Hi! I am new, any advice?

[jburgi]

Hi!
I am new to the marine hobby! So far I love it. I tried freshwater for about 4 years with little to no luck. I decided to switch to saltwater about 6 months ago, and haven't regretted it for a second.
So I guess I will start with giving a little background. I have a 47 gal tall tank. I have a tall formation of live rock, and just switched out filter pads for live rock in my filtration system. I have a few lavender mushrooms, some kenya tree,and some different polyps that came on my live rock that I am not sure of the names. I have 2 emerald crabs, some red leg hermits, and some blue leg hermits. A few snails that I put in the tank, and tons of tiny little ones that just appeared one day. I added 2 peppermint shrimp a couple weeks ago that are doing a wonderful job clearing up the aptasia that were becoming a pain. There is 1 maroon clown that I have had for about 5 months, and a cowfish that I added today. There is also a sand sifter starfish that cruises the tank.
My water has always been crystal clear. I check the salinity once a week and do about a 30-40 % water change once a month. I don't have a test kit, but take it in to my local petsmart to have the water tested about once a month and before I add anything new.
I love all of the creatures that pop out of the rock that I didn't add! It is crazy amazing to see all the life that lives in the tank. I set it up in my 2 yr old's room, and she is mesmerized by it. There is a scallop (at least i think its a scallop) that lives in the rock that i found one day. I have funny little starfish that's legs range from 2 legs to 7 legs!
I know the cowfish can be toxic when it dies...so I want to do EVERYTHING possible to keep him alive. He is soooo rad looking I just couldn't resist. I only have 1 other fish in the tank. I want to keep it very lightly stocked regardless. I also know that he will outgrow my tank eventually, but I made arrangements for him when he gets to big for my tank. He is pretty small right now, about 2".
Any suggestions recommendations would be GREATLY appreciated. Things seem to be going great right now...I just want to keep it that way.
Thanks so much!
Jessica

 

[snakeblitz33]

Do you run carbon? Do you feed high quality frozen foods?
There's a lot that can go wrong in a saltwater tank. But, it sounds like you are making very good decisions so far. I suggest to do some further reading. We have an excellent tips and tricks section in the New Hobbyist forum that you should read through. If you haven't already, buy a good book such as "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" by Bob Fenner. Buy a guide to invertebrates and a guide to fish book and research every single purchase to the fullest extent that you can before you buy. This will ensure that you will be making the right decisions for your tank.
Welcome to the forums! Stick around for awhile.

 

[coralman05]

Buy a master test kit you WILL need it.. better to see the problem their than in your tank.. What kind of water do you use?

 

[jburgi]

I am not running carbon as of yesterday. I had carbon filters in while i was setting up my biofiltration, which has been about 6 months. I have been slowly adding things, and keeping the stock low. I took the carbon out yesterday and replaced it with more live rock. I also have quite a bit of live rock in the actual tank.
The frozen that I have been buying so far is called San Francisco Bay brand. I got it at petsmart. I am not sure if its the best brand, but it is what was recommended. I have been mostly getting brine shrimp, because it seems to be the favorite for all the creatures in my tank. However when I bought my cowfish yesterday I was told to pick up a seafood medley they sell fresh in our local grocery, and freeze and feed that as well.
I have been trolling this forum for awhile! It has answered a lot of questions for me. This is just the first time I have posted anything! Thanks so much!
Jessica

 

[snakeblitz33]

Rinse all of your frozen foods through a strainer before you feed your fish. This will flush away the excess juice that causes increases in nitrate and phosphate.