on the glass. Do you think this is enough? The tank's about 5-6 stone, so it's got some weight to it. The desk seems flat, so the tank should be level.

I've put cured live rock in the tank and I'm planning to keep just fish and inverts for now. I was told by the LFS that for a reef tank, I'd need to run it with corals for 3 months with no fish. For a FOWLR tank, I'd need to start with a hardy fish like a damsel and let the tank cycle for 6 weeks, even with cured live rock. But I thought the live rock was processing the ammonia? Do the nitrifying bacteria still need to colonise the filter? I don't want to put a damsel in and then have to remove it because it's taken over the tank.

I thought the stocking process for FOWLR was:

1. Add cured live rock and water
2. Monitor the water and watch for mini cycles
3. When there's no ammonia and nitrite, add one fish and the clean-up crew
4. Wait a few weeks and add another fish, stocking slowly

Am I wrong?

Cheers,
L

Seffie x said:

Hey Kodama,

Great to see you back and tank looks really nice.

You're on the right track with the setup, just a minor suggestion - the tank is likely meant to sit directly on the stand/desk, but the polystyrene sheet should be fine for now.

Regarding your questions, I think many old-school aquarists still recommend adding coflakes first, but most of us do it the other way around nowadays - add cuc, then a fish, maybe a coflake, and build up the population slowly.

For a FOWLR tank, you're right that the cured LR should process the ammonia, and the nitrifying bacteria should colonize the filter. I wouldn't bother with a damsel, it's a bit outdated and can be harsh on the fish.

As for the stocking process, you're mostly on the right track - add cured LR and water, monitor for mini cycles, but instead of adding a fish and cuc right away, wait for a nitrate spike, do a 50% water change, and then add a cuc after a week. Then, you can add your first fish.

I'm glad you're taking the time to research and set up your tank properly this time around. Looking forward to seeing some photos of your progress.

[Kodama]

I've finally got my hands on the test kits and I've run my first ammonia test using the Salifert kit. The reading is slightly off, but I'm having a bit of trouble pinpointing the exact level - you can see the result for yourself here: http/www.flickr.com/photos/42972607@N07/3959431996/

I'll keep a close eye on the ammonia levels and once they start to drop, I'll shift my focus to monitoring nitrIte and nitrAte. When the nitrate levels spike, I'll do a 50% water change and start introducing livestock. Can't wait to get started!

On a related note, I was thinking of adding a small mythrax crab to my 45L tank. They look pretty cool, but I've heard they can get a bit aggressive and attack fish and other inverts. Has anyone had any experience with these crabs in a small tank? Alternatively, I've also considered a pom pom crab, but I've heard they're quite reclusive and rarely come out.

In terms of my clean-up crew, I'm thinking of stocking a skunk cleaner, a couple of blue legged hermit crabs, and maybe a mythrax crab if I decide to take the risk. I'd also like to add some snails, but I'm not sure which species would be best for a 45L tank. Any recommendations?

I've had a bit of a skimmer saga - I originally tried to fit a V2 nano skimmer to the tank, but it wouldn't fit with the glass lid on. So, I've ordered a Niagara 280 skimmer that fits on the back of the tank and has room for filter media. I'm hoping this one will be more suitable.

On a separate note, I've set up a copepod and rotifier culture, which I'm planning to use as a food source for my future fish. I've got a mandarin goby in mind, but I want to make sure I can keep the culture thriving before I commit to keeping one. I've got a few photos of the culture here: http/www.flickr.com/photos/42972607@N07/3959432642/ and http/www.flickr.com/photos/42972607@N07/3958658841/

I'm planning to do a 10-12L water change on the tank every week, using water from the LFS. I'll also do a 2L water change on the pod culture tank every fortnight. It's all starting to come together!

One thing I've noticed is that maintaining a nano marine tank is actually a lot easier than my old 300L malawi set up. Water changes are a breeze, and cleaning the tank is a lot less hassle. Of course, there are still some challenges to consider, but overall I'm finding it a lot more manageable.

[felinxo]

Hi Guys,

I'm back after a bit of a break. My last post was about my old tank disaster - laminate floor destroyed and dead fish, the lot. I learned from my mistakes, mainly due to lack of patience, so I've decided to give it another go.

I've got a new 45-litre wave box tank on my desk with some live rock. I've moved the external HD and the mac is on a stand, so if there's a leak, my hardware should be safe. I've also got a V2 nano skimmer coming and a standard HOB filter on the tank. An 18w actinic bulb is on the way.

I had a question about the tank's setup. There were no obvious feet or polystyrene for under the tank, but I found a thin sheet of polystyrene (about 1-2mm thick) that came with the glass lid. I've used this under the tank, making sure the underside is clean to prevent any stress on the glass. Do you think this is enough? The tank's about 5-6 stone, so it's got some weight to it. The desk seems flat, so the tank should be level.

I've put cured live rock in the tank and I'm planning to keep just fish and inverts for now. I was told by the LFS that for a reef tank, I'd need to run it with corals for 3 months with no fish. For a FOWLR tank, I'd need to start with a hardy fish like a damsel and let the tank cycle for 6 weeks, even with cured live rock. But I thought the live rock was processing the ammonia? Do the nitrifying bacteria still need to colonise the filter? I don't want to put a damsel in and then have to remove it because it's taken over the tank.

I thought the stocking process for FOWLR was:

1. Add cured live rock and water
2. Monitor the water and watch for mini cycles
3. When there's no ammonia and nitrite, add one fish and the clean-up crew
4. Wait a few weeks and add another fish, stocking slowly

Am I wrong?

Cheers,
L

Sounds like you've got everything under control, Kodama. Setting up a photobucket account is a great idea, Seffie, I'll get that sorted so we can see your photos in the thread.

[stellalux]

I've got a few in mind, but I'm not rushing into it just yet. I've been looking at a fridmani and a six line to start with, they're supposed to be good for a small tank like mine and they're pretty active. I also like the look of a small mythrax crab, but I've heard they can be a bit aggressive, so I'm not sure about that one yet.

[Kodama]

Hi Guys,

I'm back after a bit of a break. My last post was about my old tank disaster - laminate floor destroyed and dead fish, the lot. I learned from my mistakes, mainly due to lack of patience, so I've decided to give it another go.

I've got a new 45-litre wave box tank on my desk with some live rock. I've moved the external HD and the mac is on a stand, so if there's a leak, my hardware should be safe. I've also got a V2 nano skimmer coming and a standard HOB filter on the tank. An 18w actinic bulb is on the way.

I had a question about the tank's setup. There were no obvious feet or polystyrene for under the tank, but I found a thin sheet of polystyrene (about 1-2mm thick) that came with the glass lid. I've used this under the tank, making sure the underside is clean to prevent any stress on the glass. Do you think this is enough? The tank's about 5-6 stone, so it's got some weight to it. The desk seems flat, so the tank should be level.

I've put cured live rock in the tank and I'm planning to keep just fish and inverts for now. I was told by the LFS that for a reef tank, I'd need to run it with corals for 3 months with no fish. For a FOWLR tank, I'd need to start with a hardy fish like a damsel and let the tank cycle for 6 weeks, even with cured live rock. But I thought the live rock was processing the ammonia? Do the nitrifying bacteria still need to colonise the filter? I don't want to put a damsel in and then have to remove it because it's taken over the tank.

I thought the stocking process for FOWLR was:

1. Add cured live rock and water
2. Monitor the water and watch for mini cycles
3. When there's no ammonia and nitrite, add one fish and the clean-up crew
4. Wait a few weeks and add another fish, stocking slowly

Am I wrong?

Cheers,
L

I'm thinking of a few different options for fish. A small clownfish, either a false percula or an ocellaris, would be great. Alternatively, I could go for a royal gramma, an orchid dottyback, or a six line wrasse - they all seem like nice peaceful fish. I'd also like to get some kind of goby, but I'm not sure which one yet.

Another option could be two clownfish, but I'm not sure if that's a good idea or not. Or, if my pod culture does well, I might consider a mandarin goby - but that's a big if. We'll see how it goes.

I just set up the skimmer today, and it's a bit noisy. The bubbles aren't reaching the top of the cup yet, so I'll need to play around with it a bit to get it working properly.

[Bridger]

Hi, I'm new to the saltwater scene, I've been reading through the thread and I came across your pod tank, I was just wondering what it is and what it's for, is it some kind of feeding tank or something?

[Kodama]

Hi, I'm new to the saltwater scene, I've been reading through the thread and I came across your pod tank, I was just wondering what it is and what it's for, is it some kind of feeding tank or something?

Hi Gav,

I'm running a pod tank, it's a separate container for live copepods and rotifers. It's just sitting on my window ledge, and I feed it with phytoplankton - a bottle of green stuff I keep in the fridge. After about 3-4 weeks, I'm expecting a population explosion, then I can start straining off the pods and putting them in my main tank for them to colonise.

I initially thought about keeping a mandarin fluxeonot, but that's basically a death sentence for them in a small tank, as they only eat pods. Some people have had success with a separate pod culture, so I wanted to try it out. It seems pretty straightforward - just a water change every fortnight and regular feeding.

I got the kit from Reefworks, and it included everything except the salted water: air pump and line, air regulator and check valve, plastic container, phytoplankton, and cultures of copepods and rotifers. Easy peasy.

Cheers,
L