fulltilt Posted January 31, 2006 Report Share Posted January 31, 2006 OK, most of you don't know me because I'm a newbie, I've only been to one MASS meeting but I need a HEAP of advice now. I've been able to get a tank that's already setup, I don't really want this thread to concentrate on the purchase (but that is sure to creep in) but I really need some moving advice. Pics to help (click for larger image) NB Blue Tang not included What is the silver fish in this pic ? Now here's the kickers : - this is my first marine tank - it's in Newcastle, and I'm in Sydney Here's my plan, please critique as needed (because I need it !!!) : - before the move, get an external water tank for storing NSW - before the move, get the tank filled with NSW - get a lot of foam boxes On the day .... - box the fish, with water and tape them up - box the LR, with water and tape them up - drain the tank (should I try to bring ALL the water home ?) - take TONS of photos, disconnect all plumbing - load onto ute/trailer - drive home - position cabinet ( I already know where it's going, and it will fit there) - position tank & sump - connect plumbing - test for leaks (god, I hope there isn't any ) - place LR - fill with SW (original if I have it, otherwise NSW) - place fish - start to stress, if I haven't already OK, so what have I missed doing ? Do I need to run a water test before I start and after I've finished ? Anyone want to help ? Move is planned for Feb 11, but subject to change. Now my concerns ..... - I've bought this largely sight unseen, but I think I got it for a good price - I've read somewhere that "bioballs are only for fish", can I have corals with this setup ? - I still love the idea of a refugium, can I replace the current sump/mini-reef with a new sump that contains refugium, skimmer, etc.. later on ? (I think that's an easy yes) ANY advice would be useful ! Anyone want to help on the day ? ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuckie Posted January 31, 2006 Report Share Posted January 31, 2006 a couple of questions - what is NSW (besides being the state I reside in) and what is LR (besides being the initials of a member of another forum)? :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharkey Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 LR would be Live Rock and I'm guessing NSW is 'New' Salt Water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jess Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 NSW is Natural Sea Water opposed to SSW = Synthetic Sea water (made up) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figure_8 Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 do you have a battery operated air pump? running an airstone in the LR and fish boxes would help reduce any dieoff I would try and bring as much of the original water as possible .. sw tanks can be twitchy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fulltilt Posted February 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 NSW = Natural Salt Water ASW = Artificial Salt Water LR = Live Rock ... as stated Mouse, thanks for the tip. Someone else suggested a battery operated pump, but it didn't click that it was for the boxes whilst transporting. That would be a great idea ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 You can wrap the live rock in wet newspaper then put it into bags. Thats how they send it home from petshops etc and it travels fine - fish in bags and a few water drums with a screw on lid should be right. Bio balls in the filter should be fine, i mean they are there for a place for bacteria to colonise. By refugium, what is that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fulltilt Posted February 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 By refugium, what is that? http://www.masa.asn.au/masa/component/opti...wiki/Itemid,49/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callatya Posted February 2, 2006 Report Share Posted February 2, 2006 Bioballs are fine for now, but having a refugium would work out better if you want corals. Apparently bioballs just end up being 'nitrate farms' or some such, I was warned off them too, as well as noodles and floss and sponges etc. the LR rubble/macro algae would be a good combo so I'm told. Skimmer seems to be one of those newfangled things that nobody should be without. grabbing one ASAP would be advised, even if its just air driven and looped over the main tank:) What lighting is that guy running? that algae is pretty scary! I'd probably buy new tubes if he's using fluros, as those look like they've had it. Get your foam boxes and definately get air pumps, airstones and tap valves to control the flow. Stick a hole in the lid of the foam box and put the airline tubing through that. Stick a 2nd hole in the box and insert some more airline tubing to allow the air to escape but to stop any major spills associated with just haing a hole. if it has to make its way up airline tubing as well, gravity will often take over You might be best off bagging the fish individually, as if you were getting them from a fish shop. there is less room for them to damage themselves and less chance of scrapping. ASSUME WORST CASE SCENARIO which would be something like the tank cannot be set up within 12 hours of arrival, and that all your LR dies. Prepare the fish for that. If you have someone who can babysit the fish for a while until you stabilise your system, that might be beneficial, as I'd bet even in highly aerated water you'd get some dieback on the LR. Ideally you'd do it in 2 trips, get the tank etc first and the livestock later, but not an option, so have a good plan, and have a backup in case things to pearshaped Even a cheap marine tank and stock is pricey! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fulltilt Posted February 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2006 Thanks for the tips Callatya. Rather than battery operated, I'm just going to take a spare air pump and run it off my 12v-240v inverter. I hadn't thought of the second air hole, but a mate has advised me to dump the fish at a local LFS. Apparently that silver one is bad news and then that only makes 2 fish. Dunno at this stage, but all good ideas :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callatya Posted February 2, 2006 Report Share Posted February 2, 2006 trade it in, it doesn't look like a standard reefy to me (kinda looks brackish tell the truth) and ask the LFS if you can board your fish there for a week or 2 Test the pump first, we had one run that was and it just wasn't liking it. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpeica Posted February 3, 2006 Report Share Posted February 3, 2006 What is the silver fish in this pic ? Mono. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuckie Posted February 3, 2006 Report Share Posted February 3, 2006 "I concur" (is that convincing, Bren? ) Aren't monos marines once they mature? I think I read somewhere they live in estuaries as juveniles and move into the ocean once mature, but I also read somewhere that what is critical for them to survive is alkalinity rather than salinity. ANYWAY. did your mate say why the mono is bad news? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starwing Posted February 3, 2006 Report Share Posted February 3, 2006 Yup, looks like a mono to me '> http://www.molluscan.com/fish/exploration3...ofingerfish.jpg **edit** oopsies, I forgot to post in the most important link. These guys are pretty good for information in general, but don't take everything they say as gospel. I've found quite a few inconsistencies in their information in my travels at their domain. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/monos.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.