Starting the Journey

[Foxprowl]

Hi All!

I'm new to the forum and was recommended here by a friend. I'm starting a 28 gal cube tank and hope to use this as a resource. I'm trying to figure out the direction I want to go in, but there are so many different choices. I'll probably just end up with a basic live rock and fish tank to start.

[jprince]

Hi and welcome to the forum!! Where are you located? Don't hesitate with any questions. There are a lot of wicked smaht folks round here!!

[Foxprowl]

Thanks for the welcome! I'm in Dover and the tank I'm setting up is a 28 gal cube tank. It was given to me by a co-worker who is moving up to a larger tank. I've been researching the hobby off and on for years but was never in position to dive right in. Here's what I'm planning and I'd love any recommendations:

1. The tanks filter is the same my co worker was using with success. It has the typical white macro filters on top (4 total) and underneath those I'll be putting activated carbon. The heater is rated for the tank and should be fine.

2. I'm going to be using distilled water with Red Sea salt, live rock and Bio-Activ sand to start cycling.

3. I'm planning 15% water changes once a week. I have everything to test and correct changes in pH, nitrate, nitrites, ammonia, carbonate, alkalinity, and trace metals.

4. I plan on added live animals after the set up has cycled. I'm not wedded to any species, but I have interest in Sexy Shrimp, Pom Pom Crabs and firefish gobies.

I also have another 28gal cube that I eventually want to use as a sump, but right now it's just a quarantine/acclimation tank.

[Scott Laman]

Welcome the the club!

[Foxprowl]

So the tank is set up and it's beginning to cycle. I'm using live sand to begin the process and will be adding live rock once the nitrates and ammonia decrease a little bit. I've taken pics, but it's just an empty tank with a hydrometer right now. Nothing I want to display after seeing everyone else's spectacular tanks  . First round of water tests after letting everything settle for a day shows the cycle is beginning.

I've been researching possible species inhabitants and there's a few that I've love to have. Currently, I've got my heart set on a goby/pistol shrimp pair with maybe a Crinoid Squat lobster as well. Not 100% sure which goby species I'm favoring but the Draculas look amazing. Also been researching the Squat Lobster care and it's made me start thinking about coral. I was planning a fish only tank, but I would definitely try some Zoos or Rhodas if I'm successful.

It turns out I'm getting another 16gal from the friend who gave me this one. Might use it as a refugium or a quarantine tank.

[graveyardworm]

Welcome to NHRC. 

What do you mean by hydrometer? Is it a floating, or swingarm type? If memory serves the floating ones may need to be temperature adjusted, and the needle ones are notoriously innaccurate, and become worse over time. If you're in this for awhile I would definately suggest getting a refractometer, they're very easy to read, and as long as they are calibrated very accurate.

[Foxprowl]

The hydrometer is one of those Red Sea hydro/thermometer combos that sticks to the inside of the tank. I'm using it right now while the tank is cycling because it's just easy to read and I can check my hanging thermometer against it.

And I must be in this for the long haul, because I ordered a refractometer that was on sale for $35 last weekend.  Should be getting it around this weekend. I used to work for the Oceanography and Zoology departments at UNH, so I understand the importance of accurate water measurements. Thanks for the advice!

[kl3377]

I'm almost as new to the site as you but Welcome!  If you need any help I am in Rollinsford and have had sw/reef tanks for many years.

[Foxprowl]

Thanks everyone who've I'd talked to and given me advice! The tank is approaching week 3 of cycling. My ammonia and nitrate is definitely raised, but my nitrite has been hovering around .1 for the last week. I've still only got the live sand because I haven't found any rocks I like but I added a dead shrimp last week to spike the cycle. My goal is to have the tank finish this cycle and then add rock. I seriously don't plan on adding fish/inverts until end of August. I've waiting 3 years to start a tank, I can wait another month to ensure the tank is mature I have 3 questions right now:

Does anyone know what kind of selection Mainely Pets has for rock, live and dead? Any lace rock?

Any reason why a shrimp/goby combo and a pom pom crab wouldn't get along?

Any one have experience with Crinoid Squat Lobsters? Those crabs look cool:http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+506+2913&pcatid=2913

[kl3377]

1. Not sure
2. I don't see a problem with that combo. Just make sure the sand bed is adequate for burrowing (not to coarse).
3. Sorry, no experience with the lobster.

[Foxprowl]

Decided to make the journey to Salem and check out Jay's and Aqua Addicts. Pretty sure I want to get a pistol shrimp from Jay's when my tank is mature. Just need to find a place for a watchman goby    Maybe Liveaquaria.com. Also saw the harlequin shrimp, mantis shrimp and japanese moray eel they had...I might start the next tank with a a mantis shrimp in mind  My goodness those thing are cool! Would love to have a harlequin shrimp but I don't have a clue how to breed starfish so that's YEARS beyond my hope.

My current tank is starting to spike ammonia and nitrite, with nitrate rising. Added live rock from Aqua Addict to boost cycle. I'm still planning on grabbing some live rock from Mr. graveyardworm if it's still available 

[Scott Laman]

Pistol Shrimp and Symbiotic Gobie are a really fun addition to a tank.  I have a Pistol and a Yellow Nose Prawn gobie.

Mine tend to be shy, but I can find them when I want.   They relocate their den every few weeks it seems, and it's cool to see them in action.   Gobie will come out scouting the area to make sure it's safe before the shrimp comes out, and then the shrimp starts playing bulldozer and pushing sand out of the burrow back and forth many times.   If the gobie get's spooked at all, they both dart back in the hole.   Pretty fascinating relationship.   A few times I did hear the pistol shrimp do his claw trick.  Something must have been bugging him.    I thought I had a rock in my pump getting kicked around.  It was pretty loud.