Hydrometer-- low gravity

I actually cycled with 2 damsels and they both survived. A few months later I lost power due to Hurricane Ike for 60 hours. My clowns and inverts survived that little ordeal while both damsels died 2 days later.

I think they were still stressed from the cycle so weren't able to withstand the later problem. They do survive the cycle, but my one experience says it weakens them for a long while; lose their hardiness so to speak.

 

I agree with Peredhil, go ebay and get a refractometer.. so easy, and kinda fun! They seem more complicated, but a hydrometer is more of a pain in the butt. That Petco water I believed is harvested too close to shore to not be polluted. I believe you need to be 5 miles out to get good water from the ocean. Mix it with ro, DI, or RO/DI.

 

I have always used damsels to cycle my tanks sometimes you lose them but if you want them out later they can be a pain to catch.

 

Thanks for the info.

Does anyone know what types of fish I could actually keep in the tank and how many? I don't want to end up buying something that won't do well in the tank...waste of money and waste of a life!

It's a 34 gallon.

Thanks!

 

If you are referring to while you cycle - go with a damsel or chromi. They usually survive, I just wanted you to be aware that it *might* not.

If you mean post cycle - that really depends on a zillion factors. Some fish you can keep together, some you can't. Some are safe with corals, some will eat corals. Etc.

 

I used plain old white ammonia, about 1/2 a cup of it. No fish loss and no mean damsels to catch after the tank is cycled. To each his own I guess.
Marine Depot has good refractometers for $40, and it's safer than ebay, IMO anyway.

 

Yeah, I am going to buy a refractometer. I wish I never bought this hydrometer- it's not really that much less than a refractometer when you think about it. Wish I had known, ah well!

I think I'm going to grab some Damsels or 2 false percs. The rock I have is fully cured. I'm really excited to get some coral or stuff to put on the live rock. I like the frogspawn. Does anyone locally sell frags?