Converting My 53G tank

[Emma_2952]

The salinity won’t affect algae growth, but I’d try to get that to about 1.025.

Might be tricky as I get saltwater from my lfs but I will try Taking some water out then adding new water in

 

[Sharkbait19]

Might be tricky as I get saltwater from my lfs but I will try Taking some water out then adding new water in

If your lfs is keeping everything at that than it should be fine (and you get everything from your lfs and all their livestock is healthy).

 

[bmkid1997]

most LFS will keep salinity slightly lower, the best (plus most cost effective) long term is making your own salt water. also seems like the tank is still cycling, you want 0 ammonia and that just takes time. I saw you had 3 fish currently, and would settle at that for some time until things get more matured. The live rock helps establish, but when majority is dry rock it takes more time

 

[Sharkbait19]

I agree, mixing your own water is definitely easier (and cheaper) than lugging jugs back and forth from the lfs.

 

[Emma_2952]

most LFS will keep salinity slightly lower, the best (plus most cost effective) long term is making your own salt water. also seems like the tank is still cycling, you want 0 ammonia and that just takes time. I saw you had 3 fish currently, and would settle at that for some time until things get more matured. The live rock helps establish, but when majority is dry rock it takes more time

I don’t have any fish currently in the tank, don’t I need to wait until the cycle is complete ?

 

[bmkid1997]

I don’t have any fish currently in the tank, don’t I need to wait until the cycle is complete ?

Oh sorry, misread the post with the photo attached. Theres fishless cycle (ive never done this, but seems easy enough with some research. considered the more "humane" way). or having a hardy fish, usually damsels (clowns/blue damsels). The tank needs bacteria and food, and having something hardy has always been a norm.

When I cycle mine, I start with a clown pair (I dont do designer, so cheaper pair) and add bottled bacteria. I do this until ammonia is 0 & nitrite is 0. nitrates and phosphates will be jumping most likely as things settle.

 

[Sharkbait19]

For fishless cycle, you just need to supply ammonia via feeding. Live rock, live sand, and bottled bacteria help to quickly cycle the tank.

 

[Emma_2952]

Its now ready for fish, on my way to my lfs now :)
Hoping to get a pair of clowns

 

[Emma_2952]

I got A Midnight and a snowflake midnight clown
I love them, any name suggestions?

 

[Sharkbait19]

Looks like a Darwin rather than a midnight for the orange nosed one.
I’ll try to come up with names.
Were they quarantined?

 

[Emma_2952]

Looks like a Darwin rather than a midnight for the orange nosed one.
I’ll try to come up with names.
Were they quarantined?

It maybe a Darwin then I just assumed midnight because of the colouration
They were quarantined at my lfs and I’m not as worried as I would be as there’s nothing else in my tank atm

 

[Emma_2952]

Just been to my lfs and I got 4 nassarius snails to start my CUC in wanting to get more (turban snails, trochus, cerith e.g.) in the further but I don’t want to add too much at a time

 

[Emma_2952]

New additions
2 toadstool leathers
1 watchman goby
1 blood shrimp

 

[Emma_2952]

I’ve upgraded my Wavemaker today to this one, hoping my leathers will open up a bit more now
Going having a look at some more coral tomorrow so I will update with what I get here when I get home

 

[Emma_2952]

Got a new BTA yesterday, woke up things morning and its hiding in the rocks lol (facepalm)
Would it be safe to move it so that I can actually see it in my tank?
2 pics from when i I first put it in yesterday and 2 from this morning

 

[Sharkbait19]

Got a new BTA yesterday, woke up things morning and its hiding in the rocks lol (facepalm)
Would it be safe to move it so that I can actually see it in my tank?
2 pics from when i I first put it in yesterday and 2 from this morning

Nems go where they want, it’s best just to leave it be. The more we try to interfere with their business the more stressed they tend to get. It will probably keep moving around until it eventually finds a spot it likes.

 

[Emma_2952]

Nems go where they want, it’s best just to leave it be. The more we try to interfere with their business the more stressed they tend to get. It will probably keep moving around until it eventually finds a spot it likes.

It’s been under a rock without light (as far as I am aware) for a few days now and it is mostly closed up
I’m starting to get worried abt it :(

 

[Sharkbait19]

It’s been under a rock without light (as far as I am aware) for a few days now and it is mostly closed up
I’m starting to get worried abt it :(

@Lost in the Sauce @Duncan62

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

It’s been under a rock without light (as far as I am aware) for a few days now and it is mostly closed up
I’m starting to get worried abt it :(

Assuming your water parameters are within line, that's relatively normal. Nems definitely do weird things. Tank moves/chemistry/light changes are stress events and it moving to seclusion isn't unheard of. During the settle in period, don't attempt to feed it.

Over the next little while, or may try out a few different places in the tank until it finds somewhere the light and flow suit it.

Keep an eye on it Definitely. Watch the mouth for signs of gaping. TBH, I can't tell from the pics if it was bleached or if that's just its color.

If you see the mouth gaping open, constant inflation/deflation cycles, an inability to remain connected to the rock. If you see these, please report back as that could be a sign of an infection.

 

[Emma_2952]

Assuming your water parameters are within line, that's relatively normal. Nems definitely do weird things. Tank moves/chemistry/light changes are stress events and it moving to seclusion isn't unheard of. During the settle in period, don't attempt to feed it.

Over the next little while, or may try out a few different places in the tank until it finds somewhere the light and flow suit it.

Keep an eye on it Definitely. Watch the mouth for signs of gaping. TBH, I can't tell from the pics if it was bleached or if that's just its color.

If you see the mouth gaping open, constant inflation/deflation cycles, an inability to remain connected to the rock. If you see these, please report back as that could be a sign of an infection.

It is now in a different spot to that and I can only see what is in there pic
You can see the red side of it a little bit underneath the arch