if i wanted to change my freshwater 36g

[bskerrichard27]

I would lose the plastic plants in sw imo ...but great start

 

[jwalsh]

I dosed to 4ppm

 

[Terrance]

It will be just LR for a year until the water has stabilized, I don't plan on really carrying over anything from my other tank. I want a coral reef tank. Maybe a few fish but mainly corals.

Ok so you have at least 40 pounds of live rocks in the tank with a powerhead or circulation pump moving the water. No HOB or canister filters. You didn't have a heater? Get one please.

Try to get all your base and live rocks now. This is the best time for curing them, so you don't even need the ammonia. The dead stuff coming off the rocks will supply you with ammonia. Do water changes if ammonia gets really high. IMHO ammonia should never be above 3ppm.

 

[Torrie]

I just put them in cause they had algae growing on them. Yea there not staying

 

[Torrie]

Yes I have a heater

 

[mr_X]

Eventually, you'll need to either moderately feed your crabs/shrimp/snails, or get a fish. The bacteria colony you'll have after the cycle will need to be fed in order to stay alive.

 

[Torrie]

I had planned on a small clean up crew but that's about it.

 

[mr_X]

Then you'll have to add food for them. I'm sure you were going to do this anyway, right?

 

[Torrie]

Lol nope I planned on starving them. J/k yes I plan on feeding them. I don't put them in until after the cycle right?

 

[mr_X]

Yes, after the cycle. A cycle is hard on livestock.

 

[Torrie]

Why not use a hob filter

 

[mr_X]

I don't know. Who said not to use one?

 

[Torrie]

Go figure a Petco associate.. I didn't think they were right. I thought it would also cause water movement since it is basically a waterfall.

 

[mr_X]

Just make sure the bottom of the filter is under water so that you don't make a bunch of bubbles. If so, you'll have a salty mess all over everything.

 

[Torrie]

Do I needto worry about snails and shrimp climbing into it?

 

[jwalsh]

Ehh I've had a snail climb into my filter once but it was through the output so no big deal. Just check the filter once in awhile to see if there is anything in there

 

[Torrie]

Ok thanks for everyones help I think I have it. Just wanted to make sure..

 

[jwalsh]

And get a bigger filter than your tank is rated for. So your tank is 36 get one rated for 50 or 75 gal I have a 75 gal filter on my 29 galon tank.

 

[Torrie]

Ok thanks

 

[Torrie]

What is the best lighting schedule?