Student with some questions

[rebel_student]

Hello,

I am a student at Columbine High School and I am doing an independent study on aquarium science and marine life. I am lucky enough to have access to a large tank at my school and a great instructor who knows his stuff. For a while I helped manage our large tank by feeding the fish, doing chores, and tanking tests/changing water; however, my instructor thought it would be a great idea for me to start my own tank so that I could learn from my mistakes and get a feel for how a tank really works. I have about a 50 gallon system (30 main tank 20 sump). I started a shrimp cycle about a week and a half ago and as of Thursday (November 1st) my levels were 2.0 ppm for ammonia, .35 ppm for nitrate, 36 salinity, and 79 degrees F ( we do not have a nitrite test right now). I have about 35 pounds of rock (10 of it is live from the big tank) and an inch of sand. I was wondering when I can turn my sump on and how long I need to wait until I can start putting some snails and hermit crabs in? keep in mind I am brand new to this hobby and only have access to the tank when I am at school because that is where it is set up. If any more information about the tank is needed I can look at school and report back as soon as possible! I am open to suggestions and words of wisdom as well!

attached is a picture of my tank (sorry that its sideways!) View attachment 9759


Thanks so much!

 

[Haulin Oates]

Welcome! I'd get my sump started right away so it cycles with the tank! You can add a fish as soon as you test 0 for ammonia and nitrite. Inverts are a bit more sensitive, so you need to get you nitrates down to an acceptable level before adding those (around 10-15 ppm is ok for a FOWLR, between .2 and 2 ppm is good for a reef tank. )

 

[JuanGutz]

Welcome! I'd get my sump started right away so it cycles with the tank! You can add a fish as soon as you test 0 for ammonia and nitrite. Inverts are a bit more sensitive, so you need to get you nitrates down to an acceptable level before adding those (around 10-15 ppm is ok for a FOWLR, between .2 and 2 ppm is good for a reef tank. )

I'd agree I'm just starting a 55 and I've had my sump going from day one skimmer is only on during the day though.

 

[cdrewferd]

I agree with Jack. Get the sump going now so your whole system cycles at the same time.


Drew

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[Dbarnes]

Welcome to tank ownership..... i would start the sump immediately. I agree as soon as your ammonia hits 0 add a cheap fish to test the water. I always add inverts a couple weeks down the road unlesd they are really needed.

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[rebel_student]

Oops I meant skimmer, the sump has been part of the system since we set it up. And there's only about 30-40 lbs of rock.

 

[Cake_Boss]

I would wait to start the skimmer, but you wouldn't ruin anything by starting it now.

I also wouldn't add a "cheap" fish after ammonia drops to 0ppm. I'd wait until nitrite is at 0ppm.

 

[JuanGutz]

I would wait to start the skimmer, but you wouldn't ruin anything by starting it now.

I also wouldn't add a "cheap" fish after ammonia drops to 0ppm. I'd wait until nitrite is at 0ppm.

I have my skimmer running don't see why not honestly?

 

[SquidBreath]

Rebel Hey! Welcome to the jungle!

I don't want to hijack the thread, but I keep my skimmer running 24/7. Is that not the current conventional wisdom?

Green Chromis are a good "starter fish". Don't start with a damsel or you will have aggression problems trying to add anything else later.

As soon as the nitrates are down, I would add some hermit crabs and snails. Then give it all a couple weeks to settle in before you start adding more. Nothing good happens fast in a reef tank. Slow and steady wins the race. My two cents worth.

 

[09bumblebee]

Both skimmers on my 30 and 90 run 24/7 since day 1. I started the skimmers when I first set the tank up and kept the level low in the skimmer so it could break in and not overflow like crazy.

 

[rebel_student]

Thanks! My ammonia is almost zero and my nitrates are dropping as well. I'm going to get some snails and crabs pretty soon! Also, thanks for the heads up on the damsel

 

[Haulin Oates]

So what's your first fish gonna be?!

 

[bigfoot610]

welcome to a future of spenging too much money on a glass box

 

[rebel_student]

I am not sure yet, I just put some snails and hermit crabs in. Have to start somewhere! Any suggestions for a 30 gallon cube?

 

[Cake_Boss]

What kind of tank would you like? Fish only? Reef?

 

[rebel_student]

I will most likely keep coral and fish

 

[High Plains Reefer]

i have some chromis you can have when your ready

 

[Coloradoreefer]

Skimmers running 24/7 is okay and perfectly fine. I run mine the same unless I am feeing phyto or oyster feast... Just because something works better on another persons tank doesn't mean it's law. Every tank is different and those people might be doing different care maintenance than you. Just do what works for you. Take people's opinions and then form your own and try different things until you get the best coral and fish health.