30 Gal Tank

[Lost Yooper]

Hello,

It looks as though I've been talked into yet another hobbie (kids, eh!). My wife and I have absolutely no experience with aquariams and have been at the mercy of the local shop. From the reading I've done, it's difficult to know if we're on the right foot or the wrong foot . Here's what we have and what we've done so far:

30gal tank (24"L x 12"D x 24"H) - glass - obviously kinda high, but works for the location it's in.
Glass lid
Argonite sand and crushed gravel (about 2-3" deep)
24" Aqua Light with 2- 65 watt lamps (Actinic blue 03 and 10,000K) w/cooling fans (130watt total)
Marine Land 100watt Visi-Therm Deluxe heater
Marine Land Penquin 125 Bio Wheel Power Filter
2- Marine Land Maxi-Jet 900 power heads (one located upper left pointed up and one located lower right in the tank pointed out)
Aquariam Systems Instant Ocean salt mix
Marine Land Instant Ocean Hydrometer
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals salt Water Master liquid test kit (Ph, amonia, nitrite, and nitrate)
Easy Clean siphon
Magnet cleaner
Thermometer

30lbs Marshall Island live rock (fully cured)
1- Yellow Tail Damsel (has been in shop's aquarium for a few weeks)
Temperature about 78F

We had the tank set up for us Friday (March 5) and introduced the live rock and fish on Tuesday (March 9). We had a very convenient spot for this size tank (in a vacant, built-in entertainment center in our house) and knew this size tank would require a bit more involvement than bigger tanks.
Our goals include having as many of the "Finding Nemo" characters as we can (within the abilities of this size tank) and introduce various corals down the road. We've spent about $660 thus far and, of course, intend to spend plenty more as the tank progresses.

I would appreciate it greatly if people could take a look at all this and provide feedback, advice, warnings, suggestions, etc. The one immediate question I have is how often should I run tests during this 4-6 week cycling phase and which tests should I run (how often)?

Thanks a lot,

Mike

[SaltBlock]

Welcome to TRT...You have found a great place to ask a lot of questions about reef tanks.

I have a 30 gal long tank, so not all of my advise may apply 100%

You mentioned that you are planning a "Finding Nemo Tank." A Ocellaris or Percula Clownfish would be a great fish for a 30 gal, unfortunately, the blue tang is out of the question. What are some of the other fish that you had in mind (see http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/c...d=21&pcatid=15 for many of the common reef safe fish).

Also, an anemone may not be the best choice of inhabitants for a 30 gal, unless you have very good lights and don't plan to keep many corals. Many people on the TRT will advise against them altogether (see http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/sh...hlight=anemone for a recent discussion).

You may consider ditching the glass lid if you notice the temperature fluctuating greatly between lights on and lights off. It is very important to keep the temp in your tank as steady as possible.

Is your bio wheel your only filtration? If so, consider a HOB skimmer (others will be able to direct you to the best brands). If you just use the bio wheel, you will need to be meticulous about keeping it clean because it will trap detritous (which will lead to a build up of phosphates which will lead to algae problems down the road).

As far as testing a new tank, I would personally say every couple of days for the first few weeks.

Sounds like you are off to a good start, keep the questions coming

AEB

[Lost Yooper]

Thanks a lot for replying. The shop I'm dealing with never mentioned a skimmer, but everything I've read tells me otherwise. I will certainly pick one up online somewhere.

Regarding the fish, can this tank support a yellow tang, a clown (or two), cleaner shrimp, yellow tail gramma, and that pink starfish? What is the name of that blue and white stripe fish (named Flow?) in the movie (in the tank with Nemo)? Jeesh, this is bad... my kids are brain washing me now!

Regarding the lights, are you supposed to turn the tank lights completely off every 12 hours or leave one set on all the time ? Somewhere I read you should have a timer for each light (or something like that).

We also have a hermit crab, a couple clams, and at least one snail that have come out of the live rock. Any problems with these being in the tank during this cycling phase?

Thanks a lot,

Mike

[SaltBlock]

I hate being the bearer of bad news, but a tang of any kind is a bad idea in that size of tank. Tangs are "swimmers" and they do best in long tanks (4-5+ feet). I regrettably bought a yellow tang for my 30 gal (3 feet long), but eventually got rid of him because he just didn't seem comfortable in those close quarters. They also produce a lot of waste (they graze on algae all day), which is especially detrimental for small tanks. The blue tang (Flow) is definitely out of the question, they are a large fish (up to 1 foot) and would quickly outgrow your tank. As far as your other fish options, the clown and the royal gramma are great fish. I would suggest only one clown because they tend to fight if they are not a mated pair, and they can get fairly large (5"). Other fish you may consider are goby fish, blenny fish, chromis, and jawfish. Check out the LiveAquaria link above to see full color pics and some basic requirements of these fishes.

Cleaner shrimp...

As for the Pink Starfish, I don't know of any commonly kept species that are pink. There are a few red species, but any starfish should only be added after your tank is well established and stable.

As far as HOB skimmers, you may want to check the Nano Forum on TRT. I have never personaly used a HOB protein skimmer, so I don't feel comfortable giving you any advice on them (other than, definitely get one)

For a lighting schedule, I run my actinics 11 hours and my daylights for 8 hours a day. To maximize the time I get to watch my tank at night (I am gone most of the day), I start my actinics at 12:30 pm, then the daylights at 2:00. The daylights turn off at 10:00, and the actinics at 11:30. There is not set lighting schedule, but I would avoid running your daylights much more than 8 hours a day. If you don't have a way to set a timer for each light, run them both for about 8 hours.

You say that you have a "hermit crab, a couple clams, and at least one snail that have come out of the live rock." With the hermit crab, it depends on the species, but you are safer by just removing it (unless you know for sure that it is reef safe). The "clams" should be fine (Are you sure they are clams?, Maybe scallops?). The snail should be fine. Once your tank has been set up for a week or so and you start getting some algae, you could start adding a few blue leg or scarlet hermits and a few snails.

talk to you later,

AEB

[Lost Yooper]

I'll do some research and try to verify what kind of crab we have. It hasn't come out enough to get a good look at it. I believe the shop called it a hermit. I probably mispoke about the clams. They are clam (ish), but could be a scallope... I'll take a look. They're about 2-1/2"-3" long and 1-3/4" wide, dull whitish, with yellowish stripes.

Thanks a lot for the advice on the tangs. They shop said otherwise, but, again, everything I've read has agreed with you. I'm kinda used to "fishy" local shop advice with other hobbies of mine... diving in particular. Gotta love the internet.

Thanks a lot!

Mike

[SaltBlock]

I forgot to include my pitch for the sponsers of TRT. They help to keep this whole thing going and they have some excellent reef products.

I did a brief search and it looks like most people have had very good luck with the Aqua C Remora HOB skimmer for the size of tank you have. Supposedly it is quiet, sturdy, efficient, and reasonably priced. I have done a lot of business with the Reef Geek (http://www.reefgeek.com/categories/p..._skimmers.html) and have been very happy with his customer service and quality products (note: avoid Rio pumps).


Hey everybody....WHERE'S THE WELCOME WAGON???????

AEB

[Lost Yooper]

Awesome!

Thanks a lot.

Mike

[Clownfishman]

I have a 30 gallon tank with one scooter blenny and some corals... I need a bit more rock ( I have 20lbs )... I am waiting a little more before I get a nemo fish in there here is the most recent pic..

http://www.thereeftank.com/photopost...t=7&thecat=500

[mluna785]

I just want to point out that "Flo" is not a blue regal tang. The regal tang is "Dory" and "Flo" is a humbug damselfish.

[mluna785]

And I would suggest that you buy a pair of juvenile Ocellaris Clownfish. They are a little bit better looking than Percula Clownfish in my opinion. As far as the "Tank Gang" from the movie, you could buy a clownfish, a royal gramma, a humbug damselfish, and a cleaner shrimp without any problems. I currently have a pair of Ocellaris Clownfish, a pair of Firefish, and a scooter dragonette in my 20 gallon tank. They all are nice to each other and they look beautiful. But if you get a Royal Gramma be aware that they tend to be shy when you first get them so make sure they eat before you stick them in the tank. I had one that starved because he was scared to come out and eat.