I need help

[~Torp~]

My friend @cdemoss01 hooked me up with Reef2Reef. I am new to reefing and I have a 15 gallon AIO cube that I have filled and salinity is good and the tank is cycling. I found a heater that I will purchase soon (I am broke) but I am in dire need of some budget Live Rock. My best option rn is a Caribsea Live Rock Arch but it will leave a lot of spare room in my tank and idk if clownfish would like a heavy amount of cover or if a medium sized arch is enough. I have attached the link below but if anyone could PLEEEEASE help me find a budget friendly rock I would greatly appreciate it.

Here is the link:

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/caribsea-life-rock-arch-3105705?store_code=2809&mr:device=m&mr:adType=plalocal&cm_mmc=PSH|GGL|CCY|CCO|PM|0|8ypVcagMTUstCaMjC7diBH|||0|0|||22487711163&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22487748708&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0erBBhDTARIsAKO8iqSZgI-PIAAev_ZgSQrhUs1IQv2iLrDN3pTrueipitjBwZ-pV3j10hEaAlewEALw_wcB

 

[~Torp~]

My friend @cdemoss01 hooked me up with Reef2Reef. I am new to reefing and I have a 15 gallon AIO cube that I have filled and salinity is good and the tank is cycling. I found a heater that I will purchase soon (I am broke) but I am in dire need of some budget Live Rock. My best option rn is a Caribsea Live Rock Arch but it will leave a lot of spare room in my tank and idk if clownfish would like a heavy amount of cover or if a medium sized arch is enough. I have attached the link below but if anyone could PLEEEEASE help me find a budget friendly rock I would greatly appreciate it.

Here is the link:

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/caribsea-life-rock-arch-3105705?store_code=2809&mr:device=m&mr:adType=plalocal&cm_mmc=PSH|GGL|CCY|CCO|PM|0|8ypVcagMTUstCaMjC7diBH|||0|0|||22487711163&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22487748708&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0erBBhDTARIsAKO8iqSZgI-PIAAev_ZgSQrhUs1IQv2iLrDN3pTrueipitjBwZ-pV3j10hEaAlewEALw_wcB

I am getting a pair of ORA Nano Occelaris clownfish and probably some clean up crew like hermit crabs.

 

[Uncle99]

If your tank is in cycle, what’s in the tank as far as hard surfaces now?

Can’t cycle without rock.

 

[~Torp~]

If your tank is in cycle, what’s in the tank as far as hard surfaces now?

Can’t cycle without rock.

All I have is sand right now

 

[Uncle99]

I am getting a pair of ORA Nano Occelaris clownfish and probably some clean up crew like hermit crabs.

I think that rock is just fine for your clowns.

 

[cdemoss01]

@00W @kevgib67 @luis angel new teen reefer here. We can help him right!

 

[Uncle99]

All I have is sand right now

Ok, sand cycles well as it has a ton of surface area available.

I’d put that rock in and should be good to go.

I’ve used that rock before and I like it. Expensive, yah a bit, but worth it.

You can always add more down the road.

 

[~Torp~]

I think that rock is just fine for your clowns.

Thanks so much, and I start working a job in a week and I will make enough money by then to get the rock. How long should I cycle the tank after I get the rock in there?

 

[~Torp~]

Ok, sand cycles well as it has a ton of surface area available.

I’d put that rock in and should be good to go.

And do I need a heater to help the beneficial bacteria on the rock solidify in the tank?

 

[Billango]

I wouldn't really considered that shrink wrapped stuff to be "live" rock. Petsmart has these boxes of that type of rock though and I think they sometimes go buy one, get one 50% off or something like that. https://www.petsmart.com/fish/decor-gravel-and-substrate/gravel-sand-and-stones/caribsea-liferock-dry-live-rock-64745.html
If you only have Petcos around, they have bucket sales where if you buy a bucket, aquarium supplies and livestock including their wet live rock goes 20% off. Otherwise I might try to find some from local reefers.

 

[Uncle99]

Thanks so much, and I start working a job in a week and I will make enough money by then to get the rock. How long should I cycle the tank after I get the rock in there?

You have sand already wet, if you added a bottle of bacteria, you can add the rock directly.

The cycle would already be complete.

 

[~Torp~]

I wouldn't really considered that shrink wrapped stuff to be "live" rock. Petsmart has these boxes of that type of rock though and I think they sometimes go buy one, get one 50% off or something like that. https://www.petsmart.com/fish/decor-gravel-and-substrate/gravel-sand-and-stones/caribsea-liferock-dry-live-rock-64745.html
If you only have Petcos around, they have bucket sales where if you buy a bucket, aquarium supplies and livestock including their wet live rock goes 20% off. Otherwise I might try to find some from local reefers.

Okay wait so I can get buy one get one 50% off?

 

[Billango]

Okay wait so I can get buy one get one 50% off?

Doesn't look like it at the moment, but I know that item goes on those types of sales.

 

[Uncle99]

And do I need a heater to help the beneficial bacteria on the rock solidify in the tank?

Yes and no.
No, it’s not an absolute at the moment but you’ll of course need it before fish.
Yes, it’s better to heat the water to normal operating temps 78-80 as soon as you can afford.
Cooler waters slow development a bit.

 

[~Torp~]

You have sand already wet, if you added a bottle of bacteria, you can add the rock directly.

The cycle would already be complete.

Okay sounds good, but if the bottle of bacteria isn't "necessary" then that's good bc I am broke and my parents are super strict and like get mad for no reason on buying "useless things"

 

[~Torp~]

Okay sounds good, but if the bottle of bacteria isn't "necessary" then that's good bc I am broke and my parents are super strict and like get mad for no reason on buying "useless things"

Like when I bought my 15 gallon my dad started saying it was a "waste of money"

 

[Uncle99]

Okay sounds good, but if the bottle of bacteria isn't "necessary" then that's good bc I am broke and my parents are super strict and like get mad for no reason on buying "useless things"

I believe the bottle of bacteria is necessary when cycling unless you have true live rock.

Unless you ok waiting say 1-2 months for cycling.

Make sure you add a pinch of food to provide ammonia for the cycling process.

 

[Uncle99]

Like when I bought my 15 gallon my dad started saying it was a "waste of money"

Maybe, dads are like that.
In one sense, he’s right, saltwater is pricey.

But at the same time, you’ll learn math and chemistry to provide an environment for your chosen friends as well as being a ton of fun IMM.

Take your time. Creating a living environment takes a lot of that.

40 years ago my dad said the same on my first 20g. Sometimes you gotta do you.

Fast forward to today.

 

[~Torp~]

Maybe, dads are like that.
In one sense, he’s right, saltwater is pricey.

But at the same time, you’ll learn math and chemistry to provide an environment for your chosen friends as well as being a ton of fun IMM.

Take your time. Creating a living environment takes a lot of that.

40 years ago my dad said the same on my first 20g. Sometimes you gotta do you.

Fast forward to today.

Dude that's amazing keep me updated on my tank and I will keep you updated on mine. I just posted another thread with stocking plans etc etc. Best of luck!

 

[~Torp~]

Dude that's amazing keep me updated on my tank and I will keep you updated on mine. I just posted another thread with stocking plans etc etc. Best of luck!

And I meant to say keep me updated on YOUR tank (my autocorrect is weird)