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strater foutz

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Hey everyone, am setting up a saltwater tank ( I think I’m gonna go with a 50 gallon by water box ) ; it’s always been a want since I was very young. Now I finally have the income to afford one. I have a few questions though. I’ve read a lot on the cycles of setting up a tank. Whats the best route to go. I’m leaving town for 7-8 days. Could I set the tank up before I leave and have it do the initial cycle then and test the water levels when I return, or do I need to do small water changes in the first 8-12 days before adding the first few fish. I was planning on going with 2 ai grow blades how are these at growing soft corals, mushrooms? At what stages do I add/exspand the fish in the tank. I was wanting to try and get to a point of having lined sea horses, starfish, candy cane shrimp, some snail, and then clownfish, golbys, and some other small reef fish. From what I’m reading clownfish and a good clean up crew are good from the start. How established does the tank need to be to support the lined sea horses, and what about mandarins since they eat on other food sources. Also how do I know when it’s safe to add corals or can they go in with the clowns as long as I’m feeding them, keeping up with water levels and nutrients?

Another question I don’t know if it’s doable, but can you have a blue ribbon eel or zebra eel with striped sea horses - should I pick one of the other if so which one would you recommend?
 

revhtree

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Welcome to your new home for saltwater reef aquarium resources and fun! Welcome to the family! :D
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Peace River

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Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

Clownfish.gif
 

vetteguy53081

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vetteguy53081

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Hey everyone, am setting up a saltwater tank ( I think I’m gonna go with a 50 gallon by water box ) ; it’s always been a want since I was very young. Now I finally have the income to afford one. I have a few questions though. I’ve read a lot on the cycles of setting up a tank. Whats the best route to go. I’m leaving town for 7-8 days. Could I set the tank up before I leave and have it do the initial cycle then and test the water levels when I return, or do I need to do small water changes in the first 8-12 days before adding the first few fish. I was planning on going with 2 ai grow blades how are these at growing soft corals, mushrooms? At what stages do I add/exspand the fish in the tank. I was wanting to try and get to a point of having lined sea horses, starfish, candy cane shrimp, some snail, and then clownfish, golbys, and some other small reef fish. From what I’m reading clownfish and a good clean up crew are good from the start. How established does the tank need to be to support the lined sea horses, and what about mandarins since they eat on other food sources. Also how do I know when it’s safe to add corals or can they go in with the clowns as long as I’m feeding them, keeping up with water levels and nutrients?

Another question I don’t know if it’s doable, but can you have a blue ribbon eel or zebra eel with striped sea horses - should I pick one of the other if so which one would you recommend?
Eels will outcompete seahorses for food and likely eat them or try. Seahorses should be in a tank of their own. Additionally if cycling while away, Add ammonia Chloride along with liquid bacteria such as MicroBacter XLM. Using a reliable test kit upon return, when ammonia rises then falls after adding ammonia chloride and holds a steady reading of Zero for at least 5 days and also nitrate rises and falls and holds at 20 or below- you are cycled.
 

EnterName

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Welcome to Reef2Reef!
Don't rush the stocking process and double check if the animals you want to add are actually compatible. Seahorses need their own tank if I remember correctly.

Enjoy the new hobby!
 

Gumbies R Us

God, Bouldering, and Reefing
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Welcome to Reef2Reef!
 

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