just some newbie stuff

[yardman4ev]

couple questions here, can anyone tell me how to intice my yellow tang to eat leafy stuff? he eats the pellets and blood worms now, and loves it, but, i was just wondering, and, is it true that my power filter, the cartridges i mean, i should never change? just let them in there permanent? i have the bio balls in there too, which i know about already, my tank is running for about 2 3 months now with no deaths, which is good, but, when do i start doing the water changes? and im gonna get some more cleaner guys, but the snails and crabs, do i have to put the water in too? from the bag or just put those guys in? and how many shrimp and what kind would be good? i have a 55 gallon !!!

 

[gati]

you could soak it in garlic to entice him-at least that is what i would do.
I would change the cartridges, just not all at once. alternate months, that way you always have some good stuff in the filters. I would go ahead and start your water changes. 30% a month, you can break it up however you like. make sure you use either R/O or distilled water to prevent massive algae buildup.
you should acclimate inverts just like you would a fish. they are senstive to salinty and ph changes.
good shrimp to have would be 4 pepermint shrimp to control apistasia, cleaner shrimp and one-only one-coral banded.
emerald crabs are great as well.
make sure you have extra shells for your hermits or they will fight to the death for shells.
having a good clean up crew will really help keep your tank clean. I would get some turbo snails as well.
hope this helps.
Christie