New to hobby. My first tank,and I need some help.
- Thread starter klaeq
- Start date
klaeq
New Member
So, I got home today from being gone all day saturday, and this is what I saw in my tank. My roomie thought it would be a nice surprise for me when I got back. Needless to say I was happy, yet a little perturbed
. I wasn't planning on adding anything else besides my mushrooms for at least another 3-4 weeks.
Unfortunately, my roommate did not understand why I wanted to wait. Of course I asked if he acclimated the fish correctly, and thankfully he did. He said the guy at the LFS told him to drip acclimate it for 3 hours, until the temp and salinity matched. I'm hoping that everything is going to be okay. I DO NOT want to rush this and put anything else in there. Especiallly since I found out I might be moving in the next month or so. I'm going to go take some readings to make sure everything is okay.
Unfortunately, my roommate did not understand why I wanted to wait. Of course I asked if he acclimated the fish correctly, and thankfully he did. He said the guy at the LFS told him to drip acclimate it for 3 hours, until the temp and salinity matched. I'm hoping that everything is going to be okay. I DO NOT want to rush this and put anything else in there. Especiallly since I found out I might be moving in the next month or so. I'm going to go take some readings to make sure everything is okay.
deltablack22
Active Member
When life gives you lemons make lemonade right... I dont know that I buy the "my roomate bought me a fish and had the knowedge to drip acclimate it" part but whatever. If thats the only impulsive thing done to your tank I think your going to be just fine.
klaeq
New Member
He has had freshwater fish his whole life. Plus he was there when I was dripping my mushrooms.
Current readings:
Temp: 80
Sal: 1.024
PH: 8.2
Alk: 1.7-2.8
Ca: >450ppm
NH3: 0
NO2: 0
NO3: 5.0
I'm gonna keep watching the tank to make sure the NO3 doesn't get any worse.
That, and the tank is a little cloudy, but hopefully that goes away in a day or so as well.
Current readings:
Temp: 80
Sal: 1.024
PH: 8.2
Alk: 1.7-2.8
Ca: >450ppm
NH3: 0
NO2: 0
NO3: 5.0
I'm gonna keep watching the tank to make sure the NO3 doesn't get any worse.
That, and the tank is a little cloudy, but hopefully that goes away in a day or so as well.
klaeq
New Member
My true perc is eating no problem
, but my Nitrate levels are still at 5.0ppm. Not very high (from what I was told, but still alarming right??)
Also, I noticed these bright green patches on some of my LR. As well as some dark black patches. I've outlined them below. Green in picture 1 and black in picture number 2. Both of these are hard to the touch. Are the black spots on the LR dead spots?? Do I need to scrub it off (green spots and black)? Or leave them be?
Also, do you think I should do a 10% water change daily till the NO3 goes down, or will my weekly 20% be okay??
Also, I noticed these bright green patches on some of my LR. As well as some dark black patches. I've outlined them below. Green in picture 1 and black in picture number 2. Both of these are hard to the touch. Are the black spots on the LR dead spots?? Do I need to scrub it off (green spots and black)? Or leave them be?
Also, do you think I should do a 10% water change daily till the NO3 goes down, or will my weekly 20% be okay??
mcbdz
Active Member
I would just let everything get use to the enviroment for awhile.
My rocks got all different colors on it for awhile. I loved the floresent pinks and greens, but most of that is covered with the different purple and green coraline now. The black, I'm not sure but it could be a sponge. If you have flow and light don't worry inless it is slimy, hairy, or bubbly.
For trates, 5 will be ok for fish, just stick to your schedule maintaince.
Your tank will change a lot over the next couple of months. Just enjoy all the new things. I love to use a flashlight at night and check out the night critters. You will be surpprised what you find. I still find new things and haven't added anything new in a couple months. try it.
My rocks got all different colors on it for awhile. I loved the floresent pinks and greens, but most of that is covered with the different purple and green coraline now. The black, I'm not sure but it could be a sponge. If you have flow and light don't worry inless it is slimy, hairy, or bubbly.
Your tank will change a lot over the next couple of months. Just enjoy all the new things. I love to use a flashlight at night and check out the night critters. You will be surpprised what you find. I still find new things and haven't added anything new in a couple months. try it.
deltablack22
Active Member
Originally Posted by mcbdz
Well, at least he picked a beauty.
I love the trues. I have 2 false in my 55. When I get my next tank I'm going to try trues. Just make sure he is eating. I think they are only wild caught. Good Luck.
This site sells aquacultured true percs...
https://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11...ot_parent_id=4
Well, at least he picked a beauty.
https://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11...ot_parent_id=4
klaeq
New Member
So, I'm still doing good on my tank. Cant wait to add something new. I went to the LFS today to get my water tested and compare it to my readings. Here is what I got:
My readings:
Temp: 80
Sal: 1.024
PH: 8.2
Alk: 1.7-2.8
Ca: >450ppm
NH3: 0
NO2: 0
NO3: 5.0
LFS readings:
Sal: 1.025
PH: 8.4
Alk: 1.7
NH3: 0
NO2: 0
NO3: 0
I bought some more water to do some changes hoping to bring down my PH. I was told that 8.4 is lethal to my tank. Hopefully it goes down some. Thanks to everyone for helping me so far. I will keep you all posted on my progress.
(on a side note: I plan on moving in the next month or two,to my own house and plan on upgrading. I.E. 210+ gallons.
. something that will be easier. LOL)
My readings:
Temp: 80
Sal: 1.024
PH: 8.2
Alk: 1.7-2.8
Ca: >450ppm
NH3: 0
NO2: 0
NO3: 5.0
LFS readings:
Sal: 1.025
PH: 8.4
Alk: 1.7
NH3: 0
NO2: 0
NO3: 0
I bought some more water to do some changes hoping to bring down my PH. I was told that 8.4 is lethal to my tank. Hopefully it goes down some. Thanks to everyone for helping me so far. I will keep you all posted on my progress.
(on a side note: I plan on moving in the next month or two,to my own house and plan on upgrading. I.E. 210+ gallons.
jennythebugg
Active Member
very nice shrooms !
klaeq
New Member
thnx, the shrooms are getting huge. I'm acutally thinking of fragging them and putting them on a larger rock. . I've still only got the true perc and mushrooms. I was going to add some zoos in the next week or so, but found out that I may be moving before the end of august, so I will have to wait. I dont want to worry bout moving to many critters. LOL. I will keep everyone posted on my progress. Once again, thanks everyone. More pics to come soon.
klaeq
New Member
Below are my new additions to the tank. All levels are good, and everything seems to be happy.
1: My Brain Coral, Wellsophyllia.
2: Blood red fire shrimp
3: Zoanthus
4: Zoanthus (back view with pink polyps)
5: update mushroom pics
I thought I would keep you all posted. I appreciate all your help so far.
locofish: I am currently in the process of getting ahold of a lawnmower blenny, my lfs is always sold of of them.
1: My Brain Coral, Wellsophyllia.
2: Blood red fire shrimp
3: Zoanthus
4: Zoanthus (back view with pink polyps)
5: update mushroom pics
I thought I would keep you all posted. I appreciate all your help so far.
locofish: I am currently in the process of getting ahold of a lawnmower blenny, my lfs is always sold of of them.
