fish addict wants to go salt

orb4me · 07-01-2008, 04:00 PM

The rock and sand that Im going to buy is going to die? ok, I'll just leave that one alone for now.

Premixing salt water is now going to be a problem. I dont have a big enough container to do that, nor could I carry it. For the first time, can I stir it up and pour it in the tank and let a filter mix it?. I dont see anything on my power head that would let it be attached to anything. It sits on top of my ugf. (or its not a power head

). I could possibly pull the tube off the ugf and use it and the power head.

I have a good master kit, I just didnt know it could be used for sw. I already have the tester stuff that you mentioned. So actually I'm going to do a fishless cycle right?

Judge · 07-01-2008, 04:18 PM

You're the greatest Orb..I use a 20 gallon plastic tub to mix my salt up in. It has it's own little thermometer, a small ancient filter, which i am sure is not necessary, and the evil aquaclear 70 powerhead that ate Bradley. (pincushion urchin) I follow directions (mixing salt)and turn everything on a let 'er go a day in advance. I can't lift the tub so I have a large plastic pitcher that I use to fill up after a water change..etc.As far as your rock and sand die off well it is only "live" because of the critters living on/in it. There's really no way for some of them to not die off..most will survive though if not left out of water for very long and carefully transported. I have several large styro square box's that I take with me when i'm on the hunt for new live rock. That way the temp stays good, I can keep them in enough water that there is little to no die off and right in to the tank. I have never had any problems doing it that way. I am sure others have some better ideas but this has worked for me. I hope this helps at least some.

PS: the original first 40 lbs. I used for cycling I did not have any fish in the tank and this rock was shipped in so there was some die off but it was well packaged and did not smell funky. The remaining stuff was purchased locally as I said above and by that time there were fish in the tank, 3 Chromis but no problems.

orb4me · 07-01-2008, 04:44 PM

tx Judge, that solves the hauling water problem.

Now I have a new problem

The 10 gal tank is going to be too small. I want the clown fish. I was reading articles about what to buy in the way of salt, sand and of coarse I wandered off to fish!!! I need a mim of 20 gal tank. Now, like you, I have to decide what furniture to throw away. I already got rid of the Tv, and I like the way my living room is set up. I do have room in the kitchen for a 29 gal tank, it would crowd the kitchen table, but I dont care lol. Guests can sit on the floor. If suddenly Im not around anymore its because my kids have me locked up in the loony ben. Im going to have to regroup again. I'd buy another 55 at the drop of a hat if I had a place to put it. Can you see where this is headed? lolololol.

Judge · 07-01-2008, 04:52 PM

Hey I'd sit on your floor and watch fish anyday!! Besides, IMVHO bigger (in this case) is better. More room for fish and errors. Looking forward to your project and pic's.

Tommy Gun · 07-01-2008, 06:02 PM

For what it's worth, I think Judge has some very good ideas...which I can say because I use nearly the identical tactics myself. In fact, I pump water all the way from my basement, up the stairs, and into my tank which is nearly 6 inches taller than I am...so even us "kids" aren't keen on carrying water!

Nereaga · 07-01-2008, 07:19 PM

A 20g long tank could be cool. Wider and not as tall as a standard tank. Easy to light aswell, because its not a deep tank, light can penetrate easier.

Just my 2 cents. Seems like you are getting good advice already.

Brad

orb4me · 07-02-2008, 04:00 PM

What to do, What to do. I have to stop posting when Im tired, I say some crewy things. Of coarse Im doing fishless cycle. Im still regrouping my thinking. I thought I could get rid of Mrs Shark, but I cant

I agree, 10 gal is too small.

I really do think the tank will have to go in the kitchen lol. Its the only place that have electric plugs lol. I'll go shopping this week-end and see what I can get. Then I'll be back with tons of more questions. Remember, I only want a clown fish, an annome(sp) and a cookie??? starfish.

Tommy Gun · 07-02-2008, 09:27 PM

Hey orb,

Since you are such a fantastic person, can you please promise that you do a lot of window shopping before you pick up any aquariums and/or equipment so that we can help you out? If I remember right, you seemed to have some trouble with a previous purchase and I am sure we all want to help you avoid all of that again. I also ask beacuse you may find yourself faced with someone who is telling you things in order to make a sale regardless if you need it or not. Perhaps that is pessimistic thinking on my part, but on the other hand that seems to be a common 'theme' in many threads here on FTF.

Also, because you are doing the right thing and researching before you buy, it might be helpful if you get at least some idea of which anemone(s) seem the most appealing to you since this may be a consideration as far as the most ideal set up is going to be for you. It is also important to note that certain clownfish may only host in certain types of anemones so that would also help you narrow things down quite a bit. HOWEVER, I wouldn't be doing you any favors if I didn't support the notion that an anemone is probably not something you should bring home on day one...and perhaps not until day 120+ depending on who you ask. For your own sanity, it would be a good idea (IMHO anyways) to get a few months of experience with SW so that you can be more confident in your ability to maintain the right environment. IMVHO though, this isn't anything that should discourage you at all and in fact, any of your potential clownfish do not absolutely require an anemone and IME, it is possible that your clownfish would still host in the anemone even after doing without for a long time. Once you get to that bridge, I am sure we can help you with some tricks that can improve your odds as well.

Quote:

and a cookie??? starfish.

Chocolate Chip Starfish?

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Orb - please stop reading here and ignore the following comments
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For the record, I am not being biased toward Orb because you are all fantastic people in my book!!!!

orb4me · 07-03-2008, 02:34 PM

Good idea Tommy Gunn. Ive been in over my head the past few days trying to figure this salt thing out.

Yea, a chocolate chip. lolol

If I had read down past where he told me not to read, I would have said, Biased???? he sure is, check back in Dec threads. He tried to rip my soul out

My little fish think he is a hero,
but I think he is a Schizo.

Tommy Gun · 07-03-2008, 07:50 PM

Good thing you didn't read that far down then, huh? I have to be honest though, I can't remember what I ate for breakfast any better than what I might have posted in December! Luckily I didn't read all of your comments because I'm not very sure what I would think if you were calling me a Schizo.