Tank 2 redo

[Helios]

So i found an entirely dident cabinet with stuff in it. I've found enough salt to do 80 gallons and a 30 lb bag of aragonite sand. I also found a bag of what looks like gravel but says its for salt aquariums. I included a pic. Any thoughts on this?

I also found 3 smallish power heads. There are 2 aqueon 660s and one 550 and an additional HOB filter. I should have enough flow now correct? What directions should I point the flow?

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[Helios]

Sorry Here's a pic of the gravel stuff.

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[Macscale]

Seems to be some kind of crushed coral.

The tank is 29gallons correct? Yes, that's enough flow, just stick the 660s in there on opposite ends of the tank.

 

[mr_X]

Don't use that large grain gravel. It will trap detritus (uneaten food and fish poop) and will eventually cause you problems. It will require regular maintenance. I suggest smaller grain sand.
As for the power heads, can you take a picture of them? I'm not familiar with an aqueon 660.
Do they look like this-
Aqueon Circulation Aquarium Pumps at PETCO

Or this-
Amazon.com: Marineland PH0660 Penguin Power Head 660, 170GPH: Pet Supplies

 

[Helios]

Okay. Didn't use the gravel between the new sand I found and the sand I cleaned I had more then enough. The power heads are from the bottom link. Included a pic. The one doesn't have a sponge on it. Well that be a problem?

Once all the salt gets dissolved and I get rock in I'll take a pic. I think it's coming around.

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[mr_X]

No...I was going to tell you to get rid of the sponges anyway.

 

[Helios]

Okay. Pics after day 1 of cleaning. I know is cloudy but you get the idea. Thoughts on the aquascaping?



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[BigRedsReefs10]

Looks good, quite a change

 

[Helios]

Took some rocks from the cichlid tank to make the piles a little higher. Thoughts?

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[Helios]

Okay new questions now that the tank is at least together. I want a CUC, soft coals, and fish in this tank. What order should I get these and any suggestions for something easy to care for and active?

CUC: I did find 1 red legged hermit crab and 2 snails in the tank while I was cleaning it. I'd like them to go back in the tank but obviously will need more. Any suggestions?

Fish: I have a 4 line damsel that is beautiful but is in another tank so she doesn't really need to go in this one. I love flame angels. Thinking some sort of goby maybe a watchman or citrus. Maybe a dottyback. Maybe something blue. I don't know. I want something fairly active and really colorful. Suggestions? I'm not a huge fan of clowns. I think they're overdone.

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[mr_X]

You don't need any crabs and snails in this tank if you don't want them. They really don't clean up anything and you will have to provide food for them. If there is no food in the tank they will starve to death. Hermit crabs kill snails out of instinct.
If you like crabs and snails, get a couple/few of them, and not the ridiculous amounts they recommend.
As for the order of things, I would add fish, one at a time. After the addition of a new fish, the bacteria colony will have to grow to accommodate. Corals can be added at any time after the cycle IMO.

 

[Helios]

How long does it take to cycle a tank? I realize that's a loaded question, but I tested my waste this morning:

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
pH 8.4

I'm pretty sure the tank can't already be cycled but I did reuse everything it just got rinsed so maybe?

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[mr_X]

Add a little pure ammonia to the tank and see how long it takes to process it.

 

[Macscale]

Yeah, you must add an ammonia source.

 

[Helios]

Where do I get pure ammonia from?

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[Macscale]

Hardware store.

 

[Helios]

How much should I put in the tank to see how its cycling?

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[mr_X]

I would put a few drops in and test. Bring it up to noticeable levels. 1ppm maybe. A couple/few drops should be plenty.

 

[Helios]

Okay I added it around 7:30 when I got here. If I check it at the end of the day 4:30ish, will that be a long enough time frame to tell?

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[BigRedsReefs10]

Give it about 24 hours from when you dosed it.