[r8tdr]

Hello!

I've just finished setting up our "fish only" tank. Its an 80 gallon tank. Its been a month and a half to be exact since I've set it. I just bought 2 perc clownfish yesterday after confirming that I have the right ph, nitrite, nitrate and amonia levels as well as bacteria generation.

How long or how many weeks, months should i wait before I can add another type of fish? How many are allowed in an 80 gal tank?

What would be the ideal setup for my tank as far as fish are concerned? Aggressive mixed with less aggressive or ??

What decorations can i place besides the lava rock and 2 fake plants that i have so it will look presentable?

Any suggestion is helpful. Thanks in advance.


My items:

80 Gal Glass
Sea Clone Protein Skimmer *(150G)
MagnumPro 350
350w Heater
55 lbs of lava rock
100 lbs of grade 1 gravel
2 plastic plants

[Poseidon]

WElcome to reefland!!

I would be happy to help. First buy what is called "live rock" fromyour LFS (local fish store) this will help with the cycle. As previous to you adding the fish, nothing was happening in your tank. Now that you hae some waste producers (fish) is when the whole nitrogen cycle begins. There is no set time for how long this will take, average I guess is 4 weeks or so. Make sure to remove any Carbon filtration you may have going right now as this will slow down the cycle process and also DO NOT do any water changes or ADD anything till this cycle complete (except the live rock) I'm sure Ninong or Zhenya will give you agreat link to read up on, but this will at least get you started. You may want to read some of the other posts here just for reference, especially ones started by Pomme, he is a new mwmber as well and I'm sure you'll have very similar questions to what he had and the answers are all there for you already. everything from Snails to SPS (corals) Oh ya, remember patience is the key to your new hobby, everything happens very slowly in your tank, when you rush things is when trouble seems to pop up!!!

Good Luck, and happy Reefing!!!

okay here is a link from me.... first time for everything, I guess

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fishonsetup.htm

[r8tdr]

Originally Posted by Poseidon

WElcome to reefland!!

I would be happy to help. First buy what is called "live rock" fromyour LFS (local fish store) this will help with the cycle. As previous to you adding the fish, nothing was happening in your tank. Now that you hae some waste producers (fish) is when the whole nitrogen cycle begins. There is no set time for how long this will take, average I guess is 4 weeks or so. Make sure to remove any Carbon filtration you may have going right now as this will slow down the cycle process and also DO NOT do any water changes or ADD anything till this cycle complete (except the live rock) I'm sure Ninong or Zhenya will give you agreat link to read up on, but this will at least get you started. You may want to read some of the other posts here just for reference, especially ones started by Pomme, he is a new mwmber as well and I'm sure you'll have very similar questions to what he had and the answers are all there for you already. everything from Snails to SPS (corals) Oh ya, remember patience is the key to your new hobby, everything happens very slowly in your tank, when you rush things is when trouble seems to pop up!!!

Good Luck, and happy Reefing!!!

okay here is a link from me.... first time for everything, I guess

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fishonsetup.htm

From the Bold Text. I have the Bio Wheel running above, should I still remove the carbon media below? Plus if i include live rock inside, will that mean that i have to make sure the lights are on a certain time?

Thanks.

[Poseidon]

Yes remove the carbon from the Biowheel... and No the live rock does not require a specific lighting schedule. The "live" is in the rock its the bacteria you want. Without "good lighting" you will lose some of the coralline algae from the exterior of the rock, but thats okay.

I started my tank with Lava rock as well, and eventually I replaced each Lava rock with a live rock. You can also save some cost by using Tufa or lace rock. It is about the same color as Live rock, but since it is sold dry it is MUCH less expensive!!!

[irishjabba]

Originally Posted by r8tdr

From the Bold Text. I have the Bio Wheel running above, should I still remove the carbon media below? Plus if i include live rock inside, will that mean that i have to make sure the lights are on a certain time?

Thanks.

You can leave the carbon in the filter, as it won't actually affect the time it takes for the tank to cycle. Basically, it'll just help remove organics from the tank, which is good, because it'll help prevent early algae or cyanobacteria blooms. It's only a chemical filter media....but bacteria will even colonize on it as well (though you'll use them when you change the media).

Live rock will help you get a good does of that nitrifying bacteria right away, and will help your tank cycle that much quicker. Just run your lights for 8 to 10 hrs a day, anymore could encourage algae blooms at this point.