new tank setup

[pat8you]

When you top off your tank to the water level you want to keep it at and the salinity you want it at make a mark on your sump in sharpy at the water line so you always know how much RO water to add back in.

If you still have ammonia then i would hold off adding the clean up crew still. It will probably just kill most of them.

 

[rncarter]

I don't have a sump so I mark the water level on the tank. The LFS told me not to add any fish or crabs to the tank so I just added more rocks.

 

[rncarter]

Well Well...I think my skimmer is "breaking in" the foam is coming in at a slow but acceptable rate. The water in the skimmer is a light shade of green. In addition, I think I have a baby starfish in my tank it is always on the glass.

 

[thincat]

Well, that and a pound of potatos will get you a meal. Just kidding, you will be amazed at the life that you will find in your tank in the coming months.
check here:Live Rock Hitch Hikers

 

[Tryin2layadime]

Okay….so here is my game plan since I already fill my tank with water. I will let it continue to run and once the water condition is optimal. I will introduce a few damsels and maybe hermit crabs. Then if all goes well after a month I should be in a much better financial position to buy some:

Live rocks, Powerheads

And then if that work our well introduce a few more fish.
Any suggestion / Comments?

i bought my powerhead 425 off marinedepot.com for 34 shipped. they have some 750s for 43 shipped check them out there great to buy from.

its a hydro kano nano or some crap like that lol.

Well after 7 days my tank water is so clear it sometimes look like there is no water inside. I had the LFS check the water quality yesterday and they said everything is good. I am thinking about putting some hermit crabs today to help with the cycle for another week.

and id wait 21 more days man. i started my tank 3 months ago and i went in there a week in to the lfs and the readings were perfect but then i had a spike in all area's so id wait honestly.



how much are you buying your LR for per pound? i still havent bought any and i need to badly.

 

[rncarter]

how much are you buying your LR for per pound? i still havent bought any and i need to badly.

I pay between $5-$7 per lbs for my LRs that is the cheapest I can get it here in Springfield, MA

 

[rncarter]

Today is day 14 of my new FOWLR tank. I haven't bought my much needed test kit yet. However, I went the the LFS and my PH is 8.0, all other chemical level had a 0.0 reading except my ammonia which is at 0.5 I put some hermit crab in the tank today. I will get the ammonia level tested again within the next few days.

 

[thincat]

Cycle is not over yet. Ammonia will go down and nitrites will go up followed by Nitrites going down and your nitrates going up. Without a test kit you are missing one of the most informative part of this Hobby. As well as giving you time to pratice taking water readings.

 

[melosu58]

In addition, I think I have a baby starfish in my tank it is always on the glass.

Do they look like these. They are just Asternia stars. I have many in my tank.

 

[rncarter]

yes, that is the type of starfish i have on the glass.

 

[rncarter]

I saw a dead hermit crab in my btank this morning when I was already dressed for work. Now I am worried that this may cause my ammonia level to raise.

 

[thincat]

It may be just the crab molting. No need to worry about it.

 

[rncarter]

I bought 3 Chromis today, I did the "drip" acclimatization method now they are in my tank.

 

[thincat]

Great, are these your first fish? That is a very exciting step in our hoppby. Keep tabs on your ammonia/nitrite levels for a few days. I don't think you will have a raise in it, but it's a good habit to get into when adding fish.

 

[rncarter]

These are my first SW fish.

 

[Tryin2layadime]

i almost bought a chocolate chip star fish today.

 

[rncarter]

The concern I have with these chromis is that they are always hiding behind the rock. I see them swimming from a distance but as soon as i approach the tank they go hiding.

 

[Ziggy953]

They will settle down and be out when you are near the tank.