Starting a tank [Archive] - Reef Central Online Community

PirateFishMX

07/15/2006, 05:13 PM

My father and I are new at marine fish and are starting a 38 gallon marine tank.

From what we have heard we should have 5-10 pounds of live rock cycling for 1-2 months.

Should we have shrimp and other cleaners clean some algae before adding fish? If so what types of shrimp and will they survive with tangs, triggers, gobys, clownfish, wrasses, and butterfly fish?

Last question is how much sand should be at the bottom? We have heard anywhere from 1/4 inch - 1inch.

Thanks

crustin

07/15/2006, 05:25 PM

[welcome]

crustin

07/15/2006, 05:27 PM

http://www.reefcentral.com/modules.php?s=&name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=1 good place to start

adnup

07/15/2006, 07:45 PM

Lots a reading BEFORE you start the tank will payback TEN fold.

But IMO 40#'s of rock and 40#'s of sand, give or take. The amount of time to cycle depends on alot of things. My tank cycled in a week, because I bought rock out of someones tank and kept it in water while transporting.