Saltwater Help?

Question

I just recently started a brand new saltwater tank. The water has correct salinity and temperature. Im going to put my sand and fake coral in tomarrow, even though I know now I should have added it before hand. Will it be ok as long as I open the bag inside the water? Surely I dont have to take all that water out... I know everyone keeps telling me to get live rock but Im really trying to hold off for now. I have taken raw shrimp and chopped it and placed it into the tank for bacteria. Will this suffice to where the tank is habitable? My last question, I want to start with a simple percula clown and some cool crabs; How long should I repeat adding raw shrimp until the bacteria level is suitable? Thanks for your help.

Answer 1

1) You don't have to take ALL the water out - just enough to accommodate the volume of the sand you're adding.

2) Rinse the sand before you add it to the tank. If you're using an aragonite (calcium/coral) sand, you won't believe the dust in there! You don't have to take it out of the bag - just sit it in the sink, open the top, and put some pinholes in the bottom for the water & dust to drain. Even rinsing several times, you're likely to still get cloudy water for a few days.

3) If you're thinking about live rock, do it now. Even "cured" live rock can have some die-off and this will create an ammonia source in your tank unless you cure it in a separate container before adding it to the tank.

4) Stop adding raw shrimp at this point- watch the progression of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate from water tests. Don't add fish till you see nitrates developing and 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite. Nitrates should be as low as possible. Any animals you add to the tank (and their food) will be your source of ammonia from this point on. Be careful with your choice of crabs - I think I gave you a list of recommended species before - because some of the "box" shaped crabs (like a shame-faced crab) will eat fish.

Answer 2

I have limited experience with marine tanks, but I have worked in a fish store that sold marine fish and took care of them as part of my regular duties. Putting raw shrimp into any tank without fish will just foul the water as it decays. That is NOT the bacteria you should have in any tank. Whoever told you to do that is an idiot! There are beneficial bacterial supplements on the market that will shorten the cycling time for a new tank.

Go to "About.com" and check out their info on setting up and maintaining a saltwater aquarium. They are very knowledgeable and the site has tons of good info on marine tanks and fish.

A beginner in the marine hobby should have spent in the neighborhood of $500 on the tank, lighting, filters, protein skimmer, test kits, crushed coral sand and marine water mix before thinking about any fish.

We cycled our tanks in the store with mollies. They are brackish water fish that can live in total sea water. Salinity and temperature are two of about 6 different tests that should be done at least weekly as long as you have the tank set up.

BTW, how big is the tank? The minimum size for a beginner is 55 gallons according to everyone I have talked to. Anything smaller and the water quality can go bad overnight, killing all the fish and creatures in it.

Answer 3

I never heard of adding raw shrimp to increase bacteria levels... seems that will just foul your water.
Best thing to start with are damsels and clowns, since they are relatively inexpensive and hearty. Depending on the size of your tank and the number of fish you add initially, it will take 2-3 weeks for your tank to cycle properly. Do frequent water tests during the first few weeks and as soon as the cycle settles, you'll be good to go with whatever fish you want.
Live rock is not a great idea for a newcomer to saltwater. They require special filters and skimmer and are kind of a pain to keep. I got tired of the hassle pretty quick and went back to communal fish.
It should be fine to put your sand in without taking out water, as long as there's no fish in the tank. If you need to add more sand after adding fish, try pouring it down a tube so it doesn't get all over the place and stress the fish.

Answer 4

Sounds like you want to make a replica of the saltwater tank in the movie, "Finding nemo".