Bought orchid dotty back for my new tank

[gil5280]

Ok, I have a 5 gallon tank, hex. Its going to be a reef tank. It cycled for 3 weeks. The sand and everything came from an established tank. There is brown algae growing, and the snail that was in there looked good. So I bought an orchid dotty back. He is eating and now exploring a lot more. While I look at him, he seems to scratch his side on a rock slightly, does that mean anything? hes active and eating a lot. this is the best pic i got.

 

[smartorl]

First, welcome!
Second, what are your water parameters? The length of your cycle isn't really relevant it's the cycle itself. There is no exact science on how long this will take.
Third, do you see any white spots on the fish?
I would expect ich. It can be brought about by stress or the fish could have come to you infected. Please take a look and have a read of the sticky at the top of the fish disease forum.
If it does turn out to be ich, whether the fish lives or dies, you would need to make sure it was eradicated from your tank before placing any more fish inside.

 

[travelerjp98]

How long was the tank set up for? 3 weeks?
When the tank was done cycling, did you put a cuc (clean up crew) in it first? If so, how did they do?
Do you have live rock in the tank?
What about live sand, what substrate do you have?
What's the blue stuff on the bottom?
Water parameters? (Salinity, temperature, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia)
I agree with smartorl, I would expect ich.
Also, you said that you want to make the tank a reef. What lighting do you have? Most corals need very specific and bright lighting...
I don't want to question you, and I don't want to seem rude or snotty.... but I need to know all of this information in order to hep you to the best of my abilities!

 

[travelerjp98]

Ich is a really common disease in saltwater fish.. it can be treated with hyposalinity, medication, and other ways of treatment.. but let's be sure about what it is first, then we can go with different types of treatment...

 

[flower]

Hi,
On behalf of any new beginners out there reading this thread....I'm only commenting on the time thing with if the tank is cycled. Only a test kit can really tell you for certain what is going on with the chemistry of your SW tank. A best guess because you have algae and a snail is really dangerous to rely on.
Live rock and live sand can help a tank to balance out faster, but you still should use a test kit to dertermine if it is cycled or not.

 

[gil5280]

Thank you for your reply!
Well, all I know is the salinity level is where its suppose to be. The LFS by me charges a rediculous amount to test water, money I dont have as a college student. The blue stuff on the bottom, is sand. Its a blue sand that was given to me that was being used in a reef tank. He has no white spots on him, he is perfectly purple. The CUC thats in there is living. and has been since they have been in there. The fish is eating really good, and really active with no real sings of stress.
As far as coral, Its a 5 gallon tank, with a 50/50 compact light on it. 10 watts. Im not getting anything crazy, just xenia, mushrooms, and zoos. Things that will take over the tank and I can trade and stuff.
Im trying to figure out a way to test this water, with the budget im on. I honestly think the fish will live, it looks healthy.
Well let me know, i appreciate the help, A LOT!

 

[travelerjp98]

Yeah no problem man, that's what the forums are here for...
testing water on a budget:
API Saltwater master kit ($18-24) (basic but not too accurate) or Seachem Multitest Basic Master Kit ($25-35) little more expensive but easier to use and more accurate....
and also a coralife or instant ocean hydrometer ($7-10)
and for a total of $25-45 you should be basically set for now...

 

[travelerjp98]

But don't get any more fish for the tank... the biological load is big enough for a 5 gallon...

 

[gil5280]

thank you, Im not going to get any more. Just try and get coral. Im thinking if i cant get the test kit in time, im going to let this fish hang out in there and feed him for a month, then add a small frag

 

[meowzer]

You know....the minimum recommended size tank for that fish is a 30G...it's probably sayin WHERE THE HECK AM I LOL
I suggest you take it back, and IF you want a fish for this tank get a clown goby (maybe 2)
Very interesting sand you have there

I like it........and the API kits are fine...get the basic one and test yourself...I would NEVER return to a store that had the nerve to charge me to test the water...what a con artist

 

[travelerjp98]

I agree with meowzer, the orchid dotty back is a little big.. a lot of gobies would fit your tank.. or also some dartfish.. just need a tight lid for those..

 

[teresaq]

I agree on the water testing. lol I have never seen a store charge for it.

 

[travelerjp98]

Also remember that in a tank that small fish aren't even necessary! You could have a really cool tank with an arrow crab or something as a centerpiece instead of a fish! Or just small inverts and corals!!!

 

[gil5280]

He was a gift, and It would hurt the person that gave it to me. He seems content for the time being, I have a 30 gallon I am planning to set up in around 8 months, and he will be moved there. Ill be able to afford a bigger tank then
He will be the only fish in the tank for now.
And I know, these guys are jerks for charging, Its 2 dollars a test. But it is what it is. Im going to fid another LFS.
Thanks Meowzer! I Love the color the sand is.

 

[travelerjp98]

yeah that sand is cool!

 

[gil5280]

I got the water tested Today, The Nitrite & Nitrate were at zero. And Hardness (i dont know what that means) was good also. The guy that usually does the test wasent there, so we did the test with a strip. Ill try and get it done again.
I did a 1 gallon water change today, the water is clear, the fish looks really good. I think this weekend im going to get the pulsing xenia, what do you guys think?

 

[travelerjp98]

It was tested with a strip? How inaccurate... I really recommend that you get a test kit (non- strip), it will save you $ in the long run and also trips to the LFS!