PaulD Posted November 25, 2003 Report Share Posted November 25, 2003 Hi everyone Bit of background about me first..... I've been keeping fish for about 7 years, started off breeding African cichlids, then moved to breeding Discus (small garage setup with 3 tanks) but decided I needed a change so I have just started a marine setup The marine tank is a 4ft with about 220 litre volume. I have cut off a corner of the tank to make an in tank sump with surface overflow, much like the ones you see in Jansens etc. In the "sump" I have 2*200watt heaters, a protein skimmer feed by a deciated pump, and a 2600litre/hour return pump. There are 2 other powerheads in the tank. It's got 40kg of fiji rock which is left over from my African breeding days and fijian sand thats all. I have just started cycling and was told to put a small piece of shrimp in the tank to help the process (let it breakdown). I read on one of the posts maybe this isn't always a good idea, Any comments? The tank is effectively "dead" at present with 3 day old treated water at 78f, PH 8.2, 1.024 salinity. What are the best options to get it started. I was advised just to leave it for 4 weeks but have been thinking about crabs, etc from the local beach to help get the good guys (also micro etc) into the tank. Any advice on adding things from the local beach? Is it more risk than it's worth?. What are the risks of parasites? what about using natural seawater (fresh)? I live close to a few beaches so could collect and get it into the tank within 30min's Thanks for any advice Cheers Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted November 26, 2003 Report Share Posted November 26, 2003 There are a few people herer (PEETY where are you?) who have tried dead shrimp etc to speed the cycle. Forget it, will cause poultion, and seems unnessessary. Use the beach. Get hermit crabs, snails and shrimp. These will do the business. Check my web site for photos of snails, crabs and shrimp from the rock pools. Remeber to aclimitise them slowly. Don't rush into buying a fish from Jansens or wherever until the tank has cycled (test it with kits). The cycle in salt is much much much more violent than in freshwater. Just let it happen. Light the tank just a little. The more light, the more algae. Although Algae is not really a problem initially (first fish food), it is ugly. Keep the light down, will keep the algae down. Good luck. Pies www.homereef.co.nz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulD Posted November 26, 2003 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2003 Thanks Pies for the info I had a look at your web site earlier. Impressive tank. Noticed the hermits and glass shrimp. I'll have to go and have a look over the weekend and see whats available in local rockpools. I have now removed the piece of shrimp which I had in the tank and cut the lighting back to 3.5hrs a day rather than the 6 it was getting. About using the beaches. I hear what your saying but still a bit concerned about unwanted parasites/pollution. Do you use natural seawater? Also, what's the story with treating the beach caught items, dip them in something (chemical) or fresh water like they reccommend for fish? How far through the cycling process do I need to be before I add these. Can they handle the early spikes or do I need to wait for the tank to be fully cycled before adding these guys? Heaps of questions but any more advice would be great. Cheers Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briank Posted November 26, 2003 Report Share Posted November 26, 2003 Hi Paul, I have cold water marine tanks and I get my fishes from the beachs around northshore beaches and I use water from the beach. Up till now, i did not have any outbreak of any deseases. visit my web site and see some pictures of fishes and inverts that I have. I don't suggest collecting rocks from the local beach for your tropical marine tank coz they might contain unwanted animals and they don't do too well in warm tropical temperatures. The sand on our beaches has alot of iron ore and many unwanted minerals so I dont suggest using them as live sand to kick start the cycling of your tank. Hermit crabs, shrimps are good first animal for your tank. they would increase the bioload of your tank gradually. You can also catch copepods from under stones, think they should do ok. the ones I have in my marine tank are breeding all the time. Cheers, good luck with your tropical marine tank!! wished I can have one too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted November 26, 2003 Report Share Posted November 26, 2003 Cut the lighting right back, all light is doing right now is growing algae. I use natural seawater, as do most people I know. I have heard stories about poultants, but never parasites. I would be surprised if they could survive in the warm water, and then this fish etc would eat them anyway! I have no intention of changing from natural seawater YMMV. A freshwater dip may be a good idea, personally I never bother. I just slowly acclimitise them, then net them out and put them in the tank (i don't want rockpool water in the tank. I've got glass shrimps over 6 months old. snails similar age, and hermits. Get some and put them in. Start with just a few. Add a few more every week or 2. If they die, its an excellent source of amonia for the cycle anyway. As for when to put them in, I would do it now. They may or may not survive the cycle (I suspect they will), but they are free. Its not cool to kill things, but better a rockpool snail than a $200.00 fish. Ask away, am glad to help. As for test kits, buy Salifert, they seem to be the best (most accurate) and the best value. Pies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulD Posted November 27, 2003 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2003 Thanks Brian/Pies This is all good stuff. Brian, great web site. You collected all those here in auckland? I doubt the fish could take the temp change to my tank (25c)but the hermits and glass shirmp look like a go. Pies, the room the tank is in gets a fair bit of natural light (not direct) so i'll turn the overheads off completely during the cycle. Pies, excuse my ignorance but I took the shrimp(piece) out to avoid pollution but you say if a hermit crab dies to leave it/them in the tank? Not trying to be difficult but if a hermit dies wouldn't I want to remove it for the same reason during the cycle? Thanks again Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janey Posted November 27, 2003 Report Share Posted November 27, 2003 Yeah good point. Hermits are small though (size of a small finger nail), but your right. Yeah get the lights down/off. I got really eager when my tank was cycling, and all I got for it was green hair algae, and lots of it. On temprature, most things can't handle the heat. I run my tank 24C. Good luck Pies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted November 27, 2003 Report Share Posted November 27, 2003 Hrmmm someone has been using my PC... Pies... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briank Posted November 27, 2003 Report Share Posted November 27, 2003 Thanks Paul. I got all those fishes from around north shore. The temperature in my tanks at the moment are around 22C, and they seem to be doing fine. I also wonder if they can survive higher. I guess they have slowly aclimatize over time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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