New 13G Nano Received! Need help starting step by step....

I was just wondering if it had any interesting corals, macroalgae, fanworms or anything on it. If it's just rock with coralline, you can probably be less fastidious about keeping ammonia down.

For the moment, checking ammonia and keeping the specific gravity steady are about all you need to do. I'm a little surprised that the ammonia went up as fast as it did.
 
Do you think I should add more bacteria, shrimp?
Does the water for changes need to be aerated/heated during cycle?
How often should I have to empty skimmer and where do I dump it- in the sink... All of the foam is still clear--- I guess later I'll see more brown stuff... The tank is very bubbly...
 
I'd like to thank both of y'all for keeping this thread alive. I've been watching it because I'm slightly considering a similar application myself. Unfortunately, I don't have anything to add to the thread. But thanks, though!

Good luck with the tank. Keep the pics updated.

Sam
 
valval1029 said:
Put skimmer on last night. How long should it take to fill the cup? Having trouble adjusting it... It either fills to fast or isn't filling! I'll have to play with it...
Click to expand...

Playing with it's the trick. You don't want to unnecessarily remove too much water. The skimmate should be dark, and a 'lil thick. If it's a bunch of green water, your setting the cup too low.

And how fast it fills depends upon the bioload/water changes/adjustment of the cup.
 
valval1029 said:
{numbers added }
1. Do you think I should add more bacteria, shrimp?
2. Does the water for changes need to be aerated/heated during cycle?
3. How often should I have to empty skimmer and where do I dump it- in the sink... All of the foam is still clear--- I guess later I'll see more brown stuff... The tank is very bubbly...
Click to expand...
1. No. Wit and see how the cycle goes. How's the ammonia today?
2. It should be stirrred, like with a powerhead, to equilibrate gases. Heating is optional.
3. Depends on how much stuff is rotting in the tank. After my rock first arrived, the skimmer went wild and I had to shut it down for a day. In general, though, you'll probably need to empty it once or twice a week. The important thing is the consistency. If the skimmate is really watery and clear, keep raising the cup (if that's the design). I dump it into the sink, and rinse the cup thoroughly, especially the neck where the skimmate is formed. Stinky job.

The fizz in your water probably results from the combination of new water, new sand, new rock and new skimmer. It will calm down.
 
Hard to say. It depends on how much dies on the live rock. It may not go much above where it is. You might have a look at nitrite as well, just to see how the bacteria are doing.
 
Hello! The nitrite is at 0 ppm...
Let me know if I should add something or just leave it be...
Thank you as always!
 
OK!

I never had a protein skimmer before. Does the amount of foam change regularly??? Everytime I seem to have it set in the right place I end up having to move the cup.

Today the foam (still clear) was just getting to the top and a very small amount spilling into cup. A few hours later it was about 2" from getting to the cup and I had to lower it again. It seems I'm always moving it up or down. Is that normal?

Also, will my rock stay like it is or will stuff grow on it? I haven't seen one sign of life on it and assume it will just stay like that..?.. Hope there's some stuff on there!
 
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