Putter's first tank

[putter]

skimmer and plumbing


140LBS of rock


More dam rock!


first attempt




So any pointers, suggestions of constructive critisism?

[putter]

WOW those corners really stand out, not sure I like that, never noticed it so much IRL! Oh well, so when does the water testing start? Should I take a series of tests now and then weekly until the cycle peaks, or should they take place more often, like every other day? Also is there any thing other than a shrimp I could use to start the cycle? Thanks

[Doc]

slow down and take a breath. this is going to take a few weeks. Patience is the most important part right now. First off, no matter what we say, you will most likely re-arrange the rocks about a dozen times before the end of the week. Keep them how they are for now, they look just great.

Your salinity is within normal limits. leave it alone for now.

use a piece of shrimp from the market. some people try to put in a damsel to get things going, calling it a sacrificial fish, but I am not a fan of that for one reason: what if it lives? there is NO WAY with that tank you will EVER catch the damsel. they tend to be SUPER territorial and will hassel and even kill other fish that you put in after it so don't use that method. a piece of shrimp is all you need.

As for testing the water, you won't need to for a while. Once you drop in the shrimp leave your tank alone for about a week. don't even touch it. test after a week and if the ammonia is still present, leave it alone again, for another week. keep testing it weekly until there is no ammonia or nitrites present in your water, then do a water change to reduce nitrates and you are good to start one fish. that process will take between 3-4 weeks. Patience young Skywalker, patience...

-Doc

[reeffreak]

You wife let you put the LR on the table.Mine would of had a fit.

Your not wasting any time,sure looks like you have plenty of live rock.Honestly,it looks like it would start a cycle on its own,no need really to drop a shrimp in there.If you still want,you can put a little fish food to start the cycle.I prolly wouldn't be much help on the aquascaping.Maybe try to have two islands or high on the end and lower in the middle.Congrats,your well on your way.

I almost forget,I usually test a couple of days later and then every three days or so,while its cycling.

[putter]

Thanks guys, and Doc, I would never use a fish to cycle, was more wondering if I could use something else, like maybe some frozen blood worm or some such thing. Thanks for calling me young Doc, made me feel good for a couple seconds anyhow I do realize that this process is going to take a couple months, or could take up to that long, I just got a little over excited last night. Thanks for the testing advice I know it is on these forums already some where but thanks for repeating it. Dominick, my wife has only really said that she didn't like her house being turned upside down (which it has been since the tank arrived) she does not really care how I do it, but she wants it cleaned up NOW lol which is why I got away with placing all the rock on the table. Only a few things left to do now and the mess should be gone completely.

[reeffreak]

Good call on the skimmer,ASM skimmers are pretty sweet and nothing better than having an ATO.What lights are you going with btw?

[Doc]

glad you are taking it slow. Best way to go

-Doc

[putter]

The Solaris I4 48" LED is what I have ordered, was kind of hoping that it would have shown up by tonight but no luck so far.

[putter]

From what I have read so far Doc, only thing trying to rush this hobby does is cost lotsa bucks and usualy grief! Now that I have most every thing I need in the tank all I have to do is wait for the cycle and while I wait I can start to research fishes and corals more to get a good solid plan of what I want and when to add them/it. Consider this an official warning of more noob questions to come :P

[reeffreak]

Originally Posted by putter

The Solaris I4 48" LED is what I have ordered, was kind of hoping that it would have shown up by tonight but no luck so far.

I remember now.
Great,now we can find out some hands on experience with that fixture around here.