Morgan's First Saltwater Tank

[mug]

I just picked up a used octopus 150 skimmer for $150 off craigslist. The guy is selling all his aquariums. I'm happy with the skimmer so I'll give him a plug. http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/for/1865200553.html">http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/for/1865200553.html</a> Everything barely fit in my rubbermaid sump. I think I'm finally done buying equipment. Now I just play the waiting game.

I was cycling with damsels and they kept dieing. I think the bio load of 6 damsels wasn't enough to get a 120 started. I added some of my brackish fish to get the tank cycled. They are tough and I've had them for years. All the fish that are in now are very active and eating.
2 figure eight puffers (brackish)
1 Violet or Dragon Goby (brackish)
1 four stripe damsel and 5 blue (4 blue died)
1 Yellow coris wrass
<fieldset class="gc-fieldset">
<legend> Attached files </legend> [IMG]http://atlantareefclub.org/boards/data/uploads/attachments/542370=25595-Photo on 2010-07-27 at 21.09 #2.jpg>

class="gc-images" title="Photo on 2010-07-27 at 21.09 #2.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a> </fieldset>

 

[myvwrock]

a died shrimp and live rock would of cycled the tank just fine.. Jmo

 

[mug]

I have heard that and I'll do that in the future. I should have known that the tank was way too big to cycle with 6 small fish. I've heard of success with cycling smaller tanks with them where none died.

in the picture you can see the smaller rubbermaid (homemade filter) with sponge and bio balls. (and twist ties holding it in place) The pump for the skimmer is under that along with two heaters. The red valve behind the skimmer to control the flow. The water outlet takes a right turn and lets out in the right corner of the rubbermaid. The return pump is in the front right corner. It all just barely fits.