I hate to say "first try because" it implies an impending fish-a-cide

M

mikebbass

Guest
but lets face it, this is my first try. I had a failed fresh water tank about a decade ago, but recently my kids asked for a saltwater tank so here I am.
The tank has had water in it for about 30 days. For good or bad, I listened to the support people from Natures Ocean and put fish in the tank almost instantly. I had an ammonia spike but not nearly as high as I expected and its been down at 0 ever since. nitrite has been at 5 (the max my chart goes to) and Nitrates have been at 0. this week I added Bio Spira which I hope will bring me good bugs to get rid of the Nitrites. So far things are going well, the tank is clear and even though I have clearly (According to everything I have read) stocked too much too soon, they all seem to be doing well. We have had 3 deaths, 2 were due to a mean red lipped blenny that someone gave us as a gift and the 3rd was a chocolate starfish that wasnt handled correctly by the guy at the fish store or by me (I later learned you dont expose them to air) Everyone else seems to be doing well. the Tang gets stressed and turns whiteish every morning but calms down a little while after the lights come on.
What else should I have for tank health? I think I still need some cleaner things and stuff to stir up the sand but I am not sure. Every forum I read seems to disagree with every other forum on every topic related to saltwater anything. What else am I doing wrong?
My Tank
I have a 50 gallon tank with about 50 pounds of live rock and 80 pounds of live sand (Nature's Ocean Bio-Activ Live Aragonite Reef Sand). I have a Rena xp3 canister and a seaclone 100 protein skimmer (I know I read they are crap after I bought it) and a marineland double brite LED.
My Fish:
#2 Clown fish, 1 is an ocellaris, I dont know what the other kind is its bigger and the lines are not as clean.
#1 yellow tang
#1 emerald crab (He must have snuck in on some live rock we didnt buy him)
#3 small hermit crabs (dont know what kind)
#10 Nerite Snails
#1 Derasa clam
#5 Pepermint shrimp
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikebbass http:///t/389269/i-hate-to-say-first-try-because-it-implies-an-impending-fish-a-cide#post_3439389
but lets face it, this is my first try. I had a failed fresh water tank about a decade ago, but recently my kids asked for a saltwater tank so here I am.
The tank has had water in it for about 30 days. For good or bad, I listened to the support people from Natures Ocean and put fish in the tank almost instantly. I had an ammonia spike but not nearly as high as I expected and its been down at 0 ever since. nitrite has been at 5 (the max my chart goes to) and Nitrates have been at 0. this week I added Bio Spira which I hope will bring me good bugs to get rid of the Nitrites. So far things are going well, the tank is clear and even though I have clearly (According to everything I have read) stocked too much too soon, they all seem to be doing well. We have had 3 deaths, 2 were due to a mean red lipped blenny that someone gave us as a gift and the 3rd was a chocolate starfish that wasnt handled correctly by the guy at the fish store or by me (I later learned you dont expose them to air) Everyone else seems to be doing well. the Tang gets stressed and turns whiteish every morning but calms down a little while after the lights come on.
What else should I have for tank health? I think I still need some cleaner things and stuff to stir up the sand but I am not sure. Every forum I read seems to disagree with every other forum on every topic related to saltwater anything. What else am I doing wrong?
My Tank
I have a 50 gallon tank with about 50 pounds of live rock and 80 pounds of live sand (Nature's Ocean Bio-Activ Live Aragonite Reef Sand). I have a Rena xp3 canister and a seaclone 100 protein skimmer (I know I read they are crap after I bought it) and a marineland double brite LED.
My Fish:
#2 Clown fish, 1 is an ocellaris, I dont know what the other kind is its bigger and the lines are not as clean.
#1 yellow tang
#1 emerald crab (He must have snuck in on some live rock we didnt buy him)
#3 small hermit crabs (dont know what kind)
#10 Nerite Snails
#1 Derasa clam
#5 Pepermint shrimp
Hi,
Welcome to the site. You will find that everyone has an opinion...that's why you get different advice. I am not sure what you are asking.
You came to a good place to get info and hang out with saltwater critter crazies. A 50g is a pretty small tank for a yellow tang (they need 6ft tanks) but other than that, it's too late to talk cycling with live fish...we advise to use a chunk of raw shrimp. But that's way over and done now.
If you don't have algae issues, then your CUC (Clean Up Crew) of snails and shrimp is good enough. Just two clowns and a tang, you don't have the tank overstocked. Personally I would (another opinion) return the tang and go for a dwarf angelfish. A royal gramma or a orchid dottyback would go nice in the tank as well. You must choose since you can't mix a dottyback and a royal gramma.
We love pictures.
P.S.
I'm not sure you have enough light for the clam...I don't know much about them, maybe someone will chime in...
 
slice

slice

Active Member
Welcome to the site!
It may be useful to read through the recommended threads at the top of the "New Hoppyists" forum here:
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/f/15/new-hobbyists
 
M

mikebbass

Guest
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/389269/i-hate-to-say-first-try-because-it-implies-an-impending-fish-a-cide#post_3439398
...
We love pictures.
P.S.
I'm not sure you have enough light for the clam...I don't know much about them, maybe someone will chime in...
I was worried about the light, so far he looks happy, Its been hard to find definitive information on how good LEDs are in this space.
Here are some pics

Quote:
Originally Posted by Slice http:///t/389269/i-hate-to-say-first-try-because-it-implies-an-impending-fish-a-cide#post_3439400
Welcome to the site!
It may be useful to read through the recommended threads at the top of the "New Hoppyists" forum here:
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/f/15/new-hobbyists
Thanks I have read most of the tips on many of the forums. What is hard is that they don't all agree. I guess that is probably true of any subject.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/389269/i-hate-to-say-first-try-because-it-implies-an-impending-fish-a-cide#post_3439404
Powerheads, heater and a strong back for water changes.
Sorry I forgot to mention I have a 200 Watt heater. You bring up something I have a question about which is water changes and general tank maintenance. If my numbers are good, the water looks nice, there is barely any algae and the fish seem healthy how much water should I change and how often?
How do I know if I need a powerhead or more flow?
Thanks everyone by the way. I appreciate any time or advice you can give. Ill take some more pictures soon.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikebbass http:///t/389269/i-hate-to-say-first-try-because-it-implies-an-impending-fish-a-cide#post_3439408
Sorry I forgot to mention I have a 200 Watt heater. You bring up something I have a question about which is water changes and general tank maintenance. If my numbers are good, the water looks nice, there is barely any algae and the fish seem healthy how much water should I change and how often?
How do I know if I need a powerhead or more flow?
Thanks everyone by the way. I appreciate any time or advice you can give. Ill take some more pictures soon.
It depends on what you define as "good" water parameters and what supplements you use, and if your calcium/alkalinity/pH is in balance.
You don't have enough light to keep a clam long term. Are you feeding any phytoplankton? You're starving him. Unless you start feeding phyto often (which will cause your water quality to deteriorate if not enough adequate filtration) and you upgrade your light, your clam will die.
When you upgrade your lighting, you will most likely have an algae problem.
 
M

mikebbass

Guest
Oh then I have a question for you travelerjp98 where is a good fish store? All I can find around here is *****
 
travelerjp98

travelerjp98

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikebbass http:///t/389269/i-hate-to-say-first-try-because-it-implies-an-impending-fish-a-cide#post_3439479
Oh then I have a question for you travelerjp98 where is a good fish store? All I can find around here is *****
There is a local Chain called Treasure Island Pet Center.
They have a location in Thorndale, 3295 Lincoln Hwy Thorndale, PA 19372.
They also have another location in West Chester, 1502 West Chester Pike, West Chester, PA 19382-7705.
I have only been to the one in Thorndale... and I'm pretty satisfied... even though they have a poor selection, all their fish are in good condition... and the people who work there are honest...
Pickering Valley Feed and Farm is great... but really overpriced IMO.
305 Gordon Drive Exton, PA 19341-1201. It's literally 5 minutes away from me.
The best place is in Lancaster, it is known nation wide. Quite an amazing place.... too bad it's so far away...
237 Centerville Rd Lancaster, PA 17603
Hope this helps.
 
M

mikebbass

Guest
SnakeBlitz I don't know what to do about the clam. I can't afford to spend $200 on new lights and I certainly don't want to screw up the water quality or grow a an algae swamp thing.
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikebbass http:///t/389269/i-hate-to-say-first-try-because-it-implies-an-impending-fish-a-cide#post_3439479
Oh then I have a question for you travelerjp98 where is a good fish store? All I can find around here is *****
How far are you willing to travel? There is Frazer Zoo in Philly, Hidden Reef (i think) in Levittown, Aquarium Center in Jersey, Captain Nemo's in East Norriton (I'm not sure about how good it was used to be good, management went bad and under new ownership now), the Fish Factory (I forget where it is but I think it is down the road from Hidden Reef). You can also join Delaware Valley Reefer's Club and perhaps others will have more input.
 
M

mikebbass

Guest
Gemmy,
I've been to Nemo's and while they had a good selection, the tanks were not that clean and there were more than a few dead fish. I tried to go to the fish factory but it was closed down, unless that was the hidden reef I forget which. I am milling to drive as far as it takes assuming the fish will survive the drive home. I would love to be able to. Pick up some used equipment as well I guess I need some t5s if I want to keep the clam alive. I would like to build a sump as well.
 
travelerjp98

travelerjp98

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by travelerjp98 http:///t/389269/i-hate-to-say-first-try-because-it-implies-an-impending-fish-a-cide#post_3439481
There is a local Chain called Treasure Island Pet Center.
They have a location in Thorndale, 3295 Lincoln Hwy Thorndale, PA 19372.
They also have another location in West Chester, 1502 West Chester Pike, West Chester, PA 19382-7705.
I have only been to the one in Thorndale... and I'm pretty satisfied... even though they have a poor selection, all their fish are in good condition... and the people who work there are honest...
Pickering Valley Feed and Farm is great... but really overpriced IMO.
305 Gordon Drive Exton, PA 19341-1201. It's literally 5 minutes away from me.
The best place is in Lancaster, it is known nation wide. Quite an amazing place.... too bad it's so far away...
237 Centerville Rd Lancaster, PA 17603
Hope this helps.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikebbass http:///t/389269/i-hate-to-say-first-try-because-it-implies-an-impending-fish-a-cide#post_3439792
Gemmy,
I've been to Nemo's and while they had a good selection, the tanks were not that clean and there were more than a few dead fish. I tried to go to the fish factory but it was closed down, unless that was the hidden reef I forget which. I am milling to drive as far as it takes assuming the fish will survive the drive home. I would love to be able to. Pick up some used equipment as well I guess I need some t5s if I want to keep the clam alive. I would like to build a sump as well.
My above suggestions?
 
M

mikebbass

Guest
Treasure Island Pet Center will be my next stop. I wish they had a web page.
 
travelerjp98

travelerjp98

Active Member
Just saying, to warn you, they do not have a good selection at all.. or at least the Thorndale one doesn't. They are great, however, to order from.
If your heading in that direction, make a stop at Pickering Valley Feed and Farm. Overpriced, maybe, but it's a nice place.... but still relatively small in the SW dept.
The best place, by far, is the one in Lancaster.
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikebbass http:///t/389269/i-hate-to-say-first-try-because-it-implies-an-impending-fish-a-cide#post_3439792
Gemmy,
I've been to Nemo's and while they had a good selection, the tanks were not that clean and there were more than a few dead fish. I tried to go to the fish factory but it was closed down, unless that was the hidden reef I forget which. I am milling to drive as far as it takes assuming the fish will survive the drive home. I would love to be able to. Pick up some used equipment as well I guess I need some t5s if I want to keep the clam alive. I would like to build a sump as well.
How long ago was it that you went to Nemo's? They went under new management in November. There's a couple of stores in Jersey that I could recommend if you're ever down this way.
About your light issues....I know someone who is upgrading to LED's in the next couple of weeks and might be willing to make a good deal for a metal halide fixture with power compacts (and even new bulbs). ;)
 
M

mikebbass

Guest
II was at Nemo's in October so I'll give them another look. I would certainly be interested in hearing about the lights. I just checked the calcium in the tank ant it's good
 
M

mikebbass

Guest
Well last night I went to the store and bought marine stabilizer and some purple tech to get some purple algae going. I put in the correct amounts and everyone seemed healthy when we went to bed. When we woke up all the fish were dead and the water is cloudy. The clam , crams and snails all still seem alive. Two pajama cardinals are still alive but barely. They are at the top of the tank gasping for air. Ph is at 8.0 ammonia is at 0 nitrite spiked at 5 ppm and nitrate has jumped up to 40 ppm.
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
Sounds like you had a pH crash - I am sorry to here this, you have to get some water changes going and get some carbon going fast. I am sorry I didn't read your whole thread but what is your tank size. Also remove all the dead fish.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top