Getting started

Snails are a must. Dwarf Cerith snails stay pretty small, and if they're on the front glass it's because there's something to eat there. I only clean my front glass and let snails keep the sides, back, and rocks clean.

Nassarius and Astrea snails are also good additions. Nasarius are sand dwellers, they don't climb glass unless they're bored. Astrea will devistate any algae on your glass.

Might also consider a few blue leg hermits, they stay small and won't harass snails and conch. Scarlet and red leg hermits get large and will kill other inverts for their shells - I've seen it twice in the last couple weeks - cool display of how nature works, but at $2.99 a whack for the snails, it's not cheap entertainment....well I guess it is...but whatever. empty shells are $0.10-$0.25 each usually.

I would get a fighting Conch instead, they're smaller- 4". A mature Queen conch wouldn't fit in your tank - 16" or more. They grow quick. Only caveat about a fighting conch is they have a razor sharp foot so careful if you handle them.

Sexy Shrimp are commensal to anemones an I've heard they don't so well without one. You do not want an anemone, even if you think you do.

I would stick with peppermint or Coral shrimps. Coral Banded shrimp can be a bit more aggo, but are more active and look better. Peppermint shrimp eat aptasia, which is a huge bonus...and they'll get used to the tank eventually. Don't mix them.

pistols... from what I've read about them they will readily pair with any single shrimp goby they come across, but the gobies don't really care, so it's hit or miss. the gobies will do fine without a shrimp, and may or may not feel the genetic imperative to pair up. The LFS you get them from should be willing to pair them for you, if not you can do it yourself.... nothing bad will happen if they don't pair, they just won't show the symbiotic behavior.

anyways, tank looks nice, good rock work. I don't think you'll see a 6 week cycle... probably 3-4 max. I used Seachem Stability and swear by it. live rock also shortens a cycle quite a bit.

-Doug

 

I used a single bu;b 24" florescent during my cycle, no algae problems. It's fine to look at it with lights, just no need to blast them all day.

If they don't someone will. marine snails are not as prolific as freshwater snails because their larvae are instant free fish and coral foods.

You can even microwave a cup or two and mix in hot water.... but with a 10% water change as long as you're within 4-5 degrees you'll be safe....mixing your own water is cheaper in the long run, but on a 14g tank buying premixed won't break the bank probably.

Yep. You'll get "salt creep" also, where salt builds up on dry surfaces, but unless you see a swing in SG it shoulnd't cause any problems.

pH could be higher, shoot for 8.0-8.4. Time will probably take care of it tho, no need to add anything just yet. On my cycle I never saw the ammonia spike, just nitirites and nitrates. You'll see other signs tho. Diatom blooms (brown film on sand) and some algae and microfauna growth.

Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates, Calcium, Alkalinity (hardness), Phosphates, pH will be most important. Magnesium, copper, strontium, and iodine are useful to be able to test for if you really want to hit all the bases. ORP is another one... I still need an ORP test kit.

 

Corals are inverts

Specifically the coral polyps are invertebrates.

I added inverts (clean up crew), some fish, some corals, some more inverts, some more fish, some inverts, some corals.... next up is a fish. Flame angel, curious worm fish, mandarin goby... one of those...not sure which.

Just don't drop a bunch of money on fully grown coral colonies, get cheaper frags and let them grow out. If anything goes wrong in your first year you won't have $1000 worth of dead live stock.

 

Thanks Doug! You learn something new every day.
I've come a long way in just a couple of weeks actually...I used to call corals "plants" lol But I think I might actually have a plant growing on my rock I'll have to post pics later, it's small and round and has little hairies around it!

I love the microwave trick, that would be easier than buying a separate heater. The water isnt very expensive, around 80 something cents per gallon. It's best for me right now since I'm learning, I'd be nervous trying to get the right levels. It comes perfect from the store, no worries!

The blue leg hermits don't sound too bad, small is definitely better for me since I have such a tiny tank. Dwarf anything is also good so I'll keep an eye out for those snails. Is the fighting conch nice? I mean by the sound of it's name I'm worried it may be a problem lol I can't wait until I have something that moves in my tank! I was secretly hoping something would have caught a ride home on one of my rocks but I haven't seen anything moving.

Whats all your opinions by the rock in the top right hand corner, it doesn't bother me but my fiance and my step dad said it looks out of place.

Pics to come shortly You have to see my new baby "plant"!!!

 

look at my plant!!

 

Probably not a plant... looks like Aptasia, or maybe a Majano anemone.


They're not good.

Can you get a better picture?

 

Oh bummer, I was so excited to see something growing. Why are they bad? How do I get rid of it?

I tried to zoom in on the pics...the "plant" is practically microscopic I don't even know how I noticed it lol

The pics are actually bigger and it's easier to see when they're full size but the forum automatically resizes the pics to be smaller. Not sure if these are any better

 

Last pic of the little monster, maybe itll grow over the next couple of days and i can get a better pic



And heres my whole tank, much more clear than the last pics

 

So what are your levels at today? I would agree to get snails and hermits. Probably a shrimp would eat that annoying aptasia. My tank is pretty big and all my hermits and shrimp still haven't found my aiptasia. You want to look around for something that will eat that because they spread rapidly, they are a form of an anemone.

So yes, during the cycling process you should be testing for nitrite. Ususally you see spikes in amm, then nitrite, then nitrate. Once, your nitrate is down to 0 the cycle is over. I would add a damselfish and a crab and watch your levels after. If your levels spike a little it's okay and then if you don't want to keep the (mean) damsel make sure your LFS will take him back. But I have a couple yellowtail damsel that are small and hide in rocks but my big devil damsels are mean. After this cycle, introduce only 1 fish at a time, and wait awhile inbetween purchasing new fish. This is just to make sure your beneficial bacteria are keeping up with the additions. Once you completely stock your tank (find out how many inch-per-gallon) you are supposed to have, you will prolly want to do tons of water changes. Like at least once a week. I have not done a water change on the 75g in a month and a half but bigger tanks have more room for error than smaller tanks.

So you need powerheads for air circulation. You need to prepare heated and aerated saltwater for any water changes at least sit for 24 hours. For top off water keep saltwater in a 5 gallon bucket at least 24 hours before you use it, just to be sure it has let the salt dissolve. There are certain aspects you should always consider when thinking about water quality. Temp, toxins, oxygen or aeration, deitrus removal filters, and salt. I know nanos are different tanks, what kind of aeration device does it have? What kind of filter does it have?

And I wouldn't start buying ANY corals. You should start with fish and small inverts like crabs. I made the mistake of buying a urchin so I am holding off on getting my 1st soft coral. Make sure you don't get any fish that will grow out of your tank size. Make sure you research the type of fish you want before purchase and make sure you can take your fish back if for some reason you can't or don't want it after you bring it home...lol

I had an anemone that came with my tank, I took it to the LFS and GAVE it to them cez I wasn't pro enough to keep it alive. It is thriving in the store now.

So, back to the subject, lol...what are your params at? What type of fish are you thinkin about most? lol

 

Turbo snails are for the most part nocturnal. They are big and ugly but usually like to go cleaning at night. Im not even sure where mine hide during the day but I havent seen them with lights on in weeks.