new tank setup advice needed

[Neil Woodman]

Hi,

I'm thinking of getting an aquamedic chromis and have some questions on
setup.

If I'm just using a thinish layer of coral sand and live rock for the
filtration will I be able to keep the ph high enough?

How long should I leave the lights on for during the first couple of weeks?

At what stage should I start adding fish or should the cleanup crew go
in first? For the diatoms I mean, If so how many crabs should I be
looking at and are shrimp any good for this? the tank would be about
160litres I think.

Any advice would be much appreicated.

Thanks,

Neil

[Marc Levenson]

Hi Neil,

Comments below....

Neil Woodman wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I'm thinking of getting an aquamedic chromis and have some questions on
> setup.

Is that a name brand tank from the U.K.?
>
> If I'm just using a thinish layer of coral sand and live rock for the
> filtration will I be able to keep the ph high enough?

pH is relative to the alkalinity and calcium levels of the water, as
well as the oxygen / CO2 levels in your home and tank. There are ways
to increase pH, but you need to have quality test kits to get accurate
readings. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php
>
> How long should I leave the lights on for during the first couple of weeks?

They aren't critical, but a few hours each day will suffice. Later,
you'll want to ramp it up to 10 or 11 hours a day, as you add livestock
that needs lighting.
>
> At what stage should I start adding fish or should the cleanup crew go
> in first? For the diatoms I mean, If so how many crabs should I be
> looking at and are shrimp any good for this? the tank would be about
> 160litres I think.

If you can be patient, waiting a full month or more for the tank to get
settled in would be wise. Once you have zero ammonia and zero nitrite,
and 20ppm or less of nitrate, you can add snails and crabs to clean the
tank of any nuisance algae growth. I tend to get 1 snail for every 2
gallons, and a handful of hermits.
>
> Any advice would be much appreicated.

http://www.melevsreef.com/overview.htm

Marc

>
> Thanks,
>
> Neil

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