29g Saltwater Nano Tank

[Colin_T]

doesn't look like a bristle worm, they have wider bodies.

monitor the crab.

I wouldn't go too extreme with pipe caves, just use a 6inch length of pvc pipe and put one end in the sand. Before you put it in the tank, smear some silicon on the outside and sprinkle sand over it to camouflage it.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

doesn't look like a bristle worm, they have wider bodies.

monitor the crab.

I wouldn't go too extreme with pipe caves, just use a 6inch length of pvc pipe and put one end in the sand. Before you put it in the tank, smear some silicon on the outside and sprinkle sand over it to camouflage it.

Ok good, bristle worms freak me out for some reason...

The crab is still in the same hole.

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Is it ok to turn the lights on? The bottle of bacteria said to keep the UV light off for 48 hours, so should I keep the regular light off as well?

 

[Colin_T]

The filter bacteria develop quicker in dark conditions but if you have macro algae or coral in the tank (on the live rock), then have the normal light on for 12 hours a day.

You don't need the U/V light at all. If you have corals and want to see them fluoresce, then you can have it on for a short time each day, but build up the time slowly incase the corals have been in aquariums for a while. If they have been indoors for awhile and you stick them under heaps of U/V light, they can get the equivalent of sunburn. So just start with 15 minutes a day of U/V light and build it up over a month or more.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I do have algae on the live rock, so I will turn on the light for 12 hours today.

I don’t have any coral yet. Is it possible that a small one may be growing on the live rock? Or is that just wishful thinking?

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I think the crab may be a “coral crab”, or a “gorilla crab”. Are either of those bad?

 

[Colin_T]

It is possible the live rock has juvenile corals on them. I used to go through the live rock that came into the shop and most had corals on them. The rock with corals got put into the coral tanks and the rock without corals went into the rock tank.

I don't like any crabs in marine tanks that contain other forms of life, with the only exception being small hermit crabs and porcelain crabs that live in sea anemones..

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Any clue what this red stuff is? Maybe algae?

Also, is this white stuff mold of some sort? I didn’t put anything in the tank, except the bottled bacteria:

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The rocks have definitely colored up, after being in the tank for a while.

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@Colin_T, you mentioned how crazy the price was... I literally think they went to a quarry or found these dry rocks outside. I literally had to wash brown dirt out of the holes. ?

 

[Krib32]

I'd throw the crab out. If it is a gorilla crab you definitley want to thow it.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I'd throw the crab out. If it is a gorilla crab you definitley want to thow it.

If I can catch it, lol. It’s crammed itself in that little hole.

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My plan is to test the water today! Tank should be cycled now.

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I still plan on getting the watchman goby first. If I can afford more stock at the same time, what else should I get? (The shrimp? Or the clowns?)

 

[Colin_T]

No idea what you mean by red and white stuff on the rocks.

Marine tanks need to be cycled like freshwater tanks. Adding liquid bacteria supplements should help reduce the cycling time but there is no guarantee the tank is cycled unless you add ammonia and monitor it.

In a brand new tank that is potentially uncycled, I would only add 1 small cheap fish and see how it goes over the next few weeks. If you a bunch of fish and the filter isn't ready, you waste a heap of money when the fish die.,

 

[PheonixKingZ]

No idea what you mean by red and white stuff on the rocks.

Marine tanks need to be cycled like freshwater tanks. Adding liquid bacteria supplements should help reduce the cycling time but there is no guarantee the tank is cycled unless you add ammonia and monitor it.

In a brand new tank that is potentially uncycled, I would only add 1 small cheap fish and see how it goes over the next few weeks. If you a bunch of fish and the filter isn't ready, you waste a heap of money when the fish die.,

Ok, I’m testing the water now.

What cheap fish do you recommend?

(It’s a small spot, but I just think it’s algae of some sort [the red stuff])

 

[Colin_T]

I can't see any red stuff on the rocks.

You can try a goby, damselfish or a molly but mollies often have worms, which means treating the tank for worms.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I can't see any red stuff on the rocks.

You can try a goby, damselfish or a molly but mollies often have worms, which means treating the tank for worms.

I think I may get the goby first, as that was my plan to begin with.

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I think I’m going to go ahead and get the saltwater test kit. I have tried twice to get an accurate reading with the freshwater one, but it keeps getting a sludgy yellow pudding. And, I can’t really tell from the print out, as the colors aren’t that good.

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Updated shopping list (in order)

1. API saltwater test kit
2. Watchman Goby
3. More dry rock (to make a cave for the goby)

I can't see any red stuff on the rocks.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Just tested all of my parameters, which came out to weird results:

pH: 8.6-8.8 (is this to much?)
Ammonia: ... (the liquid messed up again, and I can't tell)
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 20ppm

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[Colin_T]

A pH of 8.6 is fine. 8.8 is a bit high. Seawater normally has a pH around 8.5.

There shouldn't be any nitrate. Maybe test some R/O water (without salt in) for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH just to make sure it's working properly.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

A pH of 8.6 is fine. 8.8 is a bit high. Seawater normally has a pH around 8.5.

There shouldn't be any nitrate. Maybe test some R/O water (without salt in) for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH just to make sure it's working properly.

Will do, after breakfast.