fishless ?

[Azear]

Simple question... Is it possible to start a reef but no Fishes in it ? like only coral (Or not even coral... ? or anything ?). Because I'd like to start planning to build up a reef but SW fishes are somewhat pricey... and I was wondering if it was possible to do (like in FW) a fishless cycle and then, after a few day/week/month... add 1 fish then another and blablabla ?

[Rue]

Yes, you can start your tank with live rock only.

But some of the fish are quite inexpensive, some of the adorable little gobies for example...

[Azear]

Great ! but... will I have to use liquid Ammonia ? or live rocks can produce the needed ammonia ? (I'm such a newbie when it come to Saltwater)... (or the shrimp tail trick can work like in FW ?)

Sooo many questions left unanswered yet... lol :P

Btw, Thanks ALOT Rue :D

[Rue]

All you need is 'uncured' live rock. The decay from the 'curing' process will produce the ammonia you need (from dead organisms in the live rock) - and then the bacteria living in the live rock will break the ammonia down into nitrites/nitrates.

However, once the tank is cycled, you will need a source of ammonia to keep it going...a couple of inexpensive little fish would be wonderful...you can also start with easy corals...often times some reefers have so much of a 'common' coral you can even pick them up for free, or next to nothing...

At the very least you also need a HOB filter...a skimmer isn't needed for tanks 20g and less. But all that's up to you. I would suggest though, that you do at least 10% weekly water changes to keep up the mineral content (such as calcium) of your SW...

[A340]

Up here the corals cost more than most fish, I'm looking at $50 a piece and that's not even getting into the exotics!

Good info in this post, because this is the route I'd like to go. Start with uncured live rock, let it take it's time and go with some coral and a small fish.

[Special-K]

if you bought cured live rock from an online source, and it had a little die off from the transportation, would this work for cycling the tank as well? or should you go with completely uncured?

[Rue]

...the most I paid for any coral was $80 - that was for my frogspawn...and I thought it was only $60 (price correction at the till! :hmm3grin2orange: )...

But I've bought some nice zoa frags for $15 (~10 heads)...my single yuma was $20...my acro frags $5 each (and they're ALIVE and growing!!! :19: )...

And the reefer I bought my BTA (for $30) from was willing to give me mushrooms just to get rid of them (however, I'm full up at the moment, so I had to decline).

Best to find out who your fellow area reefer are...there are deals to be had!

[Azear]

Oh nice... Uncured rocks... so where can I buy that ? Any idea ? and is there any chances that I can get something local ? cauz I don't want to buy live rocks online... :S anyways... This is in a long while... cauz the 50Gal is taking alot of money right now :) Still it was just a question that I wanted to know bout having a reef without fishes...

Thanks for all the answers

[Rue]

if you bought cured live rock from an online source, and it had a little die off from the transportation, would this work for cycling the tank as well? or should you go with completely uncured?

As soon as the live rock is out of the water for more than a few minutes, it will recure to some extent...so anything you buy on-line...just consider it 'uncured'. Certainly, DON'T pay more for 'cured' live rock! :c7:

[Special-K]

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

how is this for live rock for my 12g?

[unleashed]

When I set up my tank, I used cured LR from another reefer I know. I was able to put a fish in it straight away. There was no ammonia spike and all levels have been stable since.

[A340]

...the most I paid for any coral was $80 - that was for my frogspawn...and I thought it was only $60 (price correction at the till! :hmm3grin2orange: )...

But I've bought some nice zoa frags for $15 (~10 heads)...my single yuma was $20...my acro frags $5 each (and they're ALIVE and growing!!! :19: )...

And the reefer I bought my BTA (for $30) from was willing to give me mushrooms just to get rid of them (however, I'm full up at the moment, so I had to decline).

Best to find out who your fellow area reefer are...there are deals to be had!
There is a local aquarium club, but their forum is deader than a board, might see 2 or 3 posts on there a month. Most people around here just seem to like to keep to themselves.

[Azear]

YaY ! I've discuss with my Girlfriend about getting a reef and she seems to be interested... and maybe that I'll just rip off what's in my 50Gal and transform it into a reef... is it much work ? or should I start with an extra tank to build a smaller reef ? ... I'm plain confused about this... and what are the cost related to converting a FW to SW tank ??? does regular filter works with Reefs or need some special stuff ? (I know I will need a proteine skimmer but i mean, for example, does my Eheim 2215 will be usable ?) Also, anybody in Quebec, canada that know a good reefer ? or have live rocks for sale ? ... :confused: or can ship ? ... sooo much stuff... :S

Thanks all !

[cocoa_pleco]

if youre looking for cheap LR in Quebec, find Quebec is buysell.com or kijiji.ca

i dont know about quebec, but here theres always at least 2 people on local ads ripping down reefs 55g+ and willing to sell cured LR for only 5$ a pound