My 10 gallon Nano Tank

[zymeth90]

Hi guys, here's my nano tank which i started on 9th October.
Equipment : HOB filter 1600l/h and a protein skimmer.
I've been pouring 10cc of bacteria into the water everyday.

1)I have a 3 stripe damsel in it, I switch off my filter during feeding about half an hour during feeding, will it harm the system?
2)Should I remove the stuff in my filter?


Here's a close up of the 'live' rock



this is what's in the filter


bacteria im using

[Loverotties]

No it won't.You want to take out the filter material and use it just for flow,your rock is your filter .

[jenglish]

THe most important life in live rock for filtration is bacteria and I can't tell that from the picture. WHere did the live rock come from and how was it stored. If it was kept wet it is more than likely still live. Turning off your filter won't hurt. Any biological filter in the HOB filter is probably better off being pulled out if your rock is live.

[zymeth90]

When i went to the LFS, the rock was lying in my empty tank. I dont know how longs its been left out to open air.

So now, I remove all the round white blocks in my filter? I presume the green sponge is for mechanical filtration.

I'm going to get my water tested on the 24th. By the way thanks everybody for your help here, i appreciate it a lot as I cant find any local forums that have as many active members as this one.

[Loverotties]

I'd get some test kits yourself.

[quick_murdoc]

Originally Posted by Loverotties

I'd get some test kits yourself.

+1 sometimes the LSF are not always the most honest with their testing but some are you just never know. I have heard bad stories of people being told their water is fine so that they can contiune to be sold fish or corals.

[zymeth90]

i just tested for nitrites, its at 0.3.

should i dump some brine shrimp in to get ammonia n nitrite spikes?

[quick_murdoc]

You can also just add a peice of uncooked shrimp if you havent already done so.

[cutietwo]

if you have a damsel in there it should be cycling the tank for you. patience is the key..I wouldn't want to add too much bad stuff (ammonia) to your tank or your damsel might not take it very well. (die )

[zymeth90]

will it stink if i throw an uncooked shrimp inside?

[ibanez2k]

Well, as cutietwo said, if you have the damsel in there already you really don't want your ammonia levels to rise too high as it will put your fish at risk. Ammonia burns the gills of your fish and can kill them. There will be enough ammonia naturally occuring because of the fish being in the system to allow the rock to cycle. I'd just give it time and watch your parameters. When things level out and ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates all read 0 then you are good to go.

[zymeth90]

whats growing on my rocks?

[flasherette]

That's just a little featherduster. =) Very common, and a good thing. It means your rock is alive! =)