My Very 1st Saltwater Aquarium... 24gal biocube :}

[Vampyrk1]

What to do what to do... being a salty virgin, i have set it up with new live sand and ro water from below sea level been running since the first of the year.. sure will be glad to start adding things in :}

 

[teddy13]

on a brand new tank they reccomend you let it go thru a cxycle of about a month prior to placing livestock in. you can put in liverock for the cycle and some reccomend a cheap fish such as a chromis or a molly (this have to be acclimated to saltwater and can live a long time in it) ..once the tank has cycled you can start adding things a little at a time.

 

[TechDiver]

You can add a raw shrimp in the tank to cycle instead of adding a fish. It is hard on the fish during the cycle.

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

Like Marcus said,use a table shrimp to help the cycle.I always do water changes while the tank is cycling.Did you use dried rock or liverock.If you used dried rock,get a piece of liverock to help establish good bacteria,that will help the cycle.

 

[nanodoc]

i used a cup of sand from my old tank to seed my new tank
i also asked for a cup from a friend who has a nice tank (so I know his params must be good)

 

[TechDiver]

Post some photos showing your progression.

 

[Vampyrk1]

i did post the pictures.. they showed up the first day now gone.. will try again

 

[Vampyrk1]

 

[Vampyrk1]

this week i will be adding some dead rock and some live rock after getting a little help on how to set the rock up for maximum visual pleasure and maximum happy fishdom!

 

[tatorswife]

Looks good so far..welcome to the addiction lol

 

[TechDiver]

Is your stand a refrigerator? That would be convenient if it is.

 

[Cruezn]

I'd add some live rock, even if just a couple pounds, as that'll definitely kickstart your tank. With live sand, and live rock, you could start lightly stocking right away, especially if you start with your corals first. I would either use TechDivers suggestion of a piece of shrimp, or wait until your ammonia drops to 0.00 to add a fish. Damsels are pretty tough, and you can cycle with them, but then you have to catch the darn things to get rid of them. That is unless you are one of those SadoMasichists that like damsels... Seriously though, live rock will speed up the process incredibly.

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

The tank looks good,with the 150 sunpod you will be able to keep about any coral you want.The black sand really stands out.

 

[nanodoc]

DON'T get a damsel!
they are territorial, they even nip at me when I clean the tank.Eats all the food for other fish and coral. Can't catch him, lives forever. I have mine since 2008
if you want to "test" the water, IMO a chromis might be a better choice

 

[teddy13]

hey no don't hate on the damsels. there are a few nice ones.. loljust stay clear of the convict onesthey are mean

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

Hey Paul,get a pair of clowns to take care of a damsel.My yellow tail damsel got to close to my female who was attending to her eggs,she grabbed the damsel by it's fin and pulled into the anemone.The damsel didn't have a chance.

 

[05grandprix]

I like that Snakeman

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

I just wished I had a video camera when it happened.

 

[cschumaker]

I've thought it would be interesting to fill a good sized tank with a mess load of damsels and chromis. Would be the saltwater version of a cichlid tank LOL

 

[nanodoc]

my maroon clown (from TenUhC) is scared of the damsel, even though he is bigger. Wonder if I get another maroon clown they will be more agressive