Starting my 35 gallon.

[rluix]

Yep, i finnaly did it, i got to transform my 35 gallon tank to a marine tank, after cleanning it like a bull (no chemicals).
Right now the lights are a sun glo and a aqua glo pair of t8's, wich the only one good in there would be the aqua-glo (Blueish one) wich has hight photosintetic(?) levels.
Im planning on buying a Marine-glo and power-glo pair to replace them, i hear both of those are great for reefs.
I ordered a Protein skimmer just some minutes ago and twin pumps for the circulation, im using my old filter as a temporary fix for the circulation.
So far results of the tests, (1 day):
Nitrite: 0
pH: 8.5
Nitrate: 0
Ammonia: 0
Salinity: 1.026

I added some food to the tank so i have a good source of ammonia for the beneficial bacteria.

Photos:



Anything else i should now , would come handy now, thanks!

[rluix]

Bump. I would like some opinions and sugestions D:

[ToddTT]

Lots of useful info here, if you haven't read it already:

Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium

What kind of food? A single piece of raw shrimp should work well, and is easily removed after it has performed its job (creating ammonia).

Curing live rock in your tank at this time would also help out the cycle.

Will you have a sump?

When do you plan on adding livestock? (trick question ;))

[rluix]

Lots of useful info here, if you haven't read it already:

Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium

What kind of food? A single piece of raw shrimp should work well, and is easily removed after it has performed its job (creating ammonia).

Curing live rock in your tank at this time would also help out the cycle.

Will you have a sump?

When do you plan on adding livestock? (trick question ;))

i dropped some krill on the tank, should i drop it daily? or only one time is enought? i don't know how to build very well so i don't know about the sump, maybe.
I Plan to move a clown fish ( wich i have in my 10 gallon) to this tank after a month, and try to add a skunk Cleaner shrimp.

Also, instead of shrimp, could it be a squid head, or maybe one whole raw squid? if yes, wen do you know if it has done its job? Like, how many days after the squid being added to the tank i should take it out? Thanks?

[rluix]

Bump, anyone?

[ToddTT]

Bump, anyone?

I think you want about the volume of one average size shrimp. Added all at once.

You'll know it's working because the ammonia levels will rise in your tank. Once they are elevated, I think you can take the shrimp (or whatever) out. I'm guessing after a week or two, but get a definitive answer first.

A quick search shows a decent description here, including what to expect during the cycle:

The Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle

Ignore the parts that mention using live fish to start the cycle. They mention it, but also advise against it.

And ignore any impulse to rush things. You may not be adding fish for a month or two. A good time to come up with a stocking list, and ask for feedback on that.

[ToddTT]

More links to peruse, enjoy!

cycle saltware tank shrimp ammonia nitrite - Google Search

[Steve McKay]

Rluix quit the bump your giving me a headache, just because your not at the top of the list doesn't mean were not paying you attention.

I would add more live rock and let it cycle before adding fish. I would recommend at least 1# per gallon. I know it's expensive but you need enough surface area for bacteria. Your substrate will also harbor bacteria but it looks like you went with crushed coral instead of sand and it won't provide as much surface area for bacteria. You will also need to siphon the crushed coral to remove debris.

[Parrothead]

Also, remember what you said to stumpy, practice what you preach when it comes to stocking time, you've got about the same size tank he does

[rluix]

Also, remember what you said to stumpy, practice what you preach when it comes to stocking time, you've got about the same size tank he does

Yep, i know, and i won't overstock, i only plan to add 1 clown fish ( from the other tank) , 1 skunk cleaner shrimp, and one dwarf flame angel fish.
If thats too much ill take the dwarf out, and just stock it with some corals, the clown and the shrimp.

[rluix]

Rluix quit the bump your giving me a headache, just because your not at the top of the list doesn't mean were not paying you attention.

I would add more live rock and let it cycle before adding fish. I would recommend at least 1# per gallon. I know it's expensive but you need enough surface area for bacteria. Your substrate will also harbor bacteria but it looks like you went with crushed coral instead of sand and it won't provide as much surface area for bacteria. You will also need to siphon the crushed coral to remove debris.

I got 2 lb's of live rock in there and i plan to add more 2 lb's of live rock next week ( the store its out of live rock and will receive more next week ), also, im using tropical marine sand:
The bag said this sand was good for homing (?) the good bacteria, i don't know if it is Crushed coral.

[Steve McKay]

Yep, i know, and i won't overstock, i only plan to add 1 clown fish ( from the other tank) , 1 skunk cleaner shrimp, and one dwarf flame angel fish.
If thats too much ill take the dwarf out, and just stock it with some corals, the clown and the shrimp.

There would be nothing wrong with having three fish in a 35g, just not big fish.

[Steve McKay]

I got 2 lb's of live rock in there and i plan to add more 2 lb's of live rock next week ( the store its out of live rock and will receive more next week ), also, im using tropical marine sand:
The bag said this sand was good for homing (?) the good bacteria, i don't know if it is Crushed coral.

It might not be quote "Crushed Coral" but the particle size is the same as crushed coral. You need to find some sand with a particle size of approx. 0.2 to 1.2 try Carib Sea white aragonite sand called Aragamax. I know you can't get it from this website but it will show you what I'm talking about. Aragamax Aquarium Sand

[rluix]

My Nitrites are starting to go up, right now its about 0.05/0.1 , the tank has only been running for a week, i tought the ammonia cycle would take like 2 weeks, and then the nitritie one wouuld start, could sombody tell something on this?

[Steve McKay]

My Nitrites are starting to go up, right now its about 0.05/0.1 , the tank has only been running for a week, i tought the ammonia cycle would take like 2 weeks, and then the nitritie one wouuld start, could sombody tell something on this?

You mean nitrogen cycle, First you will get ammonia after a while you will start to get nitrites too because the ammonia is turning into nitrite then you will start to get nitrates which for you is the end result. It is possible and most likely that you will have all three ammonia,nitrite and nitrate. When you have no more ammonia or nitrite and only have nitrate the cycle is finished and you should add one fish to keep the cycle going at this time it would be a good idea to add a cleanup crew and start doing water changes to get rid of excess nitrate.

[rluix]

Upadate with more pics:
The dead rock is (i hope )starting to go live, there are green / brownish spots starting to apear around them, it looks like there is some tiny living things moving in the rocks.
Picture one
Picture two

Hopefully ill get my protein skimmer, and pumps, in the mail this next week.



Have a nice day.
*Test kit results comming in a update this next week*

[Nemo4Life]

are you planning on this as a reef tank or FOWLR? I asked because you list your lighting as T8's. T8's are just normal flouresant lighting and will not substain any corals. If you are planning on just keeping like zoo's or a softie tank, then PC's will work. LPS's will need at least T5 or VHO lighting, and SPS and clams will need MH unless the tank is shallow(under18") then you can get by with T5's or VHO's.

[rluix]

are you planning on this as a reef tank or FOWLR? I asked because you list your lighting as T8's. T8's are just normal flouresant lighting and will not substain any corals. If you are planning on just keeping like zoo's or a softie tank, then PC's will work. LPS's will need at least T5 or VHO lighting, and SPS and clams will need MH unless the tank is shallow(under18") then you can get by with T5's or VHO's.

First of all, yes, im planning on keeping 3 species of corals 1 colt coral, colonial polyps and maybe a xenia.
and i don't quite agree with you, you make t8's sound like if they were good for nothing, i plan to get a pair of marine -glo, wich i have seen been sucessfull at keeping a healthy reef ,and a life-glo, wich has hight photosintetic levels. ( life-glo:18.000k and marine glo: actinic(?) ), from what i hear t8's are like t5's just larger, and so its difficult to have more than 3.
As always, this reply is open to corrections.