wateryworld
New Member
Hi. Weird situation here. I bought a biocube 29 setup from someone, and right after getting it, am having a big personal life issue to deal with (surgery), so am unable to do my own research on how to care for this tank, so am hoping someone could give as concise as possible help right away. Also because the tank I inherited possibly has problems that came with it. It's saltwater and has been a running environment for something like five months, and it seems the prior owner did know what he was doing, at least somewhat, but that recently it has been neglected? I have read some on this prior to purchase, and so has my friend, but we'd still like help to make sure we don't make a mistake. I do not want the critters to die or get sick, but right now my friend and I can only do "the minimum" needed. And we may need help in the future. I am trying to provide all the information I know. I was told the two fish in there are a damsel and a benny. He said lawnmower benny but I am thinking it's not? But I don't know what fish are what. The one fish camoflauges with the rock pretty well. The tank apparently also has live rock (three), a bigger crab, tiny crabs, a couple different(?) snails (told "turbo snail"), tiny snails which supposedly stay buried, polyps (just one). Crushed coral for the bottom and told it's bristle worm free, and told they put $100 of that bioenzyme something or other so that the polyps would be okay or something? And some bright yellow piece of coral? There is also some thing that's maybe a mussel? It's small though. And some other shelled thing which I don't know what it is, guessing simply some type of snail. I can probably provide pics sometime but not today. The original owner could probably answer a few followup questions if needed, so what should I know from them? The tank was new 5 mo ago apparently. Moving the tank may have been disruptive. The filter seems to be making a too-loud humming noise, he was saying if it were cleaned it should stop, and that sometimes when you turn it on, it's noisy, turn it off and on and it stops sometimes. But I am wondering, is my unit going to fail or something. What do I do about that part for one thing? Don't know how I am supposed to clean the parts, just take the whole top and clean in the tub? He said they never have to add salt or change the water just added tap water to that one part, with that one water level line, is this correct? Please give me instructions that are easy to follow, etc. Is it necessary to have the light on approx half the day and off approx half? What is worse for the tank, etc, in case I can only change it once a day or ??? Please list minimums and then what is more ideal and then ideal. I don't even know how to feed them besides that the containers say like 5 times a day. Can I put both kinds of food at once? They've been feeding Aqueon marine flakes and Ocean Nutrition formula one marine pellets. Are both needed? The one doesn't seem to eat flakes, the crabs eat the pellets. I want to add a bit to the tank, but will wait, unless there is something to add to make things easier or healthier for them. I mean like if more polyps will help or more rocks was his suggestion I think. Also a stupid question is, I guess these fish and things do not need heat? I especially should get some automated feeder, I will also be able to get basic advice from the pet store I suppose somewhat. What else can help, given that not much time and energy available? Thank you so much in advance, I wish I were more able to do this, bad timing.
