ok soo im going to completely break down my rsm 130d ive recently lost all my fish so im down to a few snails and a shrimp so im starting over. anyway ive read alot about sand beds vs crushed coral (which i have now) and im not sure what to go with. ive also ordered a media rack and tunze skimmer and the kit to lower the return pumps.. next on my list is a chiller to deal with the temp swings that im getting. any thing that im missing that i should take care of while its apart ? also how long do you guys suggest i let the tank sit before i add anything
if you could start over what would you do/not do
- Thread starter mongo
- Start date
Hi Mongo 
:welcomera Welcome to Reef Sanctuary!
I assume you are talking about how long to wait before adding fish or corals? Or letting it sit after you clean it before adding water
Your tank will need to cycle & be testing ZERO ammonia & nitrites before you add any fish or corals. Do you have the basic test kits and a refractometer?
IMO Special Grade sand is much better to use than crushed coral...it's not too fine & not too course. I do wish I'd have use it exclusively when setting my tank up.
There'll be lots of step by step help here....that's what is so AWESOME about RS. Hope you'll feel right at home here & start a tank thread.
:welcomera Welcome to Reef Sanctuary!
I assume you are talking about how long to wait before adding fish or corals? Or letting it sit after you clean it before adding water
Your tank will need to cycle & be testing ZERO ammonia & nitrites before you add any fish or corals. Do you have the basic test kits and a refractometer? IMO Special Grade sand is much better to use than crushed coral...it's not too fine & not too course. I do wish I'd have use it exclusively when setting my tank up.
There'll be lots of step by step help here....that's what is so AWESOME about RS. Hope you'll feel right at home here & start a tank thread.
Do not use crushed coral, use CaribSea Special Grade Reef Sand.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=7326
My question is, why did everything die?
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=7326
My question is, why did everything die?
Lipman
Active Member
The reason I ask about having a test kit is I feel like testing in the beginning of a new start up, helped me to understand what I needed to know. I think there's a need for that knowledge & it gets lost in the journey when you run your water down to the LFS to have it tested. Make sure your test kit isn't out of date if you want to start off right. What step are you at on getting your tank cleaned up? What are your plans for snails & shrimp during take down?
Start a tank thread with a title of your choice for your re-build & let us share your journey. There's lots of help here & we get excited about hearing plans for a new set up
Start a tank thread with a title of your choice for your re-build & let us share your journey. There's lots of help here & we get excited about hearing plans for a new set up
theplantman
Active Member
+2 to what happened last round.
Also, unless you are planning to add a refugium that is at least as big as your 130d, or to grow pods in a separate tank, stay away from Mandarins or you will most likely have a repeat.
My personal opinion is Mandarins and Dragonets (like scooter blennies) should be kept by experienced reef keepers that have a system that is designed specifically for them. These types of fish are specialist feeders and slow ones at that. They cannot out compete other reef fish for their food, pods....live pods. Before anyone throws it back, I realize there have been successes in getting mandarins to feed on frozen foods, but it is NOT the norm for these species. If your goal is to really keep mandarins, I would recommend working your way up to them by keeping a successful mixed reef first for a couple years. (So you can learn how to handle the emergencies as they happen) And then upgrade your system and build one specifically for them and other peaceful species. (Coral research will be important as well) Dragonets are surface swimmers they travel on the rock and sand and not typically in open water, so aggressive corals with nasty stings, anemones, etc, IMO should be out of the question for this type of tank.
Also, unless you are planning to add a refugium that is at least as big as your 130d, or to grow pods in a separate tank, stay away from Mandarins or you will most likely have a repeat.
My personal opinion is Mandarins and Dragonets (like scooter blennies) should be kept by experienced reef keepers that have a system that is designed specifically for them. These types of fish are specialist feeders and slow ones at that. They cannot out compete other reef fish for their food, pods....live pods. Before anyone throws it back, I realize there have been successes in getting mandarins to feed on frozen foods, but it is NOT the norm for these species. If your goal is to really keep mandarins, I would recommend working your way up to them by keeping a successful mixed reef first for a couple years. (So you can learn how to handle the emergencies as they happen) And then upgrade your system and build one specifically for them and other peaceful species. (Coral research will be important as well) Dragonets are surface swimmers they travel on the rock and sand and not typically in open water, so aggressive corals with nasty stings, anemones, etc, IMO should be out of the question for this type of tank.
from what i can tell it was ick or some bacteria infection that killed my last fish that i might have picked up from snails or a clown goby (yes i know i need a quarantine tank) none of the fish showed any signs except for 1 clown who i noticed a white film on when i was leaving for work buy by the time i got home it was too late. i had my water tested at the lfs and everything looked good the water i had in the tank was from my 75 gal sw tank and i had done 2 4gallon water changes from the lfs that is less than 3 mins from my house... ill start guess ill have to start a journal soon even for my own references with what is going on with the tank .. also with my snails and shrimp im either giving them to my sisters friend who has 4-5 nano tanks set up or temperately setting up a old 20 gal for them
theplantman
Active Member
if they were in a tank with ick, do not gift them to anyone. Not at least until the tank has been devoid of any livestock that can contract the disease for at least 10 weeks, someone correct me if it needs to be longer.
jimv
Member
I understand that 6 weeks is sufficiant to rid your tank of ick.