Hello Reef 15 Gallon Cube Build Thread

[DiamondDog1030]

Another option is adding snails to a coral order when/if you order corals online. Some stores have started adding them as live stock.

That is true. I saw WWC sells some (though they are pricey) and other websites. That brings me back to questioning what I want though. The kit was planned out for an anemone, so I was debating of following that or getting into coral. I'll think it over.

I've had good luck with Reef Cleaners, the prices are good, but just keep in mind you have to add $50 at the end for shipping. I'm not sure if it would be worth it for a 15 gallon.

Reef Cleaners having that 50$ shipping fee is bit much yeah. Probably won't do that for my small tank for starting out. I can see the big shipment order appeal.

 

[DiamondDog1030]

Quick update, found the hard truth that Reef Cleaners doesn't ship to California. I will probably just suck it up and go to my LFS that quarantines Trochus and Nassarius snails over the weekend. Might just go to the one that doesn't quarantine to get some cerith snails.

 

[DiamondDog1030]

Quick update, found the hard truth that Reef Cleaners doesn't ship to California. I will probably just suck it up and go to my LFS that quarantines Trochus and Nassarius snails over the weekend. Might just go to the one that doesn't quarantine to get some cerith snails.

Correction: The order was under $50, that was the big reason.

 

[DiamondDog1030]

Hi all,

Good news, got the cleanup crew.

3 Trochus
3 Cerith
4 Nassarius (1 was free)

Seems the nassarius and cerith snails burrowed away so I couldn't see them. Trochus snails seem happy, except for one very close to escaping. I am hoping he goes back (there's no food out there!!!). I think there is enough algae for at least today. Should I feed pellets for the nassarius snails tonight?

 

[tbrown]

Hi all,

Good news, got the cleanup crew.

3 Trochus
3 Cerith
4 Nassarius (1 was free)

Seems the nassarius and cerith snails burrowed away so I couldn't see them. Trochus snails seem happy, except for one very close to escaping. I am hoping he goes back (there's no food out there!!!). I think there is enough algae for at least today. Should I feed pellets for the nassarius snails tonight?

Trochus like to hide just out of the water or right in the edge of the water in the evenings. Nassarius come out at night or when you drop food in. Ceriths bury themselves in the sand, climb the glass, and hide in the rocks. They'll show up and hide and show up and hide.

 

[DiamondDog1030]

Yeah, I think they have all settled. The big nassarius keeps climbing the glass and falling after it hangs at the top for a while. The other 2 trochus like the rocks since algae has settled there. Ceriths are eating through the sandbed. Feels like it is all working out so far.

Dunno how long I want to wait for fish, was thinking a few weeks. Not too sure, when is a good time. I guess when the routine with the snails is good?

 

[tbrown]

Yeah, I think they have all settled. The big nassarius keeps climbing the glass and falling after it hangs at the top for a while. The other 2 trochus like the rocks since algae has settled there. Ceriths are eating through the sandbed. Feels like it is all working out so far.

Dunno how long I want to wait for fish, was thinking a few weeks. Not too sure, when is a good time. I guess when the routine with the snails is good?

Are you showing nitrates in the water? I added fish and corals on day 1 because I had aged water from another tank, live rock, and live sand plus I added some bottled bacteria.

If you're showing nitrates, you've got bacteria and you can slowly start adding fish 1-2 at a time.

 

[DiamondDog1030]

Are you showing nitrates in the water? I added fish and corals on day 1 because I had aged water from another tank, live rock, and live sand plus I added some bottled bacteria.

If you're showing nitrates, you've got bacteria and you can slowly start adding fish 1-2 at a time.

Haven't tested the tank since the snails got in. Just fed the pellets to the nassarius snails. I was planning to test with those API test strips in the morning (since those were the only way I saw nitrates.

 

[tbrown]

I just went back and checked - you added the bacteria on July 30ish. Over a month and algae is starting I'd say you are good to add a fish or two over the next couple of days.

 

[DiamondDog1030]

Wow, I didn't expect a fast time like that. I will probably need to wait a week. Just to get comfortable with the snails and make sure I can keep it all stable. If there is anything I would not want to make a mistake with, its fish.

 

[tbrown]

Wow, I didn't expect a fast time like that. I will probably need to wait a week. Just to get comfortable with the snails and make sure I can keep it all stable. If there is anything I would not want to make a mistake with, its fish.

Patience is never a bad thing.

 

[DiamondDog1030]

Woke up this morning to see that my water level was way too high, past the ato sensor. Not sure what it could be since salinity read out as 1.026 still. Spooky.

Anyway, snails seem happy enough. The trochus and cerith snails cleaned out a ton of my rock of algae. Some even returned to just sitting near the surface of the water. The problem is, they pooped a ton doing it. I thought nassarius snails would help, but if they are doing something, the sheer amount of poop is too much. I am guessing that we just need to siphon it out?

I am guessing the poop will die down since they cleaned the rocks and now there's not much algae left.

 

[tbrown]

Likely a snail blocked the overflow weirs yesterday at some point for a little bit.

 

[DiamondDog1030]

Hey,

Big update since a while ago. Finally took the plunge and got the clown pair. LSF quarantines them, and they looked feisty. Hoping they can keep the attitude in my tank. Snails have been alive this whole time with no losses that I know of. Hoping that is a good sign in terms of nitrates and nitrites/ ammonia.

Saw my cerith snails "wrestling" in the sand bed yesterday. Was curious what it was.

Anyway will send a follow-up after acclimation.

Wish me luck!

 

[DiamondDog1030]

Quick acclimation went well. They were a bit scared and hid in the cave at first, but now they chose the side rock.

They are looking fine. I heard that I should hold off on feeding them for about a day. Is that true?

 

[tbrown]

I always feed when adding new fish, but that's to lessen aggression from existing fish which you have none of. Some fish have a high metabolism and should be fed multiple times daily. Some fish can go days/weeks without food.

It doesn't hurt to skip a meal. Let them clear their bowels of old food first.

 

[tzabor10]

IMO new fish are freaked out about everything. Try to not look at them too much to start. Feed when you are near so you develop a good bond. Are you considering an anemone for them?

 

[DiamondDog1030]

IMO new fish are freaked out about everything. Try to not look at them too much to start. Feed when you are near so you develop a good bond. Are you considering an anemone for them?

I was thinking about it, yeah. I also wanted corals, but for a tank this small, it might be a choice I need to make. Heard about anemones splitting, and it sounds a bit scary.

 

[tbrown]

I was thinking about it, yeah. I also wanted corals, but for a tank this small, it might be a choice I need to make. Heard about anemones splitting, and it sounds a bit scary.

Nah. Not scary. Annoying at times.

I keep a pair of Clowns in my sump. I gave them 4 Anemones, sold 6, and now they only have 17 to choose from.

 

[DiamondDog1030]

Nah. Not scary. Annoying at times.

I keep a pair of Clowns in my sump. I gave them 4 Anemones, sold 6, and now they only have 17 to choose from.

That sounds alright, the more I contemplate it. I'll give it a try. The worst that happens is I give it to an LSF or another reefer. Does anyone think corals and anemones can be together in something small like a 15 cube? Is that too ambitious?