chris_mcmanus1
01-07-2008, 09:41 PM
Hello to everyone,
Ive recently converted over from keeping tropicals to wanting marine (who doesn't eventually!!), im in the very early stages of cycling my tank (DAY 5) but am trying to read up as much as possible and become involved in the marine keeping community.
At present i have a 20g tank (the best a student can do!), fluval 305, trickle filter, appropriate lighting and heating and 4 large pieces of live rock. Im awaiting a delivery of a 6x8x4" refugium only really cause I like the thought of a mini-area where i can house mangroves or something alike.
From my little reading so far of the many informative posts on this site i am soon becoming interested in ensuring that when i finally introduce fish there are as strong as possible. Ive read from Zeus that when fish are ill or diseased, "you can use flake food enriched with Beta Glucan to boost the fishes immune system". I am wondering whether this is advisablefrom the outset of introducing fish and what other measure would be advisable?
I, like im sure many other prefers, to stay as close to natural methods as possible and not using pre made chemicals, however i am aware that this is not always a choice when we choose to recreate a micro-ecosystem.
Furthermore, if anybody has any suggestions in relation to what i could be doing in the mean time with my tank while it cycles id be grateful! I do have a few questions off the top of my head.... so here goes;
when could i add plants to the tank or refugium?
is it a good idea to add plant into tank or do they become to much of a nuisance?
do you recommend mangrove, looks easy enough to obtain from ebay etc?
Ive read that if i have a plentiful supply of mangrove it eradicates the use for a protien skimmer, esp in a smaller tank like mine?
do i place fish into tank before corals?
when can i put crabs in?
do i need a wave maker or will a small filter (which i already have in possesion from 1st ever tank!) blowing onto live rock be sufficient for corals?
I think thats probably enough questions for one night, im sure its not hard to tell im really loving the idea of maintaining a successful and healthy tank, utilizing aqualog to record my tank readings every other day.
Regards and once more hello,
Chris
Ive recently converted over from keeping tropicals to wanting marine (who doesn't eventually!!), im in the very early stages of cycling my tank (DAY 5) but am trying to read up as much as possible and become involved in the marine keeping community.
At present i have a 20g tank (the best a student can do!), fluval 305, trickle filter, appropriate lighting and heating and 4 large pieces of live rock. Im awaiting a delivery of a 6x8x4" refugium only really cause I like the thought of a mini-area where i can house mangroves or something alike.
From my little reading so far of the many informative posts on this site i am soon becoming interested in ensuring that when i finally introduce fish there are as strong as possible. Ive read from Zeus that when fish are ill or diseased, "you can use flake food enriched with Beta Glucan to boost the fishes immune system". I am wondering whether this is advisablefrom the outset of introducing fish and what other measure would be advisable?
I, like im sure many other prefers, to stay as close to natural methods as possible and not using pre made chemicals, however i am aware that this is not always a choice when we choose to recreate a micro-ecosystem.
Furthermore, if anybody has any suggestions in relation to what i could be doing in the mean time with my tank while it cycles id be grateful! I do have a few questions off the top of my head.... so here goes;
when could i add plants to the tank or refugium?
is it a good idea to add plant into tank or do they become to much of a nuisance?
do you recommend mangrove, looks easy enough to obtain from ebay etc?
Ive read that if i have a plentiful supply of mangrove it eradicates the use for a protien skimmer, esp in a smaller tank like mine?
do i place fish into tank before corals?
when can i put crabs in?
do i need a wave maker or will a small filter (which i already have in possesion from 1st ever tank!) blowing onto live rock be sufficient for corals?
I think thats probably enough questions for one night, im sure its not hard to tell im really loving the idea of maintaining a successful and healthy tank, utilizing aqualog to record my tank readings every other day.
Regards and once more hello,
Chris