24 Gal. Aquapod Picture Journal

[walmartpetsalesassociate]

Well in search of a new hobby I grew very interested in starting a Nano Tank. I needed something to take my attention away from modding my car, which was costing me an arm and a leg. So last week I went to my LFS and was looking for a tank. I ran into a 24 Gal. Aquapod, which would fit my needs for now. I'm not too sure of the specs on this tank, but everything is stock running.

5-22-06

Fresh out of the box...

*Note I made a stupid mistake of taking all the info from the lfs employee as gospel. Do not start out with tap water from the hose and then mix it with salt. I wasted $20 and about an hour of time taking the water out. Newbie mistake. I now know to ask you guys first before taking the lfs' advice. You guys aren't the ones going into my pockets.

5-25-06
No pic, but filled it up with sw from the lfs and put live sand in.

5-26-06
Picked up 20 pounds of Fiji rock and bought 2 damsels

Water was murky from the sand settling and I just stacked the rocks on top of each other.

5-27-06
Everything settled down and I rearranged the rocks.

Also ordered these tank supplies...

This master test kit was $32.99 and Petco and I bought it from drfostersmith.com for $13.49!

I have to slow down now and wait for some algae to grow, next step will be adding the cleanup crew, nemo, and some coral. This is fun.

 

[@ombomb]

Why on earth have you got fish in there?!?!?

If you added them at the same time as the rock... that's two fish that won't last long.

Even if they did... Damsels!

You definitely need to slow down, do some reading, forget about corals altogether for now and reconsider your stocking options. Rehome the damsels asap and forget about them longterm in a nano, they are very bad news.

 

[walmartpetsalesassociate]

Damsels appear to be doing fine, haven't skipped a beat from when I purchased them. I'll keep you updated on their progress and I'm either going to relocate them to a smaller tank in 2 weeks or bring them back to the LFS and buy a clown.

 

[xNOTLOCx]

ya but you shoudnt cycle a tank with fish i rushed into things and got 5 damsels.... bad idea i had to watch each one die individually and i felt like crap, and then the last living one that i liked the most and he was doing good all of the sudden just died... so now i have to spend another 5$ dollars when i get my tank finished and buy another one, but its cruel, fishless cycling is the way to go, the lfs either doesnt care about the fish, is trying to make a qucik buck, or they are all sick and they are trying to get rid of em secretley so they can get a betetr shipment in, wich most dont do but its still possible,

 

[sukie]

I believe that if you are a responsible, knowledgeable person then you can do a fish cycle.

I would just do everyday tests and if you see the hint of spikes do a 10% water change.

 

[akilles-13]

I have to disagree on the water change, During the cycling period you should not do a water change. This is the most critical part of your beginning. Ammonia spike is good for your tank as this will start the whole cycling from ammonia to nitrite to nitrates to of course the good bacteria that feeds off of the nitrites and nitrates. If you break the chain, you will see in the next few months, many problems. Just food for thought. Its better if you dont add any fishes or inverts at this time, and let the LR start your cycle (preferably Uncured Live Rock).

 

[xNOTLOCx]

the only problem is most begginners arent that responsible because they jump right in like me lol i wont lie... but most i do know plenty who do study before they go into it too. but majority on these forums jump into things tooo fast, and so ya but i still think fishless cycling si the way to go, hey walmartpetsalesassociate, i like your tank arrangment it looks cool and makes the tank look bigger... good luck it sounds like its goin gr8, i have a question, do those types of tanks have all the filtration in the back of it? cuz i c alot of tanks that have black panels with stuff behind it? hmmm and i think it takes longer when your cycling your tank if you do water changes doesnt it? but im not sure maybe its better i dont wanna start anythign bad...

 

[walmartpetsalesassociate]

do those types of tanks have all the filtration in the back of it?

Yea the filteration is in the back.

Thanks for all your comments. I posted about my temp being in the mid 80's in reef chit chat and I think it's just natural because I live in South Florida. I'm hoping to add my clownfish in another week. I just need to get rid of these damsels though. They are really naughty fish! I caged the yellowtail and I'll give the blue one some time to heal his fin. I plan to bring them back to the lfs when I go to get my clown. Here's some pics of the yellowtail in solitarty confinement and some extra from today. I love this hobby!

5-30-06

 

[akilles-13]

I do like your rock formation, looks awesome. Great job in picking the best tank. Aquapod.

 

[walmartpetsalesassociate]

6-2-06

Added Cleanup Crew:
1 Scarlet Shrimp
3 Red Leg Algae Hermit Crabs
5 Astrea Snails
8 Turbo Snails

If you can help me with my temperature problem please do: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...0&#entry1207030

 

[furryrabbit]

loving it so far - keep us updated

 

[steelhealr]

Way too fast. One pic doesn't even show your water level at the appropriate height. By the looks of it, your tank was short at least 1/2 gallon, critical volumes in a nano system. I have the 24G NC...the precursor of your tank. Slow down man, just my piece of advice. This is NOT a regular marine tank and your gonna crash it.

As for the temps, these tanks have a tendency to run hot (did your lfs tell you?). They sometimes need either upgraded fans, a chiller, a fan blowing across the top or upgraded powerheads that run cooler.

Not trying to flame you..the tank DOES look nice, but, at this pace, your tank is gonna cost you a LOT more in losses than your car. SH

 

[walmartpetsalesassociate]

Thanks furryrabbot and steelhealr:

Steelhealr, I took out the damsels and added a cleanup crew because there is so much algae growing in the sand and the walls. I figured it was the right time. I just added some more water that I bought from the LFS. I'll see how these guys do, hope for the best. I'm definitley not adding any fish until I can get the temperature correct.

 

[steelhealr]

WTG...correct the temp first. Sit back and let the rock cycle, the algae bloom and let the cleanup crew take care of it. Don't add any fish until your params are zero and your nitrate is at least below 10ppm. Resist the urge to add corals and then get a handle on maintaining your nitrates as you start to add and feed your fish. Otherwise, your aquascaping looks good. SH

 

[walmartpetsalesassociate]

I got my temperature down to 81 F, thanks alot for the info guys! I checked out my parameters the past two days and they look great:

6-3-06
Salinity: 1.024
Ph Level: 7.8
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
Ammonia: 0

6-4-06
Salinity: 1.023
Ph Level: 7.8
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
Ammonia: 0

I might add a fish soon, just waiting for the Ph Level to get to 8.2!