Update!
Cycle is done or mostly done based on which test kit you believe. I never added ammonia to this tank, but the clay I used released small amounts over time.
I've done a couple of water changes in this tank so far and its gratifyingly easy changing such a small amount.
I originally was unsure if I was going to need a heater for this tank since in my reading of other people's journals they mention things like needing fans for these small tanks. Unfortunately my temperature was maxing out at around 69 degrees in this tank, so if I wanted to hit the 72 to 78 I see mentioned for most corals, I need a heater.
I ended up with this little guy and put him in the pump return chamber in the back. It fits down low enough that it never gets exposed to the air, even during water changes.
Meanwhile the macro algae I bought is not looking too hot. The ends of the plant were turning a brighter color, which I thought was new growth, until I noticed some parts were turning completely pale. Soooo I guess I was killing/am killing it/it was damaged in transport. Not really sure which or even if its still happening (vs stalling out) but I decided I would get some more and get it from someone local so I could know whether or not it was an issue with shipping.
That proved to be VERY easy and earlier today I added a gigantic (for this tank) softball sized group of flat leaf gracilaria to the tank.
Meanwhile I picked up a duncan from the same seller. This is my very first coral, so I am a bit excited. I dipped it when I got home following the sellers instructions and then it was time to install.
I hate the look of frag plugs in a tank, so I used my spiffy new bone cutters to remove it from the plug, then I super glued it to a piece of rock. The super gluing process ended up being more difficult then I thought it would (I thought it would grab quicker underwater) but next time I will do better. Either way, a few hours later the coral was open and looking quite nice!
I now have an absurd amount of macro algae in the tank. I will let it go for a week or so and see if it appears to be doing well. If it does, I will remove the unwanted bits and just keep what I like.
Cycle is done or mostly done based on which test kit you believe. I never added ammonia to this tank, but the clay I used released small amounts over time.
I've done a couple of water changes in this tank so far and its gratifyingly easy changing such a small amount.
I originally was unsure if I was going to need a heater for this tank since in my reading of other people's journals they mention things like needing fans for these small tanks. Unfortunately my temperature was maxing out at around 69 degrees in this tank, so if I wanted to hit the 72 to 78 I see mentioned for most corals, I need a heater.
I ended up with this little guy and put him in the pump return chamber in the back. It fits down low enough that it never gets exposed to the air, even during water changes.
Meanwhile the macro algae I bought is not looking too hot. The ends of the plant were turning a brighter color, which I thought was new growth, until I noticed some parts were turning completely pale. Soooo I guess I was killing/am killing it/it was damaged in transport. Not really sure which or even if its still happening (vs stalling out) but I decided I would get some more and get it from someone local so I could know whether or not it was an issue with shipping.
That proved to be VERY easy and earlier today I added a gigantic (for this tank) softball sized group of flat leaf gracilaria to the tank.
Meanwhile I picked up a duncan from the same seller. This is my very first coral, so I am a bit excited. I dipped it when I got home following the sellers instructions and then it was time to install.
I hate the look of frag plugs in a tank, so I used my spiffy new bone cutters to remove it from the plug, then I super glued it to a piece of rock. The super gluing process ended up being more difficult then I thought it would (I thought it would grab quicker underwater) but next time I will do better. Either way, a few hours later the coral was open and looking quite nice!
I now have an absurd amount of macro algae in the tank. I will let it go for a week or so and see if it appears to be doing well. If it does, I will remove the unwanted bits and just keep what I like.