Should I get Ricordeas in my new tank

[gogol]

I just set up my first tank, a 20G nano that is in its second week of cycling. My salinity,temp, pH are OK, but ammonia is around 0.5ppm and nitrates are around 10 (mg/L?). I do not have a power head and have 2 35watt CFL spiral bulbls. I have a cluster of red mushrooms on my live rock, which seems to be doing OK.

Here is a picassa link to my tank pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/bhattacharya.sayan/Aquarium1Week#

There is a group buy on ricordeas which would arrive sometime around mid march. Would you advise that I get them?

 

[REEFLECTIONS]

i'd wait a little longer.... not so much have stable params, than to uderstand how to keep them stable...

 

[gogol]

how would you advise I start stocking the tank ? I was of the thinking of starting with hardy shrooms, polyps, soft corals etc .

Could you provide a sketchy time line.. of how to go about stocking/upgrading ?

viz.Improve lighting, water flow now. Buy a kit to test alakalinity .. start stocking with 'X' a week after params are good .. something to that effect ?

 

[mikem]

Thats a good start.
You can also add some Bio-Spira to bypass your cycle. You can then add things the same day.

 

[JRWOHLER]

Don't go to fast. Read some...talk to long term reefers like Mike...I think you will be happier if you take your time and decide for yourself what you want first then make a plan to set up you tank.

Like REEFLECTIONS said learn how to keep things stable first then start adding stuff. Good bio filter will help...Mike's suggestion of Bio-Speria will speed that up.

 

[gogol]

Guys,

Is it OK to use Instant ocean Bio-spira ? If not could you direct me to an online seller or LFS that sells the original stuff ?

 

[JRWOHLER]

Little red plasic container ....sure it is perfectly fine.

 

[gogol]

JRWOHLER,

You had suggested T5 lights before. I think I could fit two of those lamps in my hood. Do you think it is OK for a 20 gallon? Also, do you think it might get too hot?

 

[JRWOHLER]

Most of the T5 fixtures sit on top of the tank or if you get what they call a retrofit you build a canopy for them. I did the third alternative which is to hang them from the ceiling. I wanted that particular look.
I did have a 55G freshwater tank that I put a duel T5 fixture on top of the hood...then replaced later with glass covers. That didn't answer your question I know. What I am getting at is the typical hood that you have gets replaced with a cool looking T5 fixture ;D. Good thing about T5 is that they are don't produce the heat that a CP light or MH puts off. Or of course if you are handy you could build a VHO canopy with a retro kit.
I have T5 lights from Catalina Aquariums...if you check out ebay they list there too. www.catalinaaquarium.com
also check out here
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=Lighting
That page is lightingfordummies and then you can look at the fixtures for sale by type. A few months away but we do group buys from them 15% off and no shipping.

Keep asking glad to help.