New member coming over from freshwater

ajm83 · Feb 20, 2021 9:23:03 am

Quote from: ScapeEasy on Feb 19, 2021 11:44:59 pm

Right got it - thanks.

Overall my internet research is leaving me very conflicted as to when I add second/third fish vs soft corals vs euphyllia vs sexy shrimp. Any advice out there?

Both shrimp and LPS are fairly sensitive creatures, I personally would stick the softies in before them.
As long as you can meet its dietary requirements you can add fish whenever as long as the ammonia stays okay (and nitrate for the long term health).

A note on soft corals as well - you might want to run some charcoal and change it regularly to prevent chemical warfare.

mightyhatter · Feb 20, 2021 9:58:33 am

Definitely hold back on euphyllia until the tank is a litte more mature (they may well be fine adding now but my view is always to check with something a little cheaper first!)

My experience is that you don need to treat the addition of fish and corals in te sam either/or way. They need different things from the tank and impact the system differently (eg fish create nitrate (ultimately) while corals dont). I have often added a fish and some corals at the same time with no ill effect. Biggest rule for me is adding the fish slowly and giving the tank time to adjust between additions (havent found the same requirement for corals)

ScapeEasy · Feb 20, 2021 3:47:35 pm

Awesome thanks both

I will check my parameters with the royal gramma over the next week, do a decent sized water change and get some soft corals - most likely finger leather and pulsing Xenia.

Then after another week, I’ll add the hi-fin goby. Decided against the green clown goby as I don’t want too many hidey fish. The royal gramma I know will come out of his shell given time but having just added him the tank currently looks no different! He did have a little excursion earlier but that’s all I’ve seen of him!!. Such a beautiful fish tho so no regrets. Photo below

So choosing to go for a pair of clownfish instead now. Will add those last.

ajm83 · Feb 20, 2021 8:30:29 pm

Awesome, love a royal gramma, they're pretty active when settled in.

Might just be the pic but he looks a bit skinny, keep an eye on him, if he doesn't put on weight he might need worming.

ScapeEasy · Feb 20, 2021 8:37:19 pm

Yeh I thought he looked a bit skinny too - made sure he got some food tonight with a quick hand feed. Doesn’t seem to like the wave maker at the moment but I hope he will do ok when settled in ... ammonia still showing a solid zero

Some more photos...

Carol · Feb 20, 2021 9:11:12 pm

Yep a bit pinched but still looks healthy enough . He should bulk up soon .

mightyhatter · Feb 20, 2021 9:15:16 pm

Agree he should be fine after a few fine meals!

I often find new fish struggle initially the flow.in jome tanks - there normally isnt much in the LFS dispaly tanks so takes them a few days to adjust

Psychotic Madman · Feb 20, 2021 11:08:57 pm

Did he come from Henrys?. I got one from there, he is still a little shy, but comes out at meal times and feeds well.

ScapeEasy · Feb 21, 2021 3:00:45 pm

Yes @Psychotic Madman I got it from the Preston Maidenhead aquatics.

@mightyhatter I had the Wavemaker pointing into the same corner it was placed in earlier and had it out swimming but now have moved the wavemaker again so that there is more flow in the tank again - lots of peaking and one small trip out when it confused a bubble for food so hopefully the gradual increase in flow I’m giving it will work it’s magic soon... I’m sure there was very little in the store so that makes sense. I fed it earlier too - a very good sized meal so giving time for flow adjustment now.

Current wavemaker position as per photo. Not my normal quality of photography

but I’m comfy on the sofa and my little man is playing happy - I ain’t moving till I absolutely have to now

ScapeEasy · Feb 21, 2021 7:22:39 pm

Spied a small nitrite reading tonight (like 0.1mg/l). Less of an issue in marine vs freshwater as salt decreases toxicity and it’s v. low anyway but I will of course now be monitoring closely! No food tomorrow for inhabitants whilst this corrects itself. I have been over feeding the gramma to get some size back into it - although looking online it does seem to me that they all do look a bit like this so I might be worrying about nothing anyway!

Started to see it coming out a bit more with the wavemaker on as shown - have turned off for the night but will leave on tomorrow as I had it today. I thought the flow looked ok anyway for the tank as is... with more corals and grown out macros I might need a bit more but for now I think it’s ok.

Any tips on flow rate given I have a 500l/h pump in the filter compartment of this 60 litre tank anyway? I’m thinking I only need another day 750l/h - 1000l/h from the wavemaker? Also any tips on positioning the wavemaker or can I simply watch a bit of food go round the tank and know all is good?

ajm83 · Feb 21, 2021 8:02:50 pm

Quote from: ScapeEasy on Feb 21, 2021 7:22:39 pm

Spied a small nitrite reading tonight (like 0.1mg/l). Less of an issue in marine vs freshwater as salt decreases toxicity and it’s v. low anyway but I will of course now be monitoring closely! No food tomorrow for inhabitants whilst this corrects itself. I have been over feeding the gramma to get some size back into it - although looking online it does seem to me that they all do look a bit like this so I might be worrying about nothing anyway!

Started to see it coming out a bit more with the wavemaker on as shown - have turned off for the night but will leave on tomorrow as I had it today. I thought the flow looked ok anyway for the tank as is... with more corals and grown out macros I might need a bit more but for now I think it’s ok.

Any tips on flow rate given I have a 500l/h pump in the filter compartment of this 60 litre tank anyway? I’m thinking I only need another day 750l/h - 1000l/h from the wavemaker? Also any tips on positioning the wavemaker or can I simply watch a bit of food go round the tank and know all is good?

He does look a bit skinny to me but he's also quite young judging by the size of his eye compared to the body - could just be that I guess. I tried to get a pic of mine for you to compare but it was just a purple blur! Imagine the dipped in bit behind the front fin not being there.
edit- found a pic that looks like mine

Regarding flow, I think it's more important to have it evenly distributed than the exact numbers. A gentle sway on the coral polyps, bit of waving on your macroalgae and no crap collecting in the rocks/sand would be a reasonable place to start.
I found it quite tough in a nano to achieve that without having dead spots or causing a sandstorm!

In terms of numbers the usual recommendation is 20-100x, but that's almost useless to be honest. It really depends on the type of corals, how tightly packed in they are, how the rocks are arrange etc etc.

mightyhatter · Feb 21, 2021 8:06:31 pm

As ajm83 says 20 times tank volume is a common basic benchmark. If you were planning on SPS then you would want more (50x or 60x isnt uncommon). However i think a lot depends on personal preference and the tank set up (eg impact of rockwork). Indirect flow is generally better than direct and if you can get flows from different sources (eg return and wavemaker) clashing to create variance in turbulence that can also be a positive

ScapeEasy · Feb 21, 2021 8:43:29 pm

I might actually stick with my wavemaker where it is then! Just increase the power tomorrow afternoon. I seem to be getting decent circulation, it’s indirect flow and it clashes with the filter flow!

Thanks for that royal gramma photo it does indeed look like mine is a little thin. Will test nitrite in the morning and off all clear I’ll resume the fattening up diet :)

ajm83 · Feb 21, 2021 9:29:32 pm

Quote from: ScapeEasy on Feb 21, 2021 8:43:29 pm

I might actually stick with my wavemaker where it is then! Just increase the power tomorrow afternoon. I seem to be getting decent circulation, it’s indirect flow and it clashes with the filter flow!

Thanks for that royal gramma photo it does indeed look like mine is a little thin. Will test nitrite in the morning and off all clear I’ll resume the fattening up diet :)

👍 no need to panic, just keep an eye that it's not getting worse

Tank looks great so far btw 😎

ScapeEasy · Feb 23, 2021 7:23:07 pm

Still got my nitrite reading but it’s stable so still not worrying!! Royal Gramma still eating well and getting used to the wavemaker now and feeling much more confident overall and seeing more of it which is great. Next step will be to increase the wave maker to normal operating flow (tomorrow) and I’ll leave it on a low flow setting tonight rather than turning it off as I have been doing.

I received the final piece of my macroalgae puzzle in the post today. Codium. Its really seaweedy looking, I really like it. And it’s hardier than the blue ochtodes that isn’t doing so well (I think what i have left might be picking up but I’ve lost quite a bit)!!

New member coming over from freshwater

New member coming over from freshwater

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