cq28
12-17-2005, 02:17 AM
cq28's - Nano Not So Build Off - Zoos/Shrooms/o and Balloons?
Alright folks finally got around to getting this done. I've wanted to tag in for quite sometime now. It all started back in September when I woke up one morning and said I'm getting a fish tank, literally like that. I'm not sure whynow that I try and think back.I knew I've always wanted to get a pet of my own, but I couldn't really take care of a dog with the schedule I run and I'm not the reptile keeper either. I've always had a thing for the ocean and behold a fish tank. My experience is down to nothing, nada, zip, zero. My father had a fish tank along time ago, but I was too young to understand it. I tell him he had no idea what he was doing after what you guys have taught me. I remember him removing fish to clean the tank, big mistake. I always wondered why we lost all of our fish so often, silly old man (but I love ‘em, and he did keep a clean tank...a dead one, but still clean….algae what).
I walked into the local fish store not knowing that would be the day my bank account started to vanish. I thought these little creatures of the sea were going to be inexpensive and loving; they turned out to be a challenge to say the least. It's all the other stuff that got me good in the back pocket (Equipment, Corals). $408.68, that's what it took the first time. And let me tell you, for a nano, I still didn't have all the proper equipment.
I started to cycle the 29 of September and got done October 2, and that very same day I finished cycling I purchased my first fish (couldn't wait any longer). I threw a raw shrimp to get the cycle going and it worked very well. I saw an ammonia spike which eventually subsided. I left the lights off for most of the cycle, even though it didn't really matter (from what I was told). The lights were recommended by the kid at the local fish store. I did not bother to check the forum until after I bought the first set of goodies (big mistake). I would have preferred more powerful lights but it was my fault and no one else. I told him I really didn't know what I was doing and was looking for a good start. That's exactly what I got. The filter is the skilter 250, not a whole lot of DIY involved, but it does work my friends. I love the gadget as it does what I need it to do. It can be loud if you have it in your room (like I do) but you learn to enjoy the sounds. If you have a tank outside it would definitely not be a bother. The pumps I did not get until I visited another LFS and was recommended only one but per recommendation on the forum I bought another one, and that I believe was the right choice. At first I thought it was too strong for the inhabitants, but it does fine. The rest is self explanatory. The only thing that bothered me during the whole cycle was the aquascape and the positioning of the pumps. I finally got it figured out at the very end. The rocks I enjoy one way (the way you see it in the final setup, pic will be up on next few posts) and the pumps do well facing each other at certain angles. Doesn't create too much current for the fish or polyps I have. If you have any questions for me by all means throw them out there and I'll try to answer them (questions in regard to the tank because I still don't knowsmudge about reef tanks). Like I said before, I'm just the rookie.
More to come, but while I finish thinking what to post this is what it looked like when I got done setting it up...
http://www.captivereefing.ws/album_pic.php?pic_id=618
20 Gallon Glass Tank
Skilter 250(Full of LR and Chaeto)
2 Rio Pump 400
5 Watt Visi-Therm
CoralifeAqualight 130 Watt Output (PC's)Lunar Blue Moon Glow LED Lamp
40 lbs. Live Sand (Started with only 20, added another 20 probably week later)
Approximately 30 lbs. Live Rock (Again, started off with about 20, added 10 later)
http://www.captivereefing.com/richedit/upload/2k1ad342769a.jpg
http://www.captivereefing.com/richedit/upload/2kfa7058b3f1.jpg (http://www.captivereefing.com/richedit/upload/2kfa7058b3f1.jpg)
Best Regards,
Alright folks finally got around to getting this done. I've wanted to tag in for quite sometime now. It all started back in September when I woke up one morning and said I'm getting a fish tank, literally like that. I'm not sure whynow that I try and think back.I knew I've always wanted to get a pet of my own, but I couldn't really take care of a dog with the schedule I run and I'm not the reptile keeper either. I've always had a thing for the ocean and behold a fish tank. My experience is down to nothing, nada, zip, zero. My father had a fish tank along time ago, but I was too young to understand it. I tell him he had no idea what he was doing after what you guys have taught me. I remember him removing fish to clean the tank, big mistake. I always wondered why we lost all of our fish so often, silly old man (but I love ‘em, and he did keep a clean tank...a dead one, but still clean….algae what).
I walked into the local fish store not knowing that would be the day my bank account started to vanish. I thought these little creatures of the sea were going to be inexpensive and loving; they turned out to be a challenge to say the least. It's all the other stuff that got me good in the back pocket (Equipment, Corals). $408.68, that's what it took the first time. And let me tell you, for a nano, I still didn't have all the proper equipment.
I started to cycle the 29 of September and got done October 2, and that very same day I finished cycling I purchased my first fish (couldn't wait any longer). I threw a raw shrimp to get the cycle going and it worked very well. I saw an ammonia spike which eventually subsided. I left the lights off for most of the cycle, even though it didn't really matter (from what I was told). The lights were recommended by the kid at the local fish store. I did not bother to check the forum until after I bought the first set of goodies (big mistake). I would have preferred more powerful lights but it was my fault and no one else. I told him I really didn't know what I was doing and was looking for a good start. That's exactly what I got. The filter is the skilter 250, not a whole lot of DIY involved, but it does work my friends. I love the gadget as it does what I need it to do. It can be loud if you have it in your room (like I do) but you learn to enjoy the sounds. If you have a tank outside it would definitely not be a bother. The pumps I did not get until I visited another LFS and was recommended only one but per recommendation on the forum I bought another one, and that I believe was the right choice. At first I thought it was too strong for the inhabitants, but it does fine. The rest is self explanatory. The only thing that bothered me during the whole cycle was the aquascape and the positioning of the pumps. I finally got it figured out at the very end. The rocks I enjoy one way (the way you see it in the final setup, pic will be up on next few posts) and the pumps do well facing each other at certain angles. Doesn't create too much current for the fish or polyps I have. If you have any questions for me by all means throw them out there and I'll try to answer them (questions in regard to the tank because I still don't knowsmudge about reef tanks). Like I said before, I'm just the rookie.
More to come, but while I finish thinking what to post this is what it looked like when I got done setting it up...
http://www.captivereefing.ws/album_pic.php?pic_id=618
20 Gallon Glass Tank
Skilter 250(Full of LR and Chaeto)
2 Rio Pump 400
5 Watt Visi-Therm
CoralifeAqualight 130 Watt Output (PC's)Lunar Blue Moon Glow LED Lamp
40 lbs. Live Sand (Started with only 20, added another 20 probably week later)
Approximately 30 lbs. Live Rock (Again, started off with about 20, added 10 later)
http://www.captivereefing.com/richedit/upload/2k1ad342769a.jpg
http://www.captivereefing.com/richedit/upload/2kfa7058b3f1.jpg (http://www.captivereefing.com/richedit/upload/2kfa7058b3f1.jpg)
Best Regards,