BRAND NEW. Got a 12 G Nanocube. Help me set it up

[misskeeter2766]

I've researched this for a good 2 years in anticipation of beginning, but now that I have the nanocube home (still in the box I might add), I seem to have forgotten everything. lol. I guess I am scared of screwing something up and wasting money. SO... My plan is to get live rock from my LFS. I plan on about 12-15 pounds. I also have a bag of live sand that is 20 pounds.
The live rock that I am getting is actually in their tank already, so should I add it and then the sand, or sand first? I plan on giving the tank a minimum of two weeks for cycling before I even try to add anything.

Is this a good plan for now?
what else do I need to get that I may be forgetting?

thanks!! Im paranoid because of my fish only saltwater tank that crashed and burned 3 years ago. Haven't tried to touch saltwater since, and never done a reef.

[melosu58]

I just want you to know that doing a tank that small will not be easy. Smaller water volumes are less forgiving when problems arise but the good news is that it is doable. You will need to be very diligent and move slowly on adding livestock. Water tests need to be done often so as to keep water parameters in check. One important thing I see is that you said you will give your tank 2 weeks to cycle. You can not put a time limit on it. It might take longer and it might not but only your water test kits will tell you for sure. Make up your mind that you are going to be patient and whenever it`s done it`s done. Alot of folks rush things and their tank suffers because of it. Good luck on your tank and remember it`s not when you think it`s ready but when your water test say it`s ready. Read our article on SW cycling. It`s a must read.

[Mitchell0605]

Firstly, welcome to AA.
Secondly, I recommend adding the LR first and fooling around with it for a few days to get an aquascape that you really like. Then add the sand. Sand last because you want your rock to sit on the bottom of the tank and not the sand. Mostly because if you get a burrowing invert or fish then a rock-collapse could ensue.

[Aquarium1]

Originally Posted by Mitchell0605

Firstly, welcome to AA.
Secondly, I recommend adding the LR first and fooling around with it for a few days to get an aquascape that you really like. Then add the sand. Sand last because you want your rock to sit on the bottom of the tank and not the sand. Mostly because if you get a burrowing invert or fish then a rock-collapse could ensue.

+1

[misskeeter2766]

Oh I will absolutely go VERY slowly... I'm talking one fish, coral, invert.. whatever at a time... I was meaning that I will give the tank AT LEAST two weeks to cycle... I will do water checks all the time ... Im pretty OCD, so I will probably be obsessively checking it. LOL...

Here's another question... what should be the first thing I add once the tank is ready?? I mean ... give me a specific critter that would be perfect for my tank and for me as a beginner? I am open to whatever fish/corals I can keep that would be happy in the tank... I do want a clownfish... I just think they are so friendly and cheerful... I'd like something for it to host in too.. I am pretty sure that even the deluxe nanocube is lacking lighting for an anenome... but I've seen them wallowing around in mushrooms and zoos before...

[Zer0]

Well, once the tank is done cycling you could definitely add a fish, and you could start to build up your clean-up-crew. Which are inverts that clean your tank for you. Also, clownfish do not need something to host, and most likely won't. So i wouldn't get your hopes up. They have been known on occasions to host things like hammer coral, frogspawn, coral like that.. but still it's a big hit or miss. I definitely wouldn't recommend a nem in a tank that small, and since your tank is just starting up, definitely no nems. Nems need an established tank of at least one year of age, and completely stable with the least amount of water fluctuations possible, and water flucts are a given in new tanks.

[misskeeter2766]

Oh I know they don't need something. I just thought it would be cute... and if it doesnt want to host in anything, then I won't be heartbroken. LOL. I'm pretty easygoing as far as expectations... I care more about having a healthy and happy tank than wanting specific things to go in it at the moment.