Back in the hobby…few questions

[fladiver]

Hi all,

As a lifetime Florida resident, much of my life has been spent on the water and I’ve dabbled from time to time with keeping a tank. After a favorable biocube experience about 10 years ago, I recently acquired an established 32g LED biocube that had live rock, a purple dottyback, and a YT damsel. It was quite a feat transporting the tank (and water and inhabitants) from an hour away, but all seems to have gone well nearly a month later.

I’ve been blown away by the wealth of knowledge in this forum, so was hoping I could impose with a few questions and requests for guidance.

One of the first things I did was to get a good CUC going. I now have 7-8 hermits, 7 FL turbos, 3 nasarrius, an emerald crab, and a peppermint shrimp. I’ve been blown away by the difference they seem to have made. From what I’ve read, this seems to fall roughly in the middle of the various recommendations across the web. The live rock has some green algae and there is also some film algae on the glass, but the CUC seems to keep it in check. Would you recommend adding/changing this CUC?

I also learned that the purple dottyback was quite territorial and used to being the king of the tank. This amusement was short lived after I saw him going after a newly added peppermint shrimp and constantly seeing him harassing the YT damsel. Given that I was planning to add more shrimp and one to two more fish, I made the decision to trade him into the LFS for an oscillaris clown which I think was the right decision. The clown seems to get along fine with the YT, and there is no more harassment of the shrimp that I can tell. I’m interested in stocking one to two more fish that would get along with the current inhabitants. I had been thinking about a fire fish; any other thoughts or recommendations? I’m not trying to break the bank, and I’m also partial to fish with a little more color.

I’ve been doing a 2 gallon water change once a week the last few weeks, using test strips after the change to confirm water levels stay in tune. I realize there are many opinions about frequency/amount of changes. Do I need to be doing a weekly change if I have a relatively low bio load and I am not doing coral?

I’m a big fan of banded coral shrimp, as I’ve caught them in the Keys and love their demeanor. But, I do realize that their temperament can vary wildly. Would one be appropriate here? Or should I instead add another shrimp or two?

I have an Omega One marine flake, some marine pellets, some frozen spirulina brine, and some frozen mysis. I usually do two feedings a day, with one being frozen mixed into a container with tank water. I tried doing Nori on a clip recently and neither fish was interested. Is that an appropriate medley of food? Is there something else I should consider?

I’ve heard that the CUC (and shrimp) will largely subside off detritus and algae. But I have seen some mention of algae wafers. But, I’ve also seen some discussion about how the Hikari wafers have copper sulfate and should be avoided. Should I consider adding any wafers or stuff for CUC?

Many thanks in advance for taking the time to read and respond!

 

[Formulator]

Would you recommend adding/changing this CUC?

I think it is a solid crew. The turbos will likely not last too terribly long though. In my experience they tend to grow quickly and the algae growing in the tank can’t sustain their appetite unless you have an outbreak. I’ve had better luck with trochus snails and they have similar roles on the CUC.

I’m interested in stocking one to two more fish that would get along with the current inhabitants. I had been thinking about a fire fish; any other thoughts or recommendations? I’m not trying to break the bank, and I’m also partial to fish with a little more color.

Royal grammas are beautiful if you haven’t already considered. I also love the firefish. I have both in mine

Do I need to be doing a weekly change if I have a relatively low bio load and I am not doing coral?

I would let your nitrate test be your guide for this. As long as you are keeping stable Alk/Calcium, the primary purpose of your water changes is going to be nutrient export, which can be measured (nitrate and phosphate).

Is that an appropriate medley of food? Is there something else I should consider?

Looks great to me! Your fish are spoiled

Should I consider adding any wafers or stuff for CUC?

Maybe for the turbos, per my earlier comment. But nori is probably a better option. You can rubber band it to a rock and they will munch on it overnight.

Welcome back to the hobby and welcome to R2R!

 

[OrionN]

I would do a ~5 gal range weekly or biweekly rather than 2 gal.
CUC, I like to use snails rather than hermit crabs, A variety of snails would be great.
I would consider add a sand bed. This really help the stability of the tank water.
Fish wise, nothing beat pair of Percula clowns IMO. Clowns and anemone would be heavenly.
If clowns and anemone is not your cup of tea, and especially if you want something easier to keep then Yellow head Jawfish pair, or shrimp and shrimp goby pair would be interesting and beautiful.

 

[Formulator]

I like to use snails rather than hermit crabs,

I know hermit crabs get a bad rap with people but they are really fun to watch IMO. They are my wife’s favorite inhabitants

 

[OrionN]

I am trying to infect you with anemone disease.

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

I am trying to infect you with anemone disease.

That's quite rude.

 

[fladiver]

I think it is a solid crew. The turbos will likely not last too terribly long though. In my experience they tend to grow quickly and the algae growing in the tank can’t sustain their appetite unless you have an outbreak. I’ve had better luck with trochus snails and they have similar roles on the CUC.

Royal grammas are beautiful if you haven’t already considered. I also love the firefish. I have both in mine

I would let your nitrate test be your guide for this. As long as you are keeping stable Alk/Calcium, the primary purpose of your water changes is going to be nutrient export, which can be measured (nitrate and phosphate).

Looks great to me! Your fish are spoiled

Maybe for the turbos, per my earlier comment. But nori is probably a better option. You can rubber band it to a rock and they will munch on it overnight.

Welcome back to the hobby and welcome to R2R!

Thanks for the excellent response! For the wafer; are you OK with the Hikari wafers they sell? Or are there others?

I also meant to ask - I see a lot of people adding a wave maker. Is that necessary/needed in addition to the stock flow that comes with the 32 biocube? I have my current flow pointed towards the surface which is making a nice ripple on top. I guess the point of the second wave maker would be to point towards middle or bottom to push debris along on bottom to the filter?

Any thoughts on a banded coral shrimp or alternatives? It is crazy to me that some shrimp are $40 or $50 each…

 

[fladiver]

I would do a ~5 gal range weekly or biweekly rather than 2 gal.
CUC, I like to use snails rather than hermit crabs, A variety of snails would be great.
I would consider add a sand bed. This really help the stability of the tank water.
Fish wise, nothing beat pair of Percula clowns IMO. Clowns and anemone would be heavenly.
If clowns and anemone is not your cup of tea, and especially if you want something easier to keep then Yellow head Jawfish pair, or shrimp and shrimp goby pair would be interesting and beautiful.

That’s another question I forgot to ask. How easy is it to put an anemone in? I know that adding corals can start requiring more hardware and necessitating a stricter range of water parameters. Does that also go for anemones?

How easy would it be to pair another clown? The one I got from LFS was in a community tank with a bunch of other oscelarris clowns; what are the chances one of those would pair off?

Here’s a current tank pic…I do have a sand bed.

 

[eelman07]

That’s another question I forgot to ask. How easy is it to put an anemone in? I know that adding corals can start requiring more hardware and necessitating a stricter range of water parameters. Does that also go for anemones?

How easy would it be to pair another clown? The one I got from LFS was in a community tank with a bunch of other oscelarris clowns; what are the chances one of those would pair off?

Here’s a current tank pic…I do have a sand bed.

How about adding a tiger conch to the cuc to stir up the sand?

 

[fladiver]

How about adding a tiger conch to the cuc to stir up the sand?

I’ve seen those and thought they were neat. But I thought I’d see that they can potentially knock over live rock?

 

[eelman07]

I’ve seen those and thought they were neat. But I thought I’d see that they can potentially knock over live rock?

Did you put the live rock in before the sand? If so you should be fine. I’ve had one before and had no problems with it. They are great sand sifters.

 

[fladiver]

Did you put the live rock in before the sand? If so you should be fine. I’ve had one before and had no problems with it. They are great sand sifters.

When I transported the tank, I took all the live rock out and left the sand bed with a small amount of water. So, when I set it back up the sand was already in there - although I did try to nestle the rock in there. Does that change your answer?

 

[eelman07]

When I transported the tank, I took all the live rock out and left the sand bed with a small amount of water. So, when I set it back up the sand was already in there - although I did try to nestle the rock in there. Does that change your answer?

I still think you should be fine.

 

[eelman07]

Mine was always in the sand never went very close to the rockscape

 

[OrionN]

That’s another question I forgot to ask. How easy is it to put an anemone in? I know that adding corals can start requiring more hardware and necessitating a stricter range of water parameters. Does that also go for anemones?

How easy would it be to pair another clown? The one I got from LFS was in a community tank with a bunch of other oscelarris clowns; what are the chances one of those would pair off?

Here’s a current tank pic…I do have a sand bed.

You don't have a sand bed. Just a thin layer of coarse coral fragment/gravel on the bottom. As is you should not attempt to keep an anemone until you are much better and acquires more knowledge.
For now you have a FOWLR tank. You need to read and learn more before attempt corals (hard corals) and anemones. Most of the soft corals are easier and require less light and stability of condition.
Clownfish does not require anemone to do well. It is easy to pair clowns. Just get another small clown of the same species, Ocellaris in this case and they will pair up.

 

[fladiver]

You don't have a sand bed. Just a thin layer of coarse coral fragment/gravel on the bottom. As is you should not attempt to keep an anemone until you are much better and acquires more knowledge.
For now you have a FOWLR tank. You need to read and learn more before attempt corals (hard corals) and anemones. Most of the soft corals are easier and require less light and stability of condition.
Clownfish does not require anemone to do well. It is easy to pair clowns. Just get another small clown of the same species, Ocellaris in this case and they will pair up.

Thanks. I wholly agree - I’ve been very clear that I’m not rushing into this and I honestly don’t have any desire at this point to add corals given the complexity and additional care required. I thought an anemone might be possible at some point, but I plan to do that only after getting the tank stocked and more established.

 

[PharmrJohn]

I know hermit crabs get a bad rap with people but they are really fun to watch IMO. They are my wife’s favorite inhabitants

LOL, my wife's as well. It was her only request on livestock additions!! And I shall comply.

 

[Formulator]

Thanks for the excellent response! For the wafer; are you OK with the Hikari wafers they sell? Or are there others?

I also meant to ask - I see a lot of people adding a wave maker. Is that necessary/needed in addition to the stock flow that comes with the 32 biocube? I have my current flow pointed towards the surface which is making a nice ripple on top. I guess the point of the second wave maker would be to point towards middle or bottom to push debris along on bottom to the filter?

Any thoughts on a banded coral shrimp or alternatives? It is crazy to me that some shrimp are $40 or $50 each…

I personally don’t have experience with algae wafers other than my old freshwater tank that I used to feed wafers for plecos, but I would assume anything marketed as reef safe would be fine and Hikari is a very reputable brand IMO.

You will need the wavemaker if you want to keep corals in the future, but they are also quite useful for keeping detritus (poop, leftover food, etc) suspended so that it makes it into your sump for removal.

I am not a shrimp expert so someone else should answer that one.

 

[fladiver]

Another question…this time filtration.

I’ve now had the tank about a month. From the below pic, the previous owner apparently has a black sponge-like piece for an initial filter and then filter floss below that. How often should I be replacing either of those? And in doing so, is it OK to completely replace the filter floss or do I need to leave some?

 

[fladiver]

Another question…this time filtration.

I’ve now had the tank about a month. From the below pic, the previous owner apparently has a black sponge-like piece for an initial filter and then filter floss below that. How often should I be replacing either of those? And in doing so, is it OK to completely replace the filter floss or do I need to leave some?

Just pushing this back to the top. From my research it seems like I need to replace the filter floss once a week or once every other week? And sponge maybe every other week? Thanks.