ChrisS
- #1
HI all,
Great site, been scouting this website for months taking tips and experience from you all. This is my first post. I am new to SW, but close to taking the plunge (after many months of research) and would like to post a few thoughts and questions below. Any thoughts or advice would be massively appreciated.
Tank: 90G-100G FOWLR. I have the space for this in my house and seen its advised to go as big as you can, for many reasons (qty of fish, fish type, water level control etc.) At this stage I am on the verge of going for a tank without a sump. I have also been told I do not necessarily need a protein skimmer, but go for a good quality one if I can afford to as they help. I am taking the stance of go without for a few months and monitor. If I need one down the line I will take the plunge.
Fish: (Introduced in this order) I think! Advice welcome again.
2 x Cleaner Shrimp
2 x Peppermint Shrimp
1 x Fire Shrimp
1 x Watchman Goby/Pistol Shrimp Duo
2 x Clownfish
1 x Royal Gramma
1 x Yellow Tang
1 x Flame Angel
2 x Blue or Green Chromis
Optional:
1 x Six Line Wrasse - Not sure on this as have been told it may nip at other fish? Any advice if it would be ok?
1 x Coral Beauty - Note sure on this as have been told Coral Beauty's and Flame Angels are 50/50 mixing with each other as they may turn aggressive. Can I have both in the tank and keep them fed enough?
Is this ok in terms of stocking levels for 90-100G tank? Ultimately longer term I have the ambition of turning this into a reef tank but am aware this is a couple of years down the line when my tank is more established and I have more experience. I will then need a protein skimmer amongst other things I imagine.
Cycle: This may be a really simple area for experienced fish keepers but it has taken me a while to wrap my head around it. Can some test my logic? Basically I add the Live Rock and Sand/Substrate, add water that has been mixed between 1.022-1.025 and turn all equipment on and let it cycle over 4-5 weeks. I should test it every day/every other day. I will expect small amounts of ammonia on week 1, ammonia will rise and peak on week 2, may get small amounts of nitrite on week 2, ammonia will reduce and taper off on week 3, nitrite will peak and taper off by end of week 3, nitrates will be found in week 4 as well as some brown algae potentially, do a water change of 20% in week 5 and slowly add clean up crew first, followed by the fish above every 2 - 3 weeks there after whilst continuing to monitor.
My last question (from my misses) is regarding smell. I have read on many sites and using common sense that tanks only start smelling if they are not being fully cared for. I am assuming if I manage 10% weekly or 20% 2 weekly water changes, not overfeed my fish, clean my tank regularly and my substrate, there should not be a smell?
Any advice on the above, or any areas I need to improve?
Many thanks from the UK!
Chris
Great site, been scouting this website for months taking tips and experience from you all. This is my first post. I am new to SW, but close to taking the plunge (after many months of research) and would like to post a few thoughts and questions below. Any thoughts or advice would be massively appreciated.
Tank: 90G-100G FOWLR. I have the space for this in my house and seen its advised to go as big as you can, for many reasons (qty of fish, fish type, water level control etc.) At this stage I am on the verge of going for a tank without a sump. I have also been told I do not necessarily need a protein skimmer, but go for a good quality one if I can afford to as they help. I am taking the stance of go without for a few months and monitor. If I need one down the line I will take the plunge.
Fish: (Introduced in this order) I think! Advice welcome again.
2 x Cleaner Shrimp
2 x Peppermint Shrimp
1 x Fire Shrimp
1 x Watchman Goby/Pistol Shrimp Duo
2 x Clownfish
1 x Royal Gramma
1 x Yellow Tang
1 x Flame Angel
2 x Blue or Green Chromis
Optional:
1 x Six Line Wrasse - Not sure on this as have been told it may nip at other fish? Any advice if it would be ok?
1 x Coral Beauty - Note sure on this as have been told Coral Beauty's and Flame Angels are 50/50 mixing with each other as they may turn aggressive. Can I have both in the tank and keep them fed enough?
Is this ok in terms of stocking levels for 90-100G tank? Ultimately longer term I have the ambition of turning this into a reef tank but am aware this is a couple of years down the line when my tank is more established and I have more experience. I will then need a protein skimmer amongst other things I imagine.
Cycle: This may be a really simple area for experienced fish keepers but it has taken me a while to wrap my head around it. Can some test my logic? Basically I add the Live Rock and Sand/Substrate, add water that has been mixed between 1.022-1.025 and turn all equipment on and let it cycle over 4-5 weeks. I should test it every day/every other day. I will expect small amounts of ammonia on week 1, ammonia will rise and peak on week 2, may get small amounts of nitrite on week 2, ammonia will reduce and taper off on week 3, nitrite will peak and taper off by end of week 3, nitrates will be found in week 4 as well as some brown algae potentially, do a water change of 20% in week 5 and slowly add clean up crew first, followed by the fish above every 2 - 3 weeks there after whilst continuing to monitor.
My last question (from my misses) is regarding smell. I have read on many sites and using common sense that tanks only start smelling if they are not being fully cared for. I am assuming if I manage 10% weekly or 20% 2 weekly water changes, not overfeed my fish, clean my tank regularly and my substrate, there should not be a smell?
Any advice on the above, or any areas I need to improve?
Many thanks from the UK!
Chris