Clean-up crews

[rvxry11]

What clean-up crew goes well with predatory fish like groupers and eels?

 

[Subsea]

Start with detrivores like spaghetti worms, bristle worms and pods. Then move on to herbivores like snails & hermit crabs. Not sure what the grouper eats, so be aware of his foraging.

I noticed this is your first post. Welcome to the addiction.

 

[Andreas' Reef]

i don't know much about this but would conches and larger snails work?

 

[rvxry11]

Start with detrivores like spaghetti worms, bristle worms and pods. Then move on to herbivores like snails & hermit crabs. Not sure what the grouper eats, so be aware of his foraging.

I noticed this is your first post. Welcome to the addiction.

What are other things I need to test in an aquarium. I already know you need to check the salinity and nitrite and other basic stuff but what are some other important things I need to test for?

 

[Subsea]

What are other things I need to test in an aquarium. I already know you need to check the salinity and nitrite and other basic stuff but what are some other important things I need to test for?

To start with, what is your experience with groupers & ells in marine aquarium.

 

[rvxry11]

To start with, what is your experience with groupers & ells in marine aquarium.

Haven't kept full on saltwater eels and groupers but I have a marble eel and a bumblebee grouper which I know the grouper is part saltwater and freshwater brackish I think, I've had him for a while now he's not really aggressive to my other fish. I'm just trying to start saltwater now since I've already done freshwater

 

[Subsea]

Consider posting your question in predator tank forum.

Predatory Fish Discussion

This forum is for the discussion of predatory fish.

www.reef2reef.com

Without knowing anything else, I suggest you set up a Fish only with Live Rock tank.

Fish Only With Live Rock (FOWLR) Tank Discussion

www.reef2reef.com

Get on those two forums and introduce yourself.

 

[Subsea]

What are other things I need to test in an aquarium. I already know you need to check the salinity and nitrite and other basic stuff but what are some other important things I need to test for?

Before you think about test, you should focus on system biofiltration. Set up a FOWLR system that allows to upgrade to corals, consider a reverse flow undergravel filter with 2” of aroggonite substrate. The aroggonite will provide for passive alkalinity buffering which maintains stable pH. So alkalinity stabilizes pH.

To verify that your nitrification bacteria are established it is good to measure ammonia, nitrite and nitrate during a 10 day cycle. Once nitrification bacteria are established it’s not critical to measure unless problems arise.

If you are not including coral in your system, I see little need to measure anything except to monitor salinity which gradually increases due to evaporation. Make up for evaporation with distilled or RODI water. If you perform a 20% water change monthly, salinity is all you need to measure.

 

[rvxry11]

Before you think about test, you should focus on system biofiltration. Set up a FOWLR system that allows to upgrade to corals, consider a reverse flow undergravel filter with 2” of aroggonite substrate. The aroggonite will provide for passive alkalinity buffering which maintains stable pH. So alkalinity stabilizes pH.

To verify that your nitrification bacteria are established it is good to measure ammonia, nitrite and nitrate during a 10 day cycle. Once nitrification bacteria are established it’s not critical to measure unless problems arise.

If you are not including coral in your system, I see little need to measure anything except to monitor salinity which gradually increases due to evaporation. Make up for evaporation with distilled or RODI water. If you perform a 20% water change monthly, salinity is all you need to measure.

Thank you smart person

 

[Subsea]

@rvxry11
You are welcome. Start a tank journal and link me, if you want more comments.