How slow/fast can I grow?

[Spick]

I've had my 35 G tank cycled now for 2 months, all my parameters read at 0ppm. My salinity is at 1.024, I havent tested my calcium, since i dont have a tester (yet), however i add one spoon (leveled) twice a week. My Corals seem to be doing fine (Frogspawn, Open Brain, Bubble Brain Coral), and the fish seem healthy as well, Yellow Tang (which might have a litle bit of ick), but my Cleaner Shrimp takes care of him quite well. Also HAD a 3 stripwe damsel, but gave to my friend who is currently cycling, because i added to clowns.

Now my questions is, I am eager to get going and speed the process up, I know patience is the best, but are there any additives that will speed up the coraline growth? I've heard a protein Skimmer will help, don't have one YET. I have 47 lbs of LR and 3 fish, how amny more fish can i put in my 35 G? Any help of suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks

[zhenya]

Hi Spick,

I've had my 35 G tank cycled now for 2 months, all my parameters read at 0ppm. My salinity is at 1.024, I havent tested my calcium, since i dont have a tester (yet), however i add one spoon (leveled) twice a week.

I would strongly advise not to add anything untill you test your water and determine that you need to add something. Also, I would slowly raise the salinity to 35ppm(1.025-1.026 specific gravity).

My Corals seem to be doing fine (Frogspawn, Open Brain, Bubble Brain Coral), and the fish seem healthy as well, Yellow Tang (which might have a litle bit of ick), but my Cleaner Shrimp takes care of him quite well. Also HAD a 3 stripwe damsel, but gave to my friend who is currently cycling, because i added to clowns.

Well, if your yellow tang has Ich, it can hardly be called healthy. At the risk of being picky, I have to add that keeping tangs in any aquarium less than 55-75g is risky and is stressful to the fish.
Another thing is that most people are going away from is cycling tanks with fish, it is unethical and needlesly cruel in my honest opinion.

Now my questions is, I am eager to get going and speed the process up, I know patience is the best, but are there any additives that will speed up the coraline growth? I've heard a protein Skimmer will help, don't have one YET. I have 47 lbs of LR and 3 fish, how amny more fish can i put in my 35 G? Any help of suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks

My one and probably the most useful suggestion would be to get one or two books on keeping successful reef aquarium( check our bookstore ) and invest in good quality test kits, LaMotte and Salifert are two of the best.
Getting good protein skimmer will help and I consider it necessary piece of equipment.
As far as getting more fish, I think you you got just about all that your present size tank can handle, so do not add any new fish. Sit and enjoy your tank for a while, let it mature and perhaps later you add some more corals if you wish. The coralline will come in time, your tank is simply too new to have much of it.

[Spick]

Thnx for the suggestions and comments.....

I know keeping a Yellow Tang in anything smaller the 55G is risky, and could stress the fish out, however he does have lots of swimming room. Is there any other Tang i could get in a 35 G. I was thiking of eventually a couple months or so adding a Regal Tang. If my tank is too small to hold one Tang, i guess two tangs would be out of the question?

As for my Tang having Ich.... i beleive his ich has gone away, i beleive it is because i got rid of the Damsel, as it might have been causing some territory problems. He does seem alot more healthy now for sure.

I will take your advise and sit and enjoyo my tank for the next couple months, no doubt. however i was going to make one more addition before letting it sit for a couple months. I was hoping on getting a Bubble Anenome for my two clowns, whaqt do you think?

[szwedo]

anemones require extreme ligting and the regal tang grows really big. you might eventualy even have to remove the yellow tang too.

[zhenya]

anemones require extreme ligting and the regal tang grows really big. you might eventualy even have to remove the yellow tang too.

Very well put szwedo, you saved me some time typing
Seriously though, keeping fish like the tangs require much larger tanks. Keeping one in the 35g tank is just..well, unethical. I know that we all have done it at one time or another, we all started in the hobby at one time without degree in marine biology. This is why boards like this are great and can do so much for our beloved hobby.
Getting back to the tangs, like very good friend of mine said once, they need at least a 50ft long tank to be happy. Again, not to take this to extreme, anyhting smaller than 55 or a 100g tank should be way too small for one tang, nevermind another one.

[Spick]

Appreciate the advice. I know i was told once that a Tang would need atleast a 55G tank, but like you said, we've all done it. I do plan on upgrading tanks eventually... my next tank should be a 65 G.

Now i have a quick question..... my corals are doing fine, but i'd like to feed them with a seringe. Right now they're feeding of the calcium i give them. what actual food can i feed them (Frogspawn, Open Brain, Bubble Brain)?

[zhenya]

Appreciate the advice. I know i was told once that a Tang would need atleast a 55G tank, but like you said, we've all done it. I do plan on upgrading tanks eventually... my next tank should be a 65 G.

Now i have a quick question..... my corals are doing fine, but i'd like to feed them with a seringe. Right now they're feeding of the calcium i give them. what actual food can i feed them (Frogspawn, Open Brain, Bubble Brain)?

Hi Spick,

I think you would be much better off by catching your tang and returning it to the store but it is up to you.
Now, for the second part of your question. Corals need more than just calcium for actual feeding/food. They need proper calcium and alkalinity levels for laying new skeleton matrix but they need real food for the energy to do so. I'll post a few links to the articles for you to read, read them becouse they will help you understand better the needs of the corals and reef in general. Also, I have to repeat that getting a few books would go far in helping you to understand what's needed to keep a Marine aquarium.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-07/eb/index.htm
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-08/eb/index.htm
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-10/eb/index.htm
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-12/eb/index.htm
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-01/eb/index.htm
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-03/eb/index.htm
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-04/eb/index.htm

Happy reading, I hope this answers your questions about feeding corals.