Adrienne

Live rock is no longer live once it dries out so yes you are basically starting from the beginning. Curing it means that it has been washed through removing any crap that will increase nitrate levels. You could be looking at up to 8 or so weeks to get it 'live' before you can add any livestock but that depends on what you do to speed up the process. My only suggestion re your stocking is that you add snails - known as CUC or clean up crew - before fish and as soon as your tank shows it has cycled to start to much on the inevitable algae that will appear My first tank is now 15 months old and this was the processed I used with stocking 1. CUC (snails) 2. 1 small coral followed 1 week later by a single fish. Then I proceeded along the recommended path (mostly) by adding a few corals, 1 at a time, and then the odd fish. The one time I strayed I ended up with an ammonia spike. My 250 litre has a pyjama cardinal, pair of picasso clowns, copperband, rabbitfish, target mandarin and cleaner shrimp in it plus a remaining one or two snails. Yes 12 months for anenomes, they really do need that tank established as do some fish like mandarins. My new build will hopefully be ready to go around the same time as yours

Sorry for not replying yesterday (it's our family Christmas this week). You would need your pH to sit between 7.5 - 8.0 for those two species so anything that raises the level above that will need a buffer of some sort to keep the pH at a level the fish are really happy with. Your pink convicts would likely adjust to a higher pH level if it raised slowly over time but will not breed unless optimum conditions are kept. Buffers like peat in the filter do help but you would then need to check that the level does not drop too low for the dolphins Aarogonite is easier to keep clean than sand but also raises pH. I'm not sure how well snails work in keeping silica sand aerated. MTS are the best substrate stirrers With the sand you either need not to disturb it at all with livestock in the tank or keep it well aerated all the time. Lots of people use sand with no issues, the most common complaint with the white silica (which is not a real sand) is that it is so time consuming to keep clean.

No, its gone.

You will need an ATO at some stage as you will get tired of topping up constantly to keep your skimmer functioning properly. Live rock - how are you currently keeping it live? Just remember starting up a marine tank is a slow, uninspiring process as it takes time. Patience is the key to success and its like watching paint dry.

What other gear do you have?

If you have a reasonable sized tank and don't want to go down the track of collecting nsw, then lowering the salinity with pure dew or RO water to a level suitable for tropical marines (Tropical marine salinity 1.023 - 1.025, NSW salinity 1.027) then investing in a RO unit is a financially worthwhile option. Mine cost $300 for a four stage RODI unit but you can get them way cheaper (I don't know how reliable the cheaper units are). Either way you will also need a TDS metre. Topping up a marine tank is done with RO water or Pure Dew. When salt water evaporates it is only the water that reduces, the salt does not evaporate meaning that the salinity in the tank is higher once evaporation occurs, until the tank is topped up with pure water. My 250 litre tank has a daily evaporation of 4 litres in the spring, summer and autumn months, and about 2 litres per day in the winter. Most marine keepers have an automatic top off unit to stop salinity swings. Some shops will sell RO water, you may be lucky and find another marine keeper who will sell you some of theirs. I hope this helps.

There is no problem mixing the two together. Coral sand will raise the pH so you would need to test to check it is at the correct pH for the cichlids you want as you haven't specified whether you are talking African or South America. Silica sand is very very fine and as most cichlids require a high current due to being such messy feeders you will find it gets into your filters fairly easily. You could put a pre-filter on the strainer and clean it regularly as that would help. White silica can be notoriously hard to keep white. One other thing to consider is that silicon does pack down and if gas forms in the pockets and is released, it can be fatal for the fish. This is not likely to happen if you have a decent amount of coral sand of a larger size though.

What one have you purchased? Normally the instructions have whether or not it is a 7 or 10 day feeder on it. The length of time they last is dependent on how many times a day you have it feeding. They can be random to use - as in unreliable.

Also if you are new to guppys - females can hold the male sperm for up to six months so you won't necessarily have to have a male in your tank for your female to continue giving birth.

My reason for asking if you were looking at new or secondhand is because LivingReef, in ChCh, sells modified AquaReef tanks for what I personally think is a good price. They do ship also. TBH there are not a lot of actual walk into shops that stock much in the way of marine equipment any more but there are some forum members that import and sell out of their homes/trademe. Being from Auckland myself, and the SI before that I can't help you as to what Wellington has to offer in the way of marine equipment. You aren't likely to have cyano issues in the beginning - thats more likely to happen once corals etc begin to block the flow. Hair algae and brown algae is something that really can not be avoided in the early months of the tank, it is part of the cycle and things like bubble algae will come in on frags or live coral.

Good choice not to go the AR980 (I have one but for tropical). Are you going new or looking second hand? Aquareef are good setups but the skimmer and lighting is lacking depending on what you want to do/add. I have the Red Sea Max C250. Sand can be a detritus trap and algae - particularly brown and cyano develops on it rapidly. You can gravel siphon if you have a shallow sand bed, I tend to use a fine airline and siphon it that way very carefully each water change. Either way some sand goes up the siphon but siphoning is essential. I am in the process of setting up a custom built marine and have decided to start off bare bottom and maybe later consider adding sand. Cyano develops in dead patches so good overall water movement is essential. Wavemakers are generally added to stop the dead spots. Bristleworms (nasty little stinging worms) live in substrate, and you can get sand sifting fish to help turn the sand over but that is once your tank is established. In reality you are probably looking up to 7-8 months down the track before all algae issues are completely under control. With marine tanks patience is the key. Once the tank is cycled the addition rate should be no more than 1 coral per week or 1 fish per month. Some fish and corals require mature tanks ie 12 months or more established. Decide what fish you want to keep before you purchase the first one otherwise you may find the one you really really want to add is not compatible with a fish that you have added earlier and catching marines in a tank full of coral rock is a difficult task.

Thats really good to know.

Neither does their website except for the specials. It says to email them for price, size and availability.

Even with the Redwoods and any shops list it is important to realise that the crypts they have for sale may not actually be what they are called. They are not trying to deceive you as that is what they buy them as, but without seeing them flower it is still a bit of a hit and miss affair. Can you get on to facebook?

My rabbitfish from the 250 has to go in to it and so the CBB will have to go too as they are best mates. However the rabbitfish will be the last fish added. Looking at a moorish idol, a blue tang, pair of clowns and probably a couple of mandarins (may just try and move the existing one) and of course shrimp etc etc. Not sure what else at this stage as no where near ready.

You can purchase heater guards which are a good idea if fish do like to play with and shift the heaters as it prevents breakages.

Another update. My tank arrived back yesterday looking heaps tidier than when it left with new silicon around the edges, the overflow and circulation outlets attached. The photos are not great - the tank is in a high light room as it faces a wall of floor - ceiling windows and my Christmas tree means I can not pull the drapes at the moment - but you will get the general idea.

That newish deck looks really good Caryl

Thanks Max

If you spray a small amount of citrus on the tree they won't go near it

Where are you located please?

Lol - we have a new bed and mattress arriving on Friday - well I hope it arrives on Friday! Hubby and I need to take a ride on the bike down to Kawhia and see whats there.

Clearly its not your cup of tea Ira. We have family (son and partner) arriving to stay for eight days next Saturday night so I painted our biggest spare room around three weeks ago. Then two days later my daughter and son-in-law's house sold so they and their dog are moving back in with us on 13 December, until next September while they build again. This meant the slightly smaller spare room was painted and wardrobes, study, cupboards, garage, garden shed and attic cleared out to fit the house load of furniture in - as storage up here is an arm and a leg per week. But, today hubby and I headed out shopping armed with a list of 22 items (not all Christmas) to buy. Three hours later we arrived home with 17 of those 22 items. This year we thought outside the square for presents and let google do the searching for alternative shops to purchase from. It has been a great success. Christmas at my house is 18 December as my son and partner depart on 20th. Christmas with the extended family is 25th. I've been testing out new healthy treat recipes i.e. truffles and cupcakes on anyone who cares to drop in. Here are a few Xmas pics of a small sample of the decorations up at our house. I do love Christmas time!

Is there a good reliable retailer of coral sand in Auckland who have sand in stock on a regular basis? Is that the question as I guess you are posting from something with an auto correct on it. Hollywood fish farm sells it. If they don't have any they will most likely be able to get it in for you from one of the wholesalers.