Typical cycle for new SW tank?

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by Lionking, Nov 16, 2004.

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  1. Lionking

    Lionking Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2004
    Messages:
    50
    Location:
    Guelph, ON,Ontario
    Is there a typical cycle or things I should look for without being alarmed when starting my new SW tank? I understand the cycling process but as far as new growth, algae and when and what to do with them I am still a little clueless.

    Thanks
     
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  3. dano

    dano Spaghetti Worm

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2004
    Messages:
    186
    Location:
    Woodbury, MN,Minnesota
    i would have to say buts its jmo. very early you will tinker with the hardware getting everything dialed in.
    most commonly if you dont rinse your sand enough youll have about a week of cloudy water.
    then a brown diatom aldea bloom. very ugly but natural.
    ammonia nitrite spikes ect.
    but dont get discouraged it all pays off in the end
    what are you looking at setting up.
    tank size hardware livestock ect
     
  4. Lionking

    Lionking Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2004
    Messages:
    50
    Location:
    Guelph, ON,Ontario
    Well I am going to have a 75 gallon FOWLR tank. I have probably 60lbs of dead live rock that I am going to bleach and reuse. I am going to add around another 10lbs of live cured rock to re culture the tank. I will have a XP2 filastar, a Excalibur HV-1 hang on protein skimmer, sand base and probably and extra Aquaclear filter hanging on. Down the road I plan to have some fish.....seems so far off. What I am thinking is

    2 percula clownfish
    flame angel and or coral beauty
    royal gramma
    yellow face jawfish
    6 line wrasse
    2-3 damsels
    maybe a blue tang (last fish to add)

    I will also like to get some hermit crabs and a cleaner and branded coral shrimp.
     
  5. Birdlady

    Birdlady Finback Whale

    Joined:
    May 8, 2004
    Messages:
    2,716
    Location:
    PhillySuburbs, Pennsylvania
    Hello Lionking!


    Your fish choices look OK to me with one exception.....

    The clowns and the damsels...they are both very aggressive fish for their size. I suspect you may have problems. Maybe , maybe not. It's a bit dicey.


    Blue Tangs are pretty. I have a Chevron tang (bristle tooth tang similar to the Kole or yellow eyed tang) and they do a number on the hair and micro algae with the added benefit of having diatoms (the brown stuff) on their menu! Keeps the rocks and sand looking good! If you could only get one tang, I thought I would post that for your consideration ;)