AquaEstaVita Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 Hi all! I've had a few marine tanks but this is my 1st pico tank, I plan to do a reef only tank. I purchased the Petco 3.7, added a heater, power head, about 4 lbs of aquacultured (from my favorite LFS), and 4 lbs of live sand. After 3 weeks I tested the water and the results were: PH-7.8 Ammonia- 0.25 Nitrite- 0 Nitrate- 0 Calcium- 520 + Salt- 32= 1.024 Feedback here is welcomed. I know I have to wait a few months before adding coral and of course update the stock lighting. But I've read many places that say I can now add a cleaner crew. My only issue is there isn't anything for them to clean/eat. No visual algae at the end of week 4. I'd love to add blue hermits as I have heard they are the safest for reef tanks. Any suggestions on the water test above? When I can add my blue hermits? Lastly, what I need to do to prepare for my coral, specially Sun Coral? Thanks in advance, pics below. IMG_0793.JPG IMG_0795.JPG Apparently I need advice on how to post pics from my cell also. Lol Link to comment
CoolGuy77 Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 I would wait on the clean up crew in my opinion. Like you said there is nothing for them to clean at this point. I've heard mixed reviews on blue hermits, and from personal experience they have a tendency to kill snails. I've had good luck with red Scarlet hermits. If you add a hermit, you could feed it while you wait for "natural" food after you add more livestock. Snails would be trickier to feed if there is no algae. Best of luck! Link to comment
ragtimewilly Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 It seems odd that you have ammonia 3 weeks into setting the tank up, are you adding fish food or anything to build up your bacteria? I personally wouldn't add anything until you see 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite. I usually add hermits and snails once I see diatoms or other algae. Also never had an issue with blue legged hermits, one of my favorite cuc. Link to comment
AquaEstaVita Posted November 5, 2015 Author Share Posted November 5, 2015 Thanks for your advice and help. I am not sure why there still, after week 4, isn't any algae growth. I used Top Fin Saltwater and the above info were the test results. I have added 2 small blue legged crabs and drop in small pieces of algae wafers for them. I will be doing a water test this weekend and will post the perimeters. I only want to do a reef tank, which I know I am far from. I have my eyes set on Sun corals. ? I will be upgrading the lighting in a few weeks also. Link to comment
AquaEstaVita Posted November 8, 2015 Author Share Posted November 8, 2015 Update 11/8 I woke up to see little blue legs and thought noooo! My blue legged hermits are fighting for shells. I went to my other tank to grab and rinse some empty shells I had there. Then I'm confused and stressed even more because there were two hermits, I placed two shells totally to 4 but there were only 3. After my water test (results below) I see my smaller hermit Harry on the LR They always stress me when they molt. Anyway water results: PH- 7.8 Amm-0-.25 (too close to see) Nitrite- 0 Nitrate- 20 ppm Cal- not taken Salt- 36 Temp- 83 Sounds good? If not let me know. The algae is still close to none. I am doing a few small algae wafers for my buddies. I have decided on the AI Prime Led. I've read these are great for coral, which I want to get when the tank is ready. I also have figured out the photo thing. Link to comment
NinjaReefer Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 Thats a nice little tank. It looks like you are off to a good start. I would advise against a sun coral though. They are different from most other coral because they are not photosynthetic. They have to get all their energy from spot feedings. You have to feed them a lot pretty often and make sure each mouth gets food. In a large tank this is just a pain in the a$$, but in such a small tank it will also make it very difficult to keep your water clean. Maybe you could do a duncan coral instead. They look similar and are way easier to take care of. Check out the pico tank in my sig. It has all easy corals that should work good for you and the green one in the center is the duncan. Link to comment
ReefJar Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 Your water temp is 83f? It would be considered to be in the upper range. I have my 2 gallon jar at 80.4f and fluctuates up to 80.8f maximum. Perhaps consistency is the most important part, within reason of course. The two pumps are probably contributing the most heat. I recently removed a Rio Plus 50 from my cookie jar and the temp dropped a lot! Link to comment
AquaEstaVita Posted November 9, 2015 Author Share Posted November 9, 2015 Thanks a lot @NinjaReefer. I will look into the Duncan. I figured my blue hermits would clean up the excessive food. But I do see the size and average pump being an issue with the tank staying clean. When do you think I can add coral? The tanks been running a month now, the hermits have lived there about two weeks. I am getting the AI light this weekend. @ReefJar I will unplug the heater, the light and filter system probably are enough heat in that small space. Thanks for the help. Link to comment
AquaEstaVita Posted November 9, 2015 Author Share Posted November 9, 2015 I am thinking about upgrading my tank and saving due to the holiday sales. I'm torn between a 46 g bow front w/stand for a good price but it has nothing in it, no media filter or sump, low quality light. And I want to do a reef so this will be necessary. So I'll be spending on that end. Or I can spend a little more, ok a lot more, and the JBJ rimless 45 g or something like that, the Red Sea is pretty high for the gallons I want. All feedback is welcomed. Go with the cheaper set up and do a sump myself (I worry about cutting holes into the tank) or go with the JBJ and spend wayyyy more but start off w/more. Helpppppp and thanks in advance. Link to comment
ReefJar Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 Upgrade already! What are you going to do with this tank you've just set up? Link to comment
AquaEstaVita Posted November 14, 2015 Author Share Posted November 14, 2015 Upgrade already! What are you going to do with this tank you've just set up? Link to comment
AquaEstaVita Posted November 14, 2015 Author Share Posted November 14, 2015 Lol just got some coral. LFS only said one is a zoa and other a candy cane. What type exactly are they, where do I place them in the tank, what do they eat? I am drip acclimating them. I do have adhesive to remove them from the frag post and place them on the LR or should I just leave them on there?! HELP Link to comment
Elizabeth94 Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 Glad your little hermits are okay. I had some in my old tank and as much as I loved to watch them, they were pains in the butt. They always wanted to sit on top of my corals. One in particular had a habit of sitting on my open brain and I had to banish him to my sump. The others would attack each other even though I provided a mess of shells in the corner of the tank. Good choice on the AI Prime. It is a good priced light and has no problem growing corals. It is also fully controllable. If you get the tank mount just over tighten the screws that go to the light, otherwise it will be really lose and the light will "flop" down at a bad angle. This way you can still adjust it but it will stay where you want it. More water= more stability. But keep in mind you will be paying more for water and salt. Also larger water changes to take care of. As long as you won't get sick of the macitence you will be good. Keep this tank as a quarantine. Link to comment
AquaEstaVita Posted November 14, 2015 Author Share Posted November 14, 2015 Glad your little hermits are okay. I had some in my old tank and as much as I loved to watch them, they were pains in the butt. They always wanted to sit on top of my corals. One in particular had a habit of sitting on my open brain and I had to banish him to my sump. The others would attack each other even though I provided a mess of shells in the corner of the tank. Good choice on the AI Prime. It is a good priced light and has no problem growing corals. It is also fully controllable. If you get the tank mount just over tighten the screws that go to the light, otherwise it will be really lose and the light will "flop" down at a bad angle. This way you can still adjust it but it will stay where you want it. More water= more stability. But keep in mind you will be paying more for water and salt. Also larger water changes to take care of. As long as you won't get sick of the macitence you will be good. Keep this tank as a quarantine. Thanks so far the hermits are behaving, I'll be watching. getting the corals on the live rock with Coraffix, pics soon. The light comes later this week so I am a little worried. Should I keep the uv lights on all night for them? I am going to grab the bigger tank and stash it until I'm ready. This Pico and my 20 tall have me busy enough but I don't want to miss a good deal either. Link to comment
Elizabeth94 Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 Did you do any research on these corals before you bought them? Do you have the AI Prime on the tank now or the old light? Do a coral dip if you don't have a quarantine to get the nasties off them if there are any. Placement depends on light intensity and flow. The zoanthids can go in a lower light area since they aren't too picky and a low/medium flow area of the tank. Trumpets can go in the rock work with medium lighting and medium indirect flow. Thats the basic placements that I have always has success with in my previous tank. Link to comment
AquaEstaVita Posted November 14, 2015 Author Share Posted November 14, 2015 Did you do any research on these corals before you bought them? Do you have the AI Prime on the tank now or the old light? Do a coral dip if you don't have a quarantine to get the nasties off them if there are any. Placement depends on light intensity and flow. The zoanthids can go in a lower light area since they aren't too picky and a low/medium flow area of the tank. Trumpets can go in the rock work with medium lighting and medium indirect flow. Thats the basic placements that I have always has success with in my previous tank. Yes I have been reading forums and asking the "professionals" from different stores for months on end. This isn't my first marine tank but it is my 1st pico reef and 1st time dealing with corals. Thanks for the advice on placement, it's why I come here to hear from people who know and are actually doing things.I did not dip but carefully studied both corals before and after I did the dip method. Sigh* The stock light is on the tank now and is a simple Led. I didn't get the Zoa where I wanted, I have to wait for a pair of extra hands to come home, I didn't want them out of water too long. Maybe I will try again next weekend. The empty spot on the LR above the Zoa is where I want to place it or maybe like you stated I should just leave it. Please keep the feedback going. Link to comment
Elizabeth94 Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 Have your zoanthids opened up yet? I don't know anything about your stock light.. I would imagine it is fairly weak considering it is a stock light (as they usually are). I have no idea how it will be with the corals you have now. I would get the Prime as soon as you can. It is also strange how you haven't had any algae growth.. My tank has been set up for a week max and I have diatoms all over the rock and some starting on the sand. Just as my old tank started out. Link to comment
AquaEstaVita Posted November 15, 2015 Author Share Posted November 15, 2015 Have your zoanthids opened up yet? I don't know anything about your stock light.. I would imagine it is fairly weak considering it is a stock light (as they usually are). I have no idea how it will be with the corals you have now. I would get the Prime as soon as you can. It is also strange how you haven't had any algae growth.. My tank has been set up for a week max and I have diatoms all over the rock and some starting on the sand. Just as my old tank started out. Yes the Zoas opened up see the terrible cell night picture. I'll be posting an am pic also. I know I and I'm sure they can't wait for the lights. I am lost on the algae also. I wonder what others with this tank (Petco 3.7 g) are experiencing. I don't have Chemi Pure or anything in here. Link to comment
Elizabeth94 Posted November 15, 2015 Share Posted November 15, 2015 What kind of flow are you getting out of that powerhead? It looks gigantic. If your tank was bigger I would ship you a tune 6015 but it would probably kill that tank hehe. Post up the corals tomorrow, Id love to see that they open up for you. Its a huger relief when you see happy coral the day after adding them. Link to comment
AquaEstaVita Posted November 15, 2015 Author Share Posted November 15, 2015 What kind of flow are you getting out of that powerhead? It looks gigantic. If your tank was bigger I would ship you a tune 6015 but it would probably kill that tank hehe. Post up the corals tomorrow, Id love to see that they open up for you. Its a huger relief when you see happy coral the day after adding them. The power head was a quick buy and the flow seems great. Thanks for the offer, I'll be getting a small one soon just have to budget or like others I'll go crazy and broke lol. The candy hasn't opened or changed much but the Zoa has opened again this morning. Any advice on what I can feed them maybe twice a week? I was thinking some Zooplanktos- S Zooplankton by Brightwell I just am not sure if the candy will eat it though. A few questions should I try again next weekend to place the Zoa on the LR or leave it there. Also would it be ok if I got a small goby to help the hermits keep the tank clean and complete the family? If so what species and if not what other pico safe fish would you recommend? Link to comment
Elizabeth94 Posted November 15, 2015 Share Posted November 15, 2015 You can move the zoanthids to a spot you like better, that shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure they won't be blasted by that powerhead. Zoanthids really don't have a strong feeding response like palys do, but if you feed the tank make sure it is a small amount. That tank is so small the last thing you need is an ammonia spike. Gobies won't clean the tank like you might think. They will increase your bioload. However, I think if anything a little neon goby would do just fine as long as your parameters are in line. I hear you about going broke, after bills my money has been going towards my new system. On of the family owned out stores here was charging $18 for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate tests A PEICE! No wonder why I never go there for anything. Back to my longer drive to the coral store hehe. Link to comment
NinjaReefer Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 I think a small goby would be your best choice for a fish, but like Elizabeth said, they wont keep your tank clean. Just the opposite. I would suggest waiting a couple months to let your tank stabalize before you add a fish. Link to comment
Elizabeth94 Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 How do your trumpets look? You may not be ready for ups just yet, but the zoanthids should be fine. Link to comment
AquaEstaVita Posted November 17, 2015 Author Share Posted November 17, 2015 I think a small goby would be your best choice for a fish, but like Elizabeth said, they wont keep your tank clean. Just the opposite. I would suggest waiting a couple months to let your tank stabalize before you add a fish. Yes I think I'll be waiting.... patience. How do your trumpets look? You may not be ready for ups just yet, but the zoanthids should be fine. My trumpets aren't as happy as my zoanthids. They are looking a little shriveled and leaning a little. Ups, meaning upgrades? If so I am taking my time. I love this tank and am excited to see it grow. Link to comment
Elizabeth94 Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 Haha sorry. I meant LPS. Dumb spell check. Your tank is just fine Link to comment
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