Clown Help

[chickenhawk]

Hi guys, I have a problem/question. The info on my tank is here:
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=110989

When I bought my 75 gallon tank, the owner had 2 tomato clowns waiting for me at pick up (surprise!). I improvised and put them in an old 50ish gallon hex I had lying around. I used the water from the original tank to fill the hex and put in two air sources (I don't have the old heater or filter). The temperature has been pretty steady, but I feel like I'm gambling with these guys.

I set the 75 gallon tank up on Sunday. I left the original water in the sump and left the live sand alone as well. Because of transportation, all of the extra original water was put in the hex for the clowns. I put a 12 lb. cured live rock (fiji) into the 75 on Tuesday to help along the process. What is the shortest amount of time I can wait before I can add the clowns to the main tank?

Thanks guys!

[Reefscape]

In simple terms, when your ammonia and nitrite are zero, and your nitrate is >10 ( preferably >5 )...Depending on how "cured" the lump of live rock was, will depend on the ammonia spike that follows...

is the 12lbs of live rock all that is in there?

Niko

[chickenhawk]

Well, I ahermm, uh have 5 damsels in the tank as well. My LFS guy told me it was a good way to cycle the tank and I hadn't really started using this forum yet. I know, bonehead move. However, I do plan on keeping the damsels in a seperate tank, I never planned on the ol' flushing plan. Otherwise, I have a couple pieces of old, dead coral in the tank for decoration.

[chickenhawk]

In simple terms, when your ammonia and nitrite are zero, and your nitrate is >10 ( preferably >5 )...Depending on how "cured" the lump of live rock was, will depend on the ammonia spike that follows...

is the 12lbs of live rock all that is in there?

Niko


Ok, my nitrate is right around 10, my nitrites are <.3, my ph is at 8, but my ammonia is right around .75. Also, I added a little bit move of very cured live rock to the aquarium, I'm probably at around 18ish lbs. Is the ammonia up because it's cycling already? Although I kept the live sand and the water from the sump, I've only had the tank going since Sunday. Is it spiking already? What should I do next (water change, wait for the ammonia to go down, etc.)?

Thanks guys, sorry to be a pain!:huh:

[SHK_ATK]

Benificial Bacteria does live in the actual water but rather substrate LR filter media ect ect. The total lbs of LR you should have is around 75+lbs since its a 75G tank. The damsels might survive since they are pretty hardy fish. The only prob with using damsels is that there are REAL PITA to catch. I would NOT do any water change until the spike is just NITRATES, once that happends you can do a large water change to get the ates down to 5-10ppm and then it should be fine to add the clown fish. Also remember the more Uncured LR that you put the more of a mini cycle you get since it produces amonia thus delaying your cycling of the tank a little. Best bet is to get all the LR you can afford and take it from there. After the tank is established and you want to add more LR whether it Be Uncured Cured or even Base rock their shouldnt be a prolonged effect.

[chickenhawk]

Alrighty, I added a bunch of live rock, I'm attaching a pic so you can see what I have going on. I checked the levels today and everything is looking good. How long would you guys wait to put the clowns in? I'm afraid the hex with air will only last so long.

Thanks!

[chickenhawk]

I forgot to ask....I also have some pieces of dead coral. Would it behoove me to add them to the tank? Will the living organisms from the rock move and start on the dead coral?

[chickenhawk]

Here's some closer pics of my live rock. I picked it up for $5.50/lb. at my LPS. Did I do all right?

[5xevy]

The majority of the rock looks good but the ones with the black(?) on it looks to have some decaying matter. I could be wrong because it's hard to tell. Is it soft if you touch it, and can you scratch it off?

I forgot to ask....I also have some pieces of dead coral. Would it behoove me to add them to the tank? Will the living organisms from the rock move and start on the dead coral?

Yes, absolutely. Many people do this as eventually the live rock will seed the "dead" rock. It may take a long time (months) but it will happen and it's the less expensive way to go as well.

[chickenhawk]

Yeah, I think the black stuff if a bit of sea sponge. Should I do something with it?

[Reefscape]

Yeah, I think the black stuff if a bit of sea sponge. Should I do something with it?

maybe just scub it off with a hard nylon brush...a tooth brush perhaps if you find them unsightly...

Niko