Quick Setup

[ismvel]

Is there an easy way of doing this?

I have a 30 gallon cycling right now....won't be done for another 3 weeks (at the rate ammonia rose/dropped and the nitrites rose and are currently dropping) or so. But I found a pair of fish that I have been wanting for some time now that came available and are generally a little difficult to find.

Is there a way to set up a quick QT tank of about 10 gallons or so and house them in there until my 30 is ready?

My thinking was finding someone (member or store) and purchase some water from their established system and throw into a small 10 gal until I am ready to move them (to avoid a cycle and killing these little buggers off). Since I could use this for future QT, I would not use sand and possibly throw some PVC or something of that sort to so they can hide?

Any thoughts/comments on my thinking here would be greatly appreciated.

[RayAllen]

My aquarium is currently cycling as well so Im of no help. You may be able to find someone that will keep them for you untill your tank is ready. May I ask what fish you are purchasing....

[ismvel]

picasso percula clownfish....and I was thinking that too.....but not sure if that would be asking too much of someone I didn't know....thanks for the help anyhow.

[erikharrison]

I am sure the place would hold them for you as long as you have paid them?

[ismvel]

It's an online store. I never thought about asking that. I am sure a local store would if I purchased it from them. B & B for sure....stopped by and saw his "Hospital" room..LOL...nice store...but as I mentioned this is an online store. I know the LOGICAL thing for me to do is just catch them the next time they are offered in a couple of months.

[OceanInMotion]

if you need some water, im due for a chance today. my parameters are:

temp - 77.5 - 78.3
ammonia - 0
nitrites - 0
nitrates - undetectable
calc - 415 (or 420-ish, cant tell)

my tank had a mini-cycle about 3 weeks ago, everythings been stable since (havent added any new crittes, only cycled live rock). i can hook you up with some water and a piece of LR for your QT tank if you want. PM me if interested.

[ismvel]

if you need some water, im due for a chance today. my parameters are:

temp - 77.5 - 78.3
ammonia - 0
nitrites - 0
nitrates - undetectable
calc - 415 (or 420-ish, cant tell)

my tank had a mini-cycle about 3 weeks ago, everythings been stable since (havent added any new crittes, only cycled live rock). i can hook you up with some water and a piece of LR for your QT tank if you want. PM me if interested.
That sounds real good, I shot you a PM...

[ismvel]

Well OceaninMotion, Thank you very much for the offer, but as I was going to just place the order, the darn fish sold out....in a matter of an hour they had come and gone.....

Well, I will just let the cycle ride out, and just purchase them the next time around I see them...

You snooze, you lose I suppose...LOL

ismael..

[OceanInMotion]

d'oh! i hate it when that happens! one thing you said...

you said your ammonia rose then dropped, now your nitrates rose and are now dropping, correct? if so, your cycle is almost complete. it goes ammonia > nitrites > nitrates. nitrates are the final stage in bacterial breakdown. once your nitrates level out (dont be shocked if you have even like .10ppm nitrates, its normal) and are stable, you can add fish. id say 1.5 weeks - 2 weeks you should be good :)

GL with your tank!

[ismvel]

d'oh! i hate it when that happens! one thing you said...

you said your ammonia rose then dropped, now your nitrates rose and are now dropping, correct? if so, your cycle is almost complete. it goes ammonia > nitrites > nitrates. nitrates are the final stage in bacterial breakdown. once your nitrates level out (dont be shocked if you have even like .10ppm nitrates, its normal) and are stable, you can add fish. id say 1.5 weeks - 2 weeks you should be good :)

GL with your tank!
You're right...I meant Trites, my apologies......and thanks....I'll have to get back on the mailing list so I get a notification when they come back...

Good thing about that is I work from home, so once that e-mail pops up, it doesn't take but a second for me to get on there and click buy....I almost did too, but didn't wat to be SOL if I couldn't get help in time...but you're right a couple more weeks and I will be finished and I can order whenever I choose with fish and corals.

Thanks again,
ismael

[apedroza]

Using Live sand and LR from an established aquarium also speeds up the maturing process.

[crossxfire2]

I would keep them for free, but i don't know how my clown trigger would treat them. I don't think its worth risking it.

[ismvel]

I would keep them for free, but i don't know how my clown trigger would treat them. I don't think its worth risking it.
Thanks crossxfire2.....but by the time I went to buy them, they were gone, but at a little over $200/pair, I don't think I would risk that either...LOL...a great number of us here on this website (speculation here) don't even treat ourselves to $200 meals....I don't think, no matter how pretty that clown trigger is, that i would like to give it that opportunity/honor....LOL...but thanks anyhow...

[crossxfire2]

That is exactly why I mentioned it. I would die if my clown trigger ate something that cost 200 dollars. Hey, he made a priceless scare on my finger! Lol. OH, and your welcome.



Thanks crossxfire2.....but by the time I went to buy them, they were gone, but at a little over $200/pair, I don't think I would risk that either...LOL...a great number of us here on this website (speculation here) don't even treat ourselves to $200 meals....I don't think, no matter how pretty that clown trigger is, that i would like to give it that opportunity/honor....LOL...but thanks anyhow...

[erikharrison]

well, if you want some ocellaris clowns, B&B has them for ten each. :) They were 7 each yesterday!

[alton]

One word of caution, just because your tank goes throught the cycle doesn't always mean you are now ready for fish. I would try a couple of hardy fish first(You can always take them back to fish store), maybe add some hardy corals, couple of Scarlet Reef Crabs to add color and control bad algae and see how things go before you add expensive fish. Get some algae growing, give your tank time to mature. I know you want to get going but it takes time, a lot of time. (My two Cents)