Couple questions

[DaveMc]

Evening all,

 

I have a couple questions that I would like to get some input on. First deals with clown fish. I am currently about 2 weeks away from finishing the cycle on my 10g Nano. I have heard that it isn't a good idea to put clowns in a tank this size. At the same time I have seen 10g nano's with 1-2 clowns in them doing great. What do you think? Clown's or no clowns.

 

Second, salt creep or lack there of. Since I have started the cycle of my tank i have noticed a fluctuation in the salinity. One minute it is fine at 1.023-1.025 then the next time I check it is down to 1.016! I have notices a "little" salt creep around the inner edges of the frame on the tank. I basically mix it back in with the tank water and then top off from the evaporation but my salinity still stays low unless I take some water out, add more salt to it and then put it back in. Is it possible that the salt is evaporating with the water as well?

 

Sounds strange I know but I am at a loss. No leaks and no salt creep anywhere else in the tank.

 

Thanks for any assistance

[matt1977]

Hi..

 

Lots of debate about clowns in Nanos... Some will say if you keep the tank in top condition - it's ok to have more inhabitants. Some say it's cruel to keep them in a small confined spaces... I will not get into it. I've had 2 clowns in a 10 gallon... but upgraded to a 16 gallon.

 

Re Salinity... Are you using a refractometer or hydrometer? Hydrometers aren't as accurate.

Are you skimming whilst cycling?

[FlowerMama]

You can get a refractometer cheap on amazon. Guarantee your numbers will be more stable. Are you topping off w/ RO/DI in the morning, after work and at bed time? You'll want to do this to keep the tank as stable as it can be. Salt doesn't evaporate.

[frankdontsurf]

I have a maroon in my 10. The rate he's going he won't be able to be in there another year. He's grown a whole lot in a few months. Im ok witj raising him to trade him in later one of my kids wanted a nemo. Also he craps like a 6' tall 200lb man. He's the only fish along with 4 snails.

 

There are some really neat fishies for small tanks. Look around you can get some great characters for your display.

 

Hydrometers are quite accurate. Cheap refractors are more money and less accurate that your typical plastic hydrometer. The most accurate is a glass lab hydrometer the one that looks like a giant dropper. I'll get you a link if you need.

 

Make sure you're rinsing the hydrometer with ro/di. When you go to measure fill it with tank water pour that back in and refill it and flick away the bubbles (microbubbles too). When you're done rinse with rodi water.

[DaveMc]

Awesome, thank you everyone for the replies. Currently yes, I am using a hydrometer and was planning on getting a refractometer to see if there was any difference.

 

As far as the clowns, I think I will wait...planning on a bigger tank at the beginning of the year and will get them then. Looking at a 38-40g AIO which I think will be much better for me.

 

Skimming, no not at this time. Was wondering if anything I have in my filter may be causing this as far as the media I may be using?

[Legendary Corals]

Welcome to the hobby! You're in for a lot of fun.

 

For a ten gallon, I'd say you can put a clownfish in there, maybe in a pair (I had a pair in a 12). They aren't the most active fish. Start with a small one though, preferably 1", and stick with either occelaris or percula clownfish. I'd avoid the other ones since other types of clownfish are usually more aggressive and will need more tank space just for territory. But there's also tons of nano fish to choose from. Here's an amazing guide that I loved when I first got into this hobby:

http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/74703-lgreens-ultimate-guide-to-nano-fish/

 

As for the salt readings, if there's no leaks then all I can assume is either the water changes you're making are at different salinities or the hydrometer is wrong. I'd invest in a refractometer. For how much you're already investing and about to invest, it's definitely a necessity to have a tool that will give you more accurate readings on your tank. I'm lazy and have the electronic milwaukee refractometer.

[DaveMc]

Welcome to the hobby! You're in for a lot of fun.

 

For a ten gallon, I'd say you can put a clownfish in there, maybe in a pair (I had a pair in a 12). They aren't the most active fish. Start with a small one though, preferably 1", and stick with either occelaris or percula clownfish. I'd avoid the other ones since other types of clownfish are usually more aggressive and will need more tank space just for territory. But there's also tons of nano fish to choose from. Here's an amazing guide that I loved when I first got into this hobby:

http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/74703-lgreens-ultimate-guide-to-nano-fish/

 

As for the salt readings, if there's no leaks then all I can assume is either the water changes you're making are at different salinities or the hydrometer is wrong. I'd invest in a refractometer. For how much you're already investing and about to invest, it's definitely a necessity to have a tool that will give you more accurate readings on your tank. I'm lazy and have the electronic milwaukee refractometer.

Cool, I will see what happens when I get ready to add livestock....I wants clowns but I don't want to run into issues with too small of a tank lol.

 

As far as water changes I haven't done any yet, still in the cycling process at this time and was told not to do any until the cycle is finished, then do a change to make sure levels are fine and then add livestock. I think it has to do with my hydrometer. I clean it in clean water before use, fill it up with tank water, empty it out and fill a second time and still the readings are back and forth.

 

I have a maroon in my 10. The rate he's going he won't be able to be in there another year. He's grown a whole lot in a few months. Im ok witj raising him to trade him in later one of my kids wanted a nemo. Also he craps like a 6' tall 200lb man. He's the only fish along with 4 snails.

 

There are some really neat fishies for small tanks. Look around you can get some great characters for your display.

 

Hydrometers are quite accurate. Cheap refractors are more money and less accurate that your typical plastic hydrometer. The most accurate is a glass lab hydrometer the one that looks like a giant dropper. I'll get you a link if you need.

 

Make sure you're rinsing the hydrometer with ro/di. When you go to measure fill it with tank water pour that back in and refill it and flick away the bubbles (microbubbles too). When you're done rinse with rodi water.

Thanks for the info Frank. Yes if you have a link for the glass hydrometer please do send it. My LFS didn't have any refractometers or glass ones when I checked. Would like to actually try both lol.

[DaveMc]

Have another question. In my current 10g nano I have a firefish, 4 hermits and a astrea snail. Would it be okay to add a yellow watchman Goby to the tank as well? This is the only other fish I would want in a 10g, the rest will be Softies, LPS and inverts.

 

All input is welcome