[Gracie]

Hi, my name is Gracie and just started with a nano tank that my brother-in-law gave me. I have a fresh water tank for about 7 yrs and this is my first salt water tank. Currently, I have one piece of live rock, 10 lb of life sand in my 14 gal tank cycling... Just discover the joy of "What's that on the rock?" Poundering on what I should do next.... Get more life rock to complete the tank, or get some hermit crabs... Let the adventure begin!!

[BLKBRDTA]

Greetings fellow Chicagonian! Glad to have you join us here on the reef! IMO Nano's are good looking, fun, easy and a great way for a beginner of SW to "get their feet wet" or for a seasoned Reef veteran to add yet another display tank to their plethora of systems haha. Lots of hitchhikers come in on LR, and as your tank progresses you should take heed to quarantining and cycling new LR before adding it to the display (LFS may cycle the LR it receives, however you can never be too sure.) Which brings me to my next topic, you should probably add more live rock to your system now since it is new and the Anaerobic bacteria levels are very low. The added LR will aid in jump starting the cycling process, and you will also have a chance to catch any hitchhikers before they cause any serious problems further on when the tank is more developed. After at least 2-3 weeks, you can start adding your inverts and a couple fish. Then just take it slow from there, it takes time for a beautiful system to unveil but in this hobby.. Patience is definitely a strong virtue..

Welcome to ReefBuilders Gracie!

[Gracie]

Tony, thank you so much for the welcome!! I have done quite a bit of reading before I put the tank online. (It sat in my garage for more than a year as I want to really do it right, so I am definately not in any rush) I have been reading even more during that last few days and I now understand that I am not suppose to change water during cycling, and I haven't done so yet. I am going to get my BIL (brother in law) to help me pick out some more live rock as he is really the expert in this.

I am actually enjoying this cycling stage as it's facinating to discover all the little critters on the rock. I discover a couple of crabs/snails(not sure) and "something" that darts around the holes in the LR last night...

[BLKBRDTA]

Good to hear you have put plenty of research into this hobby before you actually pulled the trigger on it. That is most definitely the best way to do things, even later on by researching livestocks needs before purchasing and so on. No you do not have to do water changes while the tank is cycling, it will only slow the process. Thats great that you are purchasing more LR, try and find some nice shelf rock pieces and smaller more elongated rubble. You want your Nano to look proportionate, not bulky.

And is that something that darts around the LR at night very small and white/gray in color?

[pogodzib]

Welcome to RB Grace. Not only are you saving life (corals, fish, and inverts) by reading up on things and moving slowly, you're also saving yourself the frustration and expense by not killing off livestock like many newbies do. I agree that adding more LR should be a top priority. Also, water changes during the cycle process isn't always a bad thing. Minor water changes may extend the cycle process slightly, but it also helps to keep the ammonia and nitrite peaks lower so more hitchhikers on the LR will survive.

[Gracie]

Sorry it took me a couple days.. but my camera crap out on me... Here are a few pictures. I hope that it show up here okay. Can some one please tell me where I can find instruction on posting pictures. Thank you. I do have a photobucket account.

Picasa Web Albums - Grace

If the picture load successfully, first picture shows my tank with a large rock. Second picture will show the back of the tank with the compartments. I noted that there is no lighting back there...so I can't do the micro-algae thing at the back?? Or can I add a light back there?? This picture also attempt to show the white-ish flaky stuff on the water surface along with picture three. Thank you in advance for all you help and guidance in this journey...

Picasa Web Albums - Grace

Picasa Web Albums - Grace

[Gracie]

Originally Posted by BLKBRDTA

And is that something that darts around the LR at night very small and white/gray in color?

There are two different critters in there... one is smaller and seems transparent with a little white dot on the head. The other one is kind of brown that darts around and really fast...kinda like a bug... (insect bug) Can never get a good look at it as it darts so fast!!

[BLKBRDTA]

Yes, what you see is real and yes it is colonizing in your sand and live rock..
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Amphipod
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And their much smaller cousins -- The Copepod
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Don't worry, even though they look like something straight out of Alien vs Predator, these microscopic shrimp-like crustaceans are extremely important to the foundation of your SW setup. Amphipods and Copepods range in size from 1mm to 140mm (5.5"!) Not only do they scavenge and clean the rock and sand, but they also can provide an abundance of meals for Wrasses, Dragonets/Blennys, Hawkfish/Hogfish, Tangs, Angels and even Clowns etc. They are prodominately nocturnal but may also be seen in the day (the dumb ones), just before being snatched up quickly by a passing fish.. Now that you know, you will be noticing a lot more of them.. Anyways, just thought I would humble you with a couple interesting tidbits of Reef Biology.. Pictures of your tank look great too thank you for sharing!

[Gracie]

Wow..this is awesome!!

I finally was able to take a couple pictures of my hitchhickers...



is this the Aiptasia??

I also have a nocturnal snail...



Getting excited, I am going to check out some live rock today...

[gandorf2000]

Hard to tell if that is aptasia. I have only seen the clear aptasia, but I've heard it comes in many colors and can be quite good looking.. but a real pest. can u get a better picture?

[Gracie]

Well, I check the water today, I have 0 for all ammonia, nitrate and nitrite. The hardness and pH are all ok. I have noticed though that I am a diatom boom... the LS is covered in a light milky yellow color and noticed some pale green on the LR. Is that normal after only a week of cycling?

I went to a new LFS today and check out their live rock tank. Not a lot to choose from and most pieces are big. :: However, lots of coraline and didn't see much Aiptasia. So, I manage to choose a couple pieces to add to my tank. I also added a peppermint shrimp. Will check water quality again in a couple days to see if everything is still good.

[Gracie]

Sorry that I have been MIA. The adventure is going well. All the parameters are still good and I have added another 10 lbs of LR to the system, and 1 peppermint shrimp, 2 emerald crab, 3 blue legged hermit crabs and a common damselfish. I have also added a colony of green zoos and 2 mushroom frags. So far, everyone seem happy. All the Zoanthids are open, the mushrooms are opened, and the damselfish is eatting. I have also started water change.

Now I have another question... The guy on craigslist who sold me the coral mentioned that he feed his zoos to make them grow big faster. should I? I saw this Reef Chili thing, is it good? Thanks!!

[BLKBRDTA]

Hey Gracie, glad to hear everything is doing well! The Reef Chili mix is mainly composed of Zooplankton, Phytoplankton, Artemia Nauplii replacement, Rotifers, Copepods, Daphnia and Spirulina.. All of which can be purchased separately if cost may be a concern. I feed Phytoplankton and Zooplankton and they look great! Rotifers, Artemia Nauplii and Daphnia would provide an even better diet due to their size. The choice is up to you though, buy Reef Chili or make your own "Chili"..