Setting up for Goby and Pistol Shrimp....Question about sand

[Fanof49ASU]

Tank just cycled, now I'm thinking about changing some things for a goby/shrimp combo.

Right now, I've got between 1"-1 1/2" in AragAlive 'sugar' sized sand.

Today I bought some Nature's Ocean Live Aragonite that has grain in the .5-1.7mm size. I also got some off brand coral sand that's much larger. I plan to mix in the two new types of sand, with what is in the tank at the moment.

I plan to make a sand bed in the 3-4" range, but man, the 4" bed in a 12g Nano is HUGE!

Also, would adding new sand at this point, throw my tank into another cycle?

Any suggestions or comments would greatly be appreciated.

 

[reefman23]

Hello and welcome. I agree that you should add some of the larger grain sand, but you wont need too much of the coral sand...just a pound or two I would imagine. It will eventually sift out from the small grains anyways and just end up on the top of the sand bed. 3" should be fine...4" IS a little deep for the 12 gallon cubes.

Any time you disturb a sand bed, you will get a nitrite/trate spike. Just handle it the same way you handled the initial cycle, although it wont take as long.

What are some of the parameters of your water, ie. nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, specific gravity (or salinity), pH, alkalinity? How long has your tank beens set up with the live rock and sand? Any pics? ;-)

Jesse

 

[Fanof49ASU]

This tank is at my work....my test kits were at home.....by the sight of the diatoms, I'm assuming it's close to completing its cycle, but not sure yet. I am in no hurry to add anything. I'm trying to get this tank perfect, before subjecting anything to my beginning skills.

I'm really having a hard time deciding between a yellowhead jawfish and the goby/pistol shrimp. I'm trying to prepare my tank ahead of time for either setup. Whatever I choose, I'm thinking about putting the other in my tank at home.

The tank is only 1 1/2 weeks old.
I've started this one with cured Live Rock, and AragAlive (Figi Pink) sand. I've got LR and 1 sponge in Chamber 1.....LR with chaeto (due in at the end of the week) in chamber 2, and a Jager 50w with MiniJet606 in 3. (Stock lighting.)

 

[skipm]

:welcome to the board.
It looks like you are off to a great start. I think I would go for the goby/pistol pair because I think that the jawfish needs a deeper sandbed than would look right in the cube. Is your cube the regular or the DX model?
I also agree that adding some larger grained sand is the proper thing to do no matter which fish you decide on keeping. What all are you planning on keeping in this tank or have you got that far yet?

 

[djconn]

Looking good. How is that nozzle attachment working out for you? I've upgraded the pump in my 6 gallon cube to the MJ606 but there are still some dead zones.


I'm also adding a pistol/goby pair. I'm just waiting for the fish store to finally get it in for me. Where do you plan to get your pair? I've found them difficult to find.

 

[Fanof49ASU]

Thanks.

It's the DX model, and no, I haven't gotten very far in deciding on the contents. It looks like I'll do a goby/pistol combo. As for a cleanup crew, I've got a lot of studying to do.


When I first added my LR, I think that I overloaded it....it was packed full. So, I scaled back on the lbs, considerably. I needed more room for corals and such, at a later date.
Here's the before pic.
http://markfoltz.freeservers.com/DSC_0125.gif


That nozzle seems to work pretty well. I can understand the concept of it, as opposed to a constant jet of water.....though, I'm still working on getting it mounted properly.

At the moment, it's not flush to the wall....and it's fitting very loosely in the tube. I couldn't seem to get the adapters to give me a tight fit. I was going to add some plumbers tape to get a better fit, but I'd rather have it flush against the wall.


I too, am at a loss on getting the pair. The gobies at my local store haven't looked good lately, and I've yet to see a pistol shrimp. I could place an order through them, but then again, I might try ordering over the internet....if I can find a supplier close to me.

 

[reefman23]

I found a pair today at my LFS...a yasha hasi ( i think that is the spelling)/pistol pair...didnt ask the price, but man are the cool!

Jesse

 

[Fanof49ASU]

What are some of the parameters of your water, ie. nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, specific gravity (or salinity), pH, alkalinity?


Jesse

ph 8.2
NO2 0.0
NO3 5.0
NH3 .1 (maybe....it's a cloudy yellow)

Spec. Gravity 1.025

 

[drty811]

im only running 2inchs maybe 3 at the deepest and i two goby/pistol pairs and a single pistol in my 15tall. they do great work on keeping the sand sifted and clean.HTH