[emothman]

Well, I finished my aquascape. Tell me what you think, suggestions.

Having tech difficulties with picture. Will get it up soon.

[glampka]

Just a little tough to tell without the picture.

[emothman]

Here we go.

[glampka]

That's better! Nice aquascape. Did you leave some room between the rock & the back wall? Makes life so much easier should something die back there.

[emothman]

Not much faith in me huh.... There is enough room to clean it with the mag-float so I think I will be alright. Nothing is leaning against the back wall.

[dfurbee]

Very nice aquascape

[e_baer]

I like the little cave you made....I did the same thing.

[emothman]

Thank you.

[Krazy]

I like that aquascape, the cave is cool and the rock gives the tank a very full look, yet its still open.

nice job!

[emothman]

I like it too. I don't know what to do with the nobby upright piece on the left side of the tank. Any ideas as to what would go well on it?

Cycling - before I put the rock in I had tried to start the cycle, and the ammonia had just barely started to raise, but now 2 days after the rock was put in the ammonia is back down to 0 with nitrite at .2, and nitrate at 10. This seemed odd to me and I was wondering if since the live rock was curred if the necessary bacteria were already present, and if it wouldn't cycle like I am used to see in my freshwater aquariums? This is my first experience with this. Probably premature to really assume this, but I was just wondering.

[jvharding]

Originally Posted by emothman

I like it too. I don't know what to do with the nobby upright piece on the left side of the tank. Any ideas as to what would go well on it?

Cycling - before I put the rock in I had tried to start the cycle, and the ammonia had just barely started to raise, but now 2 days after the rock was put in the ammonia is back down to 0 with nitrite at .2, and nitrate at 10. This seemed odd to me and I was wondering if since the live rock was curred if the necessary bacteria were already present, and if it wouldn't cycle like I am used to see in my freshwater aquariums? This is my first experience with this. Probably premature to really assume this, but I was just wondering.

Cure Rock will cycle a tank well. I would still monitor things closely! as to the tank will go through many changes.

[Reticentregret]

Looks Really nice!!

[glampka]

The glass is never too big!!!

[e_baer]

You can try to put that nobby peice between the 2 uprises just to the right of it.

[dragonboy4578]

it looks very nice

[Steevo]

Lol the nobby rock is where you glue all your loose zoos! Looks great btw

[emothman]

Ammonia and Nitrite at zero this morning. If nothing changes I may introduce some hermits next weekend. Do you guys think that is long enough to wait. I would love it if I could get started earlier. I really want to get the clean up crew going since there is lots of ugly dead stuff hanging off of the rock. Rushing things would be my downfall wouldn't it.

[e_baer]

As long as the water is in good condition, it wouldnt hurt to add a few critters.

[emothman]

Ok, so what do I get in a clean up crew for a 10 gallon? Because of the lack of space I don't want anything that isn't really cool, but also want them to do a good job keeping things clean. Here is the list of little guys I am looking at.

Hermits - don't really know on variations. Read that red leg hermits eat anemones? do they eat anything else?... want info, # I should get...

Snails? do i want these? What kinds? Heard I dont' have enough tank to keep a turbo...

Fire shrimp - are more camera shy then their relatives? too small of a tank?

Red Fromia Star - supposed to be very difficult to keep? Not something I will get soon. (not really a good cleaner, right?)

crab?

Anything I am missing, could look at, shouldn't get... what would your perfect clean up crew be for my tank?

[emothman]

While you are all silently pondering my clean up crew. The lfs recommended a sea cucumber to stir the sand? I think bad idea. Any other options guys?

[e_baer]

No, sea cuke is a great idea...I have 13 or so in my 55.... I posted a pic of one on another thread somewhere. I love them. easy to care for and very hardy. here ya go:

[emothman]

13? How big are they?

[emothman]

FYI - ammonia, nitrite are staying at 0, and nitrate is at 10 pmm. My salinity varies from 1.024-1.025 if I don't watch the evaporation. Should I lower it some? pH keeps dropping even after I add reef buffer. Is reef buffer supposed to be a continual thing?

[e_baer]

the sea cukes...depending on what kind you get can gut up to just a few inches all the way up to 3'. This is the commone sea cuke which only gets to about 8" but ive had that one for about 15 months and its grown....MAYBE 2 inches. its about 8" now.

[emothman]

Buying some cleanup guys today. Any last advise as to what to get or not to get?