New to salt water

welcome!

I love nanos! I got my first nano (12 gal) for Christmas 5 years ago. My husband got me a 6 gal 2 years ago for Valentines. They are fun, but limited with space when it comes to live rock and coral.

You have to post pictures:

 

Welcome to the madness! Oh, I mean bliss! Here is my little essay on tank cycling;
Tank cycling:There are some who would tell you that once "the numbers" are all good the cycle is over and you are ready to go, I am not one of those. What many beginner (even some advanced) aquarium keepers are not (fully) aware of is that the full cycle takes at least 6-8 months. The reason being, mainly, is this is the time required to fully cultivate a total beneficial bacterial base and achieve a saturation of such. Also, allowing the tank to "season" and go through the inevitable mini-cycles and diatom blooms and get fully established is the key to a healthy and stable tank in the future. When using live rock and/or sand, the die off will start the cycle. You could have one fish after about the 6 week mark, let the tank get established by light feeding and going through a moderate light cycle (6-8 hours) for the next 3 weeks.At the 2 month mark, A 25% water change of the "total"water volume is in order. After that, add a few clean up critters (crabs and/or snails) and allow the tank to "catch up" to the added load (you may at this time add some live bacteria to help in this process) and give it another 2 weeks doing all your tests on a regular (weekly) basis and determine if the tank is stable. Water changes of 30% should be carried out once a month to once every 5-6 weeks. Coral should not be introduced (even soft) until the tank is around 3-4 months old. Too many beginners don't exercise the proper patience and discipline at this early stage of getting their tank going only to have problems and head aches down the road. Once the tank has gone through this full cycle period and the tank is stable, then and only then, should you add more difficult coral like hard coral. I always employed a bit of advice I got when I was starting out to add bacteria after each water change for the first and subsequent next 4-5 changes.
Another good tactic I learned is to add (whatever you are adding) a couple days after a water change. This gives the new creature fresh minerals and trace elements and a good 3-4 weeks (I adhere to 4-5 week intervals between changes) to adjust to the new water parameters, light, temp etc. before disrupting the tank for the next water change.
I hope this helps.

 

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the input. I've been reading the other threads too and boy there's a lot to learn.

 

here are some pictures

 

Tank cycling could be debated for days. I am of the belief your tank does not become stable until it is nearly 12 months old. (Waiting on all the hateful messages) This is when all of your cycles are complete. That does not mean you cant add things before waiting a year....I am just saying all of the bacteria involved takes time. #1 advice I can give you.....PATIENCE. Most of the time the tank will work it out on its own. Just my 2 cents.

 

an update.

 

new items and a coral colony that I couldn't take a clear picture of so next time

 

Pictures are awesome and the tank is looking great! Keep em' coming...

 

ok guys I'm hooked and have upgraded to a 72g bowfront. I have a fluval 405 and a heavy duty protein skimmer with two power heads and roughly 35 lbs of live rock. I'm transferring my three fish, to follow below, but need help on timing from you guys. I have been fighting red slime in my 28g nano for months and keep scrubbing and have run three treatments with water changes but it always comes back. Also scrubbed rock.

1st question is, should I move my live rock from the 28g? I don't want to transfer my problems. what's the best way to move it over without the bacteria?
2nd part is will my coral colony carry over the red slime if I shake it really well?
3rd, can I transfer 2 fish at a time?

Currently I have three small bangai cardinals, four scarlet crabs and 5 turbo snails with two sand snails. I think 10 of each crabs and turbo snails should be enough for a cleaning crew right? I'm running the lights from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily - too much?

Also, should I add anything other than what's stated above in terms of hardware like a sump?

Thanks all for the replies
new stank

now the transfers yet to occur with anemone