Starting Out... Again!

[HappyGeorge]

Ok journal read mate nice to see it being kept up to date every step of the way.

Going back in your journal a bit I think you would be wise to look at rock from the classifieds or fleabay, will also pm you another good source that may help.

I have bought all my rock from tank breakdowns, my nano was 10kg from a breakdown of a display tank at an LFS but since then I have bought nearly 200kg and it's all been from others, you do risk nasty hitchikers but no more than anything you buy from the LFS and you often get some nice freebies along for the ride, most of my CUC came free with the rock as if someones breaking a tank they can't keep it and even if they sold most of the cuc on there will still be a few on the rock. I have also been lucky in never having a cycle, and if you can get the rock from a tank that is still running and transport it in water you have a great chance of the same happening, never lost so much as a snail during a rock move and re-homing.

 

[jlane1980]

The sand bed really depends on what you intend on keeping if you have a jawfish they need 3inches or a goby shrimp pair need 2inches but if your not keeping any fish that bury in the sand bed then I think 1inch-2 would be fine

What do you mean by Goby shrimp pair?? I like the idea, if it's what i think it is! This may help me, slightly, for the next post in my journal!

 

[weezawoo]

look up goby shrimp pair on youtube, the goby and shrimp basically live in the same hole and work together, pretty cool!

 

[jlane1980]

OK, as i've mentioned i have a bit more time now, before i start (at least another month, i'd say). So... as Seffie said, it'll give me more time to plan, plan, plan! Also, i can look around for any bargains, compare prices etc. So i thought i'd compile my wish list, with things i need, things i'd like, CUC and Stocking plans. This, of course, will be a constantly evolving list, as and when i buy things. Also, it's inevitable that i've missed things off the list that i need. So please, feel free to comment, criticise and ridicule me over my choices. I'm guessing the stocking section may be the most changing part!

So....

My wish list/shopping list.

Items i NEED.

Salt
Live Rock (15-20kg)
Powerhead (minimum 1900lph)
API Salt Water master test kit.
Sand (White coral sand)
Refractometer
TDS Meter

Items i WANT (no rush to buy)

Skimmer

CUC

Any Suggestions??

Stocking

Pair of Percula Clowns
Regal Tang
I like the sound of the Goby/Shrimp pair, but i'm waiting for more info.
Coral Wise; I'd like to mainly get zoas, i think you can get some amazing ones, particularly some of the ones listed on THIS SITE. But, again, i'm looking for advice and guidance on how to get the most out of these, and whether they'd be compatible with my tank.

Peace Out

Jon

edit - 1: some appalling spelling!
edit - 2: Regal Tang dropped from the list, incompatible
edit - 3: Refractometer and TDS meter added to list

 

[jlane1980]

look up goby shrimp pair on youtube, the goby and shrimp basically live in the same hole and work together, pretty cool!

OK... Done... goby/shrimp combo, definately going on the want list now, that's so cool!!

Just as a weird side note, Why do Saddam Hussain and Osama Bin Laden have their own smileys?? ( sama: :saddam Seems a little odd to me!

What kind of Forum have i joined!

 

[MrLiam]

Ummm I hate to have to be the first one to tell you but a regal tang needs minium 5ft 6ft preferably.

But you could have one of the smaller angel fish.

 

[jlane1980]

Ummm I hate to have to be the first one to tell you but a regal tang needs minium 5ft 6ft preferably.

But you could have one of the smaller angel fish.

OK, cool, thank you. I'm a little disappointed, but i'd rather know, than not know!

Ref the Shrimp/Goby pairing, does it have to be any particular type of shrimp/goby? Do certain pairings work better than others?

 

[MrLiam]

If you google shrimp gobies then you should get a list as some goby will not pair but there is a lot that will

 

[jlane1980]

OK, thanks MrL.

Any suggestions on CUC? How much am i likely to need for a pretty small tank?

 

[MrLiam]

Its best to start out with a small amount and build up to meet your requirements.4 red leg hermits

If I remember correctly its a 620t so I would go for
4 red leg hermits
4 turbo snails
4 nass snails
a couple cerith

maybe a week or two later 2 cleaner shrimp and maybe a conch aswell.

 

[weezawoo]

Add a refractometer and tds meter to the list. Even if you are buying RO water from the shop you want your own tds meter to check it is at 0!

Zoas are good! Love them! Zoaphoria are good for some frags.

You could have a royal gramma, nice colours?

Im going for a yasha goby with a candy cane shrimp

And it is weird they have their own smilies

 

[jlane1980]

Hi,
I've made another post in the coral section, about my lighting, and whether it's suitable for the corals i'd like to keep.

Please follow this link to the post.

As a side note, i've just realised i can access this forum at work! Oh well, i can say good bye to getting any work done!

 

[jlane1980]

Still waiting!!!

I hate waiting, but i'm still looking, researching and bl**dy WAITING!!! (Not to mention Pestering my mentor, guru and assigned buddy HappyGeorge!)

Question: I've looked at a different forum (sorry ), and i've read about people seeding their own live rock. By buying cheaper 'dead' rock or coral skeletons, and setting up their tank with the dead rock and a smaller amount of live rock, to speed up the seeding process.

Now, apart from the obviously larger amount of time it would take to establish a cycle, is there anything else i'd need to know? I'm not thinking of doing it, just exploring my options! I quite like the idea of doing everything i possibly can on my own. I realise, also, that money saving and marine fish keeping are normally NOT two phrases that normally go together! And i also realise that by trying to save money, you may also cut corners, which could have potentially disastrous consequences!

Peace Out

Jon

P.S. I'm going to add this to the main forum too, not many people look at my journal!!!

 

[seffieuk]

P.S. I'm going to add this to the main forum too, not many people look at my journal!!!

You have 535 views on your journel that sugggests lots of people are following your progress, some people are shy and dont post if they dont know the answer to your questions.

People do indeed buy reef bones (dead live rock, dead coral) and live rock to start their tanks. It can be a good way of starting a tank if all live rock is beyond your reach. However, I would rather wait until I could buy mostly live rock with a bit of reef bones or better still all live rock

Seffie x

 

[HappyGeorge]

I would be happy adding a small amount of reef bones maybe 20% if you get nicely established LR or even a few bits of Ocean rock under the base but you can't include that in your final calculation for the amount required for the tank as it isn't porous enough to provide decent filtering. If you do then I would aim to add some more LR later or at least buy corals that are attached to reasonable sized bits which will gradually increase the amount in there.