New Tank, 3rd day with fish, thoughts?

[tisu6]

I'm just starting out with a new tank! It's a 28g NanoCube.
Right now, it's stocked with
*12 Blue Leg Hermit Crabs
*2 Mexican Turbo Snails
*1 Cleaner Shrimp
* 2 True Percula Clownfish
*1 Royal Dottyback
And today I am pciking up my 6 Stripe Wrasse (I tried to return it and delay it but the fish store would not let me). I also have some liverock and Coral. Would love to hear some input on my new tank!

 

[al&burke]

First of welcome to the site NW Burbs of Chicago - I was up there two weeks ago - Schaumberg.
Secondly how long has your tank been set up? I think you should slow down with your fish additions, believe me I know it is hard - you just want to see something in the tank.. Hold off with your six line, lets see what the others say when they chime in - what you have in there now is plenty.

 

[tisu6]

I used to live in Schaumburg. It's a nice area. Lot's to do.
I agree about slowing down but the problem is that I prepaid for the wrasse and he ordered it. He will not allow me to return it. I asked him yesterday. This is also my only tank so I have no place else to put him.

 

[flower]

Welcome to the site.
First thing for you to do is go get

[*]
Saltwater test kits..ammonia, nitrite and nitrate (a master kit is cheaper)
[*]
1 big plastice trash can ...30g to 50g size. (mark it FISH ONLY)
Salt mix
A utility pump
Salt Mix + enough RO water to fill the can and churn it 24 hours before use. Match the SG of the fish tank.
Please don't think I'm being mean, I really want to help you to have a good experience in the hobby before you just give up and say you can't do it...because if you don't listen to what I'm telling you.... that's what is going to happen.
Since you stocked the tank without a cycle.... ALL of the critters are doomed to die unless you prepare to do water changes about everyday to soft cycle this tank. You are NEVER obligated to any store. You could order $1000.00 worth of stuff, they can't make you pick it up, or pay for it. So telling us you can't refuse to pick up a fish is not true, they are jerking you around. They may refuse to order something else later, but so what...do you have any idea how many online stores you can take your business to? They loose out if they won't order for you. YOU are the costomer and always right...remember that.
You don't need to just slow down, Al&Burke was being nice.... you need to stop buying live critters and purchase a book to help you understand a little bit before continuing. Live creatures eat and poop, and they poop in the same water they live in, without enough good bacteria to eat that poop.....it will poison the entire enviroment the creatures live in. Water changes the moment the ammonia begins to spike is the only hope that these creatures in your tank will have to survive.

 

[1guydude]

+1 on the soft cycle
+1 on buying a SW aquarium book!
why not tell em ull pick it up later! I know its hard cuz getting the coral and fish are my fav parts of the hobby, but flower is right at the rate ur going...ur tank will crash and all will perish! Youll be mad! Okay women?

 

[tisu6]

I can try and see if they will let me pick it up later. I have already paid for it in order to place the order. I don't want my tank to crash. I will follow flowers instructions.
Does it make a difference that I purchased pre mixed salt water? I did not mix it myself....so all this stuff about the salt mix, I"m not familiar with it. I will def need a book.

 

[1guydude]

read it read it read it!
I have 5 diff books lol
Personally and most other aquarists....test their own water and pre-mix their own water! Most dont trust a store cuz they are out to make a buck! If they tell u ur water is good, than ur more likely to buy something right then and their! Also how do u know they arent selling u theyre old water from w/c's?

 

[tisu6]

I suppose that could be the case. I guess I took some faith since I saw his set up in the back room. It was the water that was going into all of their tanks as well. I don't know. I got this tank off a friend who explained everything to me. He has multiple tanks and lots of fish with no problems. He's never mentioned any of the stuff that you all are saying now and truthfully, I feel very discouraged. I certainly don't want to make the fish uncomfortable or have them die. Hopefully the books and flowers instructions will help.