my saltwater tank setup

[Landlocked]

Some day I would like a mandarine fish as well... but you need a huge tank and LOTS of rock to grow its food... pods... not sure what a pod is... (but I have read extensivly on these fellas

'Pods' are small creatures that sometimes plague tanks. They are very small, bordering on the microscopic. They will eat all sorts of things in your tank. They aren't dangerous themselves, but, if allowed to grow and reproduce, they can literally drown a tank with their sheer numbers.

Mandarins eat these pods, but they need copious amounts, and they're always feeding. In order to keep one, you need to have had your tank up for at least 6 months, so that these pods can set up a permanent colony in the rocks. That way, when you get your mandarin, you will have a food supply that won't run out right away.

Mandarins (also known as dragonets) aren't that hard to keep, except for their food requirements. They need good water quality and at least 50 gallons.

Most gobies will not bother invertebrates. There are always isolated individuals that will attack, but most are peaceful to the invertebrates.

Good luck!

 

[kristine bean]

Most gobies will not bother invertebrates. There are always isolated individuals that will attack, but most are peaceful to the invertebrates.

Good luck!

Well thats a relief! I guess I'll ask in the fish store if a bi-color blenny and watchman goby will get along or not. I'm going there tomorrow to get snails.

 

[Landlocked]

I think that gobies and blennies get along, but I'm not too sure about that. . .
I don't want to get flamed if I'm wrong. . .

Better ask at your fish store.

 

[crimsontsavo]

It is always so exciting to watch people set up a new tank!!!

I wish you muchos good luck with yours.
Make sure to post more pictures as you progress!
MmmMMmmm... Saltwater.

 

[kristine bean]

okay i went to get my snails today, and asked there about the goby & blenny and they said it would be fine.

 

[ostrow]

wish i'd seen this earlier. you'll be just fine!

NO BUMBLEBEE SNAILS!!! I've gotten 2 out of my tank into my sump, the 3rd is elusive, and wreaking havoc. See here:
http/reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.p...umblebee+snails

You don't want them. They have devastated my snail population and may have killed an emerald crab.

 

[Landlocked]

NO BUMBLEBEE SNAILS!!! I've gotten 2 out of my tank into my sump, the 3rd is elusive, and wreaking havoc. See here:
http/reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.p...umblebee+snails

You don't want them. They have devastated my snail population and may have killed an emerald crab.

I have two in my tank. They're nice and small, and they're not causing any problems . . .

I can't get to your link! It says that I'm not logged in. . . Help?

 

[kristine bean]

2 late, i got 5 bees

they dont seem to be doing any harm thus far.......they are......uhh kinda sitting around.......being snails at the moment.

You're saying these itty bitty creatures attack other inverts??

 

[Landlocked]

You're saying these itty bitty creatures attack other inverts??

They do not! I have them in with my Xenia, and they're doing fine! All they do is eat algae off of my live rock and the sides of my tank. Nothing else!

 

[RamJet]

If those are plastic plants, take them out! The salt will dry the plastic out and the plastic will crumble, your fish and critters will eat the small pieces and die. If you want to go reef, you will have to get better lighting, use only RO water and lots of live rock. Most live rock comes cured, so as long as you dont waiste any time getting it home you can just put it in your tank. Do a 10% water change a week later just in case you do have some die off on the rock. I have a 75 gal. with around 200lbs. of live rock in it. Also get a power head and put it down lower behind the rock so you have good water flow around it. I also have both hermits and snails, you just need to restock your snails every now and then. Get a brittle star and a crab( sally light foot or green emerald crab) Others will eat your corals and such. Good luck, oh and by the way your boyfriend just cursed you by getting you the tank, it will rule your life. Kiss your extra money goodbye! I have spent over $5000.00 in the last two years on this insane hobbie, and I am only half way there. Enjoy.

 

[kristine bean]

whats RO water?? "real ocean"??

 

[RamJet]

reverse osmosis- drinking water, it still has trace elements (minerals) in it. You can get 5 gallon bottles from any pure water supplier, my local super mart has them, they also have a self serve machine, I pay 25 cents a gallon. If you use this, you will not have to worry about importing disease through your water supply, nor will you have to treat the water for chemicals, just add salt and go.
I look at it as cheap insurance.

 

[Landlocked]

You could also use a tap water dechlorinator, RamJet. This isn't as good as RO water, but it does neutralize chlorine, chloramine, and ammonia. You can also buy home RO units, if you have a large tank and don't want to have to keep going out to the store for water.

Just a note: If you go to the store for your water, be sure you're getting purified water, not spring water. Spring water is NOT purified.

200 lbs. of live rock in a 75 gallon? Wow. . .

 

[kristine bean]

Okay well I took the plants out and I'm going to get some live rock today.