lionzion
July 24th, 2005, 06:07 PM
I just set up my eclipse 3 gal. again with 2" of tahitian black live sand and about 5-6 lbs of rock I got for free from a friend. The problem is, the rock had been left submerged in saltwater in a bucket with no flow or lighting for almost a month and is now completely white. I think this is commonly referred to as base rock. Anyway, I know that if a piece of live rock is added, it may populate the base rock. My question is, will I still have a cycle using base rock or do i need to throw in a piece of live rock to start the cycle? Is there any product I can use to spur the regrowth of coralline algae on the base rock?
Now, onto my stocking dilemma. Don't worry, I'm not inexperienced and I have decided that I only want to keep shrooms and zoos in this mini-reef, at least for now. What I would like to get are some suggestions of everyone's favorite inverts (crabs, shrimp, etc.) I just need to see movement and I want something unique, if possible. Some possibilities I have thought of follow, but keep in mind that I'm not planning on -all- of these, just a few of them. This would only be after I make sure they are compatible and whatnot. Anyways...here's the list.
sexy shrimp, blood shrimp, cleaner shrimp, boxer crab, emerald crab, various cleaner snails, feather duster...and that's all that I've thought of, so far. I think the crabs could be trouble for the clean-up crew, any alternative to the snails for cleaning up in that situation? Also, if I would perhaps decide to invest in a small goby, would the emerald and boxer crabs be out of the question?
Thanks so much for your time and help.
Now, onto my stocking dilemma. Don't worry, I'm not inexperienced and I have decided that I only want to keep shrooms and zoos in this mini-reef, at least for now. What I would like to get are some suggestions of everyone's favorite inverts (crabs, shrimp, etc.) I just need to see movement and I want something unique, if possible. Some possibilities I have thought of follow, but keep in mind that I'm not planning on -all- of these, just a few of them. This would only be after I make sure they are compatible and whatnot. Anyways...here's the list.
sexy shrimp, blood shrimp, cleaner shrimp, boxer crab, emerald crab, various cleaner snails, feather duster...and that's all that I've thought of, so far. I think the crabs could be trouble for the clean-up crew, any alternative to the snails for cleaning up in that situation? Also, if I would perhaps decide to invest in a small goby, would the emerald and boxer crabs be out of the question?
Thanks so much for your time and help.