First Tank Ever - Updated Often

[pimp4cheddar]

I've just got to ask, do you even read our comments?

Show me where it says anything about sand or cured/uncured live rock in this thread....

I sit at work and read all through this forum...everyday. Newer threads/older threads....

So if I "POST" a question...that obviously means I didn't find what I wanted - or I did find it, but was still uneasy about it...



So....back on topic...

Does anyone have any thoughts...

Would the crushed coral be too rough for the snowflake eel?

 

[adam98150]

Here's where i can help, you feel you want to stay away from the traditional community fish? Me too!

I can relate to your situation quite well, i'm just in the process of setting up my own 35G. As stated, you will not fit a Trigger in a tank of that size. Have you taken a look at the Fu Manchu Lionfish? It looks absolutely stunning, reaching a maximum of only 4". Depending on the dimensions of the tank you may also be able to fit a Golden Dwarf Moray Eel, it has the potential to reach 12", but 10" most likely. It's one of the smallest of the Moray's, expensive and rare. (I've just completely copied my stock, sigh . . .)

The Snowflake Eel has the potential to reach an apparent 36", possibly the length of your tank?

Here's another website to view marine fish, brief information also - <a href="http/www.liveaquaria.com/" target="_blank">http/www.liveaquaria.com/</a>

You're putting a Snowflake Eel in your 30g? Not very wise.

I just gave you some advice, as shown above, and got ignored. I don't even know why i bother.

Should I add sand on top of the crushed coral, since I'm buying a Snowflake Eel?

 

[pimp4cheddar]

Nothing is being ignored...I read what you wrote.

I went over to 3 different lfs...and asked what's the best eel to get for a 30 gallon tank. I was told a snowflake eel would be perfect if it's small. I have no problem buying a bigger tank in 3 years...so I honestly don't see what your problem is. Seriously, I joined this forum because I enjoy what users like SKI had to say and tone of the overall forum. You somehow seem to enjoy posting negative posts and being NO help. Do me a favor...if you honestly have nothing to say, just simply close the webpage...


Does anyone have anything to say about the questions I asked earlier. I'm going to buy the rock tomorrow.


Thanks,

 

[ben1987]

dont buy something you have to re-home later. Buy something that can be happy for life in what you have.
Look for 2nd hand live rock. If its come out of a mature tank then it could give you a head start
What about a dwrf lion fish? they look cool

 

[orange shark]

i dont think hes being no help at all he is purely saying that your lfs has been mis-advising you and we have already said that a snowflake eel will get around the length of your tank, your just being ignorant and ignoring everyones advice on not getting one because they WILL grow too big

you see on here:

http/www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_di...&pcatid=131

Minimum tank size 50 gallon

maximum size 2 foot

 

[pimp4cheddar]

i dont think hes being no help at all he is purely saying that your lfs has been mis-advising you and we have already said that a snowflake eel will get around the length of your tank, your just being ignorant and ignoring everyones advice on not getting one because they WILL grow too big

you see on here:

[URL="http/www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_di...&pcatid=131"]http/www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_di...&pcatid=131[/URL]

Minimum tank size 50 gallon

maximum size 2 foot

I have about 3-4 months before I even buy a fish that I would like...can we just move on from this topic...???

The eel is a thought and only that. I'm not ignoring what anyone on here says.


A Dwarf Lion fish is a great idea and thats what I would be buying. They have a few Lionfish that grow no more than 5-6''.

 

[shibby]

im pretty sure scott w michael recomends a 30g for a snowflake eel, reasons being they pretty much bunch themshelves up in rock dont swim about too much, we have a 12" one at work that just hides in a 6" pipe most of the day and comes out for food or to explore every now and again.

i very much doubt you would see one exceed 2 foot, specially in the home aquarium however i would probably put one in a 50g tank , il check the scott w michael book when i have chance tomorow to see if it was a snowflake im thinking of!

i think a dwarf lion would be a better option, fuzzy dwarf in particular are my personal favourate, or maybe something quirky like a frogfish i think there is one that can fit in 30g check with andy if you like the look of them i dont know alot about them.

 

[pimp4cheddar]

UPDATE:

I went to the LFS and brought 10lbs of Live Rock...

It's not enough, however the store is moving in 2 weeks and he's cleaning everything up and he didn't have a lot of rock. The rock is pretty nice; great shapes, holes and plenty of flat surfaces to stack. He said the rock was cured and I smelled it and it had no smell. Plenty of green and purple spots on the rock already.

I'm currently in the middle of taking out the blue rock I had under my crushed coral...it's driving me crazy and its visible from the sides of the tank. <---- seems like it'll take 3-4 hours to separate the crush coral from the blue rock....

I'll post pics when I get home.

 

[pimp4cheddar]

Alright folks...your in for a GREAT UPDATE!!!

So...as I stated before, I had went and brought around 10lbs of Live Rock. The rock looks great and so did the tank. However...me being me...I had to remove the blue rocks (I brought these when I first got the tank as I was going Fresh Water) that were under the crushed coral.

So first I removed my Live Rock and placed it in a bucket with some water from the tank...

Next, I started to remove some rock...In doing so...THIS HAPPENED:

Turns out the paint came off the rock and turned my water into Cool-Aid!

Upsetting??? You bet your ass...

1 entire month of work down the F%&KING drain. I smiled because atleast I saved the Live Rock!


So what happens now... Well after cleaning the tank out completely and giving it a good bath. I remembered I had went and brought:

So I started to wipe down the tank and I figured it was a good time to paint the back glass.

As I applied the first coat...it was horrible. The paint didn't stick well to the glass at all. However, 3 coats in to it...and we have

So this being said...

The paint is currently drying and I will mix some new water tomorrow and add the Live Rock back in with **NEW** Crushed Coral and get this tank started all over again.

So if anyone is reading this that hasn't started their tank yet...please note: *don't buy the bull#### walmart rocks and put sand or crushed coral on top*


After 7 hours of running around and fixing this mess I started, I sat back and put my laptop on my lap and something good in my hand

Will the Live Rock be alright just sitting in a bucket of SaltWater until tomorrow...with no filter or anything?

 

[CageUK]

What a major pain!

If I were you I would put a heater and a powerhead in the water with the LR, then it should be fine.

Hope it all works out.

 

[pimp4cheddar]

What a major pain!

If I were you I would put a heater and a powerhead in the water with the LR, then it should be fine.

Hope it all works out.

A pain it was...

I actually have a heater and regular filter. I haven't brought a powerhead yet. Atleast I was able to paint the back glass without having to worry about the water inside!!!


For lunch today, I'm buying my crushed coral. So when I get home, I'm mixing my salt into the water, adding my crushed coral and then adding my live rock with my heater. It should cycle pretty quick...anyone have a guesstimate?

 

[shibby]

seems like a major pain! good job your coming through it well, alcohol is the answer

cycling is generally from a few weeks to months depending on how cured yoru rock is, if its fully cured you can pretty much effectively clone a tank.

 

[kj23502]

Hi,

Just make sure you have good water movement over and through the rocks. If they don't have the movement they need the bacteria will start to die and it won't be as cycled as it once was.



Kj

 

[kj23502]

This will be interesting. I'll be watching

I'm working on a 29 gallon tank

 

[pimp4cheddar]

Okay...so I finally started my tank over again last night.

I mixed the saltwater, added the sand and then added the Live Rock.

Everything is pretty much clearing up right now. I'll post pics when I get home.



FEW QUESTIONS:

Should I have waited to add the Live Rock or was it ok to do at startup?

Since the saltwater is at a perfect level, the sand is settled and the Live Rock is in the tank...should I add BIOZINE to help cycle the tank faster?


Thanks,