How to add/change water?

[francis]

Im not done adding up all the mixed water yet as a "top off". Im still checking each of their reactions. So far none has getting worst :cheer: there are still 2gals left. What should i do if the salinity went down? like from 1.023 down to 1.022? is it bad?:nervous: im planning to add a little more amount of marine salt to remaining mixed water in the bucket. Would it be fine if i do that?
Re: Lobster - i'll better do what you told me. :yes:

 

[francis]

Kissy,
in addition, as you can see on the above picture of my tank. The long tentacle is on the top of the rock. I've just noticed it sometime get huge! like a size of a plate, and she was like hanging. so i decided to move it and put her in the sand, in case she get huge again. do u think she'll be fine?

 

[kimkissyfish]

Francis,
Its FINE if the slainity goes down one point. I think at this time, we need to get your lighting picked out for your coral. Its OK if the anenome gets big, it probably has eaten or is "stretching" for the light. They do that, so its OK. Its when it "shrinks" inside out, you got a problem. I would leave the anenome at the top closer to the light, but it's your choice. The lights you have aren't strong enough for them.... After you get your new lights, he might just "walk" around the tank and finds a spot HE like. Thats natural too. ALSO, BE CAREFUL, ANENOMES CAN STING YOU! and it HURTS!
As for your water, you can add a bit more salt to the BUCKET if you want, but I think it's fine. Fill to the top and let your tank sit. I don't know how fast you will get evaporation, DId you have a canopy on your tank? Sometimes without a canopy it evaporates faster. JUST REMEMBER, to add FRESH (NON SALT) treated water to top off when the water goes down. The reason for this is; when water evaporates, the salt does not.. so as the water evap's the salinity will go up a bit, so adding fresh NON salt water will keep your salinity the same.
Now, You need to decide what kind of maintenance schedule your going to keep for your tank. Everyday, when you turn the lights on, check the temp, and a quick ck to see that everything is working properly, (powerhead's, lights, filter, skimmer etc.
I do weekly water changes and water tests (PH, calcium, alk, ck salinity) And monthly BIG maintenance.. meaning scrubbing the insides of the powerheads and the intakes and stuff, clean the glass canopys under lights.. ect...All that fun stuff!! LOL Some people only do ONE BIG water change per month, and thats fine too.. you do whats good for you and your tank. =-)
The reason I do weekly H2O changes is because my NITRATES tend to run on the high side, I find it keeps my water perameters in check. In the begining I kept a small notebook and wrote down all my readings and wrote down everytime I DID anything in the tank, so I could refer back to it if something died or wierd happened. It's fun to look back an see the progress too.
Hope this helps, Have FUN!! Don't stress out yet! LETS GET YOU SOME LIGHTS ON YOUR TANK!!
:cheer: Kim

 

[francis]

Hello Kissy!
Im here in the office. & on my way here i have thought of purchasing new lights for my tank today. I've finished adding water yesterday and so far so good. What is the reason anemone shrinks? my sebaes & long tentacle do that sometimes? Ill send u some pics of my tank next week, so you can tell more what to do.

 

[francis]

I forgot to ask. Does rubberband give effect to water? cause im using it to tighten the plastics im using for the ice.

 

[kimkissyfish]

Originally posted by Francis
I forgot to ask. Does rubberband give effect to water? cause im using it to tighten the plastics im using for the ice.
Do you mean, will it do anything to the water? NO , shouldn't if its CLEAN/new &~or washed out well....
Did you decide on lights? IF you dont see what you need at your LFS, then by all means order online. If you want you can e-mail me at cavimom@aol.com and we can go through some links to find you some lights that will work and are affordable. NO PROBLEM!
As far as the anenomes shrinking, well that could have A LOT to do with your lights, so lets get that done.. OK?
Hope this helps, KIm

 

[francis]

I already had bought one yesterday. It's a UV (blue) light. And then after, the long tentacle started stretching him self. Is it a good sign? Problem is, my damsel started chasing his own kind

Its only two of them inside, and just this morning i saw the other damsel's fins and tails are shreded

That's the lesson for me. I should've made enough hiding places for them. I dont think he'll survive the chasing.
Can you tell me other fishes i can put inside my tank that will not cause any trouble to each and everybody inside that is reef safe?. I want colorful fishes.

 

[kimkissyfish]

Francis,
Damsels are agressive fish by nature. You should get rid of both of them if your gonna want more fish. If you can catch them , trade them in for a credit when you buy your show fish.
As for the light. you said you got a blue one uv... Do you mean, Actinic Blue Power compacts? and how many did you get? The regular florescents in your hoodlight, even in actinic (or blue) arn't enough.

Or are they Power Compacts? you would want 1 daylight and one actinic... best of both worlds. for color...
When you stock your tank, I would do a search ON THIS site under fish and check out the pics and descriptions. A bi-color bennie is cool and firefish and banggi are cool. Maybe a dwarf angel or flame angel, coral beauty.... they should be OK in a 35.. but make sure they are reef safe, if your gonna want corals. Obviously you want maybe a mated pair of clowns.. percula or black are nice for your anenomes.
Thats all your choice. online you can search for a compatibility chart OR if you see fish you like, just ask here.. :yes:
Good luck Kim

 

[francis]

Well, all the fished you'd mentioned are in my list :yes: and yes, i still have to check if they are reef safe. As of the moment, maybe after to weeks or more, i will add more live rock in my tank for more hiding places. I already have prepared all the equipments im gonna need to cure the live rocks. I'll keep you posted.

 

[luvsaltlyf]

You guys are too fun!:cheer: I have been reading through your thread and it has been SO HELPFUL! I too am rearranging the tank and stressing me and the fish out. I woke up today to a dead clown and I can't find the pajama cardinal. SO I moved the rock around and then the Feather duster lost her crown and still no pajam card. I am just afraid that if she is dead that will kill others? Do I keep searching or let it go? :help:

 

[francis]

Glad to know this thread was helping others:joy: i also had no trace of my 5 gobbies, 1 damsel & 3 or 4 clownfish before i started re-arranging my tank. Maybe lobster feasted them

If you've searched everywhere and no trace of them, then maybe just let it go. But better test your water condition.

 

[luvsaltlyf]

Thanks! Water is perfect. From reading Kims response earlier mine may be the damsel also even though we just have one.:happyfish Now I've got all the lights off and I am trying to sneak a peak with a flashlight. Am I obsessed or what?:hilarious

 

[francis]

I also wanted to ask the same question actually! :hilarious

 

[kimkissyfish]

OMG!! Lost FISH???? Eww that's bad!
BUT, It happens to the best of us.. hehehe
I am missing a lawnmower blennie right now..

I think it's a mantis that got mine though. I have been rearranging my rock too, adding some and I think I got a stubborn hitchhicker.. Grrrrrrrrr A MANTIS!! UGH!
Anyway, See Francis, other people learn from others mishaps... I love this site, It's very helpful!
So, is everyone stressed to the HILT from catching or should I say CHASING their Damsels.. LOL Gosh, I remember that day STILL!! I was so bloody aggrivated!... I couldn't return mine cuz by the time I caught it, it was covered in what I think was ICH (from stress) and then I flushed it and watched it GO DOWN>>!!! That fight lasted over an hour! So, to make your life easier, remove or move as much rock as you can before attempting to catch the bugger! HAHA
Did you find out what kind of lights you have Francis?
I've typed enough now.LOL Kim :cheer:

 

[tmgpp]

what is a mantis

 

[francis]

I just received ur reply today, kim. Im sorry i forgot to check it last night after i get home (it's a tough day yesterday here in the office :sleepy: )
I'll check it again.
Re: DAMSEL - you mean i should get rid of it if im planning to add more different fish? BTW, i lost the other damsel. My sister said it was brutally killed by the other one

. My sister is taking care of our tank while im at work

 

[kimkissyfish]

TM, A Mantis is a SHRIMP hitchicker that can break your glass tank and eat your stock.. They call them Thumb splitters because they can do just that.. UGH!
And Yes, Francis, Just get rid of him Now... That damsel will just aggrivate and Pi$$ you off.. LOL
Kim

 

[francis]

Hello Kim! i bought yesterday a neon blue gobby, cleaner wrasse & an african clown fish. I was first looking only for a tomatoe clown but can't find any of it yet so i decided to get the mentioned fishes after i get home i found my missing seabe

and it's shreded and obviously dead!

my sister told me that the lobster before was carrying the dead sebae

. well but then after i put in the new fishes, the african clown fish was just swimming around and after less than an hour he started hosting the last sebae

:cheer:

I've read of the fact that a clown fish helps an anemone to be hardy or fasten the acclimation (and the same thing to him)
Re: LIGHT - i think i better add another lighting. the one i'd bouth has nothing to read. Or better yet check is to LFS where i bought it.

 

[francis]

I would to ask and know, if i can immediately put in the mixed water right after the marine salt disolved? i wanted to make a change water to my tank because of the cloudiness caused by the shreded seabe.
tnx!

 

[kimkissyfish]

Francis,
Thats cool your fish took to the anenome, Yes, please upgrade your lights, thats the most important thing right noe to save them.
Also, cool fish... But, I hate to say it but the cleaner wrasse, they DIE easily.. sorry....not hardy fish and dont last long, so dont be surprised when it bites the dust.. so sorry, really!

Ya, so go ahead and make the water change and make sure you fill the tank to the top. Check your salinity too. OK? It should help the cloudiness and maybe add carbon to your filter. That should help too.
Also, think about returning the lobster cuz he's reek havock in your tank and just keep murdering..

Good luck, let us know how its going, Kim