New (well almost) 29 gal FOWLR - also need advice please.

[keimaxbode]

I lost my CB...
I put the new PH in as instructed and after a while (not sure exactly how long), I notice the CB was acting strange like he was freaking out so I unplugged the PH thinking the flow was too strong and needed to be repositioned of something, but then he kind of sunk to the bottom then swim about a bit, then sunk. He did that for a while (maybe 15 minutes) then just laid on the bottom so I tried lifting him up with a rubber spatula he swam a little but sunk again so I just let him lean against the side of the glass while keeping everyone else away from him, hoping he was just overly stressed and would come out of it with the PH being shut off, but he didn't. I'm watching the other fish. The cardinals are acting normal and the clowns are acting skiddish. I took the PH back out of the tank completely. I had also gotten a cheap mushroom to see if my lighting would be sufficient to have some of them and I think he may be dead, but I'm not sure what a dead mushroom looks like or if he is just stressed also.
I'm so upset. I thought I was finally getting things on track. I tested my water with the new test kit I ordered and it was the same as the last LFS results, which I posted earlier. The CB had done great through all of the bad water conditions, overstocking, low flow and the rest of my newbie mistakes, but after getting all of that corrected, well

.
I don't know if it was the PH and if so, wouldn't it have killed everything (a short or some kind of electrical issue)? If it wasn't that, what would have done it so suddenly and what should I do now?

 

[flower]

What sad thing.
It sounds like just a coincidence...if it was the PH shorted out it would have affected all the critters not just the CB. Mushrooms are tough..leave it alone and it will come around.

 

[keimaxbode]

So you think I should put the PH back in? The CB was just fine before, great color, eating like a horse, very active. I just can't understand what could have happened so fast if it didn't have something to do with the PH. Could there have been anything in it that got into the water that wouldn't have effected the others? I sprayed with vinegar then rinsed with the last SW change water before putting into tank. Was that wrong? If I put it back in, should I rinse again or just place back inside tank?
I obviously won't replace the CB per earlier conversation on my tank size. I've been thinking I would like to eventually have a reef tank with reef safe fish so where would be the best place to find a list of reef safe fish for a 29G? I now have left a pair of B/W Clowns and a pair of Banggai Cardinals. I will obviously wait a couple of weeks and make sure my water is stable before getting anymore fish.
I also think I need more CUC, only have a cleaner shrimp, 4 hermits, 4 sand sifting snails that I rarely see - not even sure they are all still ok - how do you know? I believe I need more snails from what I have been reading. I have hair algae and I'm sure I have other bad types on the live rock, which brings up that I only have 11.5 lbs of live rock so I should get more rock, correct? I've been reading that Marco is good or should I just go to my LFS and get dry rock then let it cycle in my last water change with a piece of my current live rock before placing in tank? If I ordered the Marco rock, would the process be the same?
The mushroom seems better now, still hasn't spread out like he was before the PH. Why would he have stressed out so badly? I made sure he wasn't in the direct flow from the PH. He didn't even react that stressed traveling an hour home and during the acclimation process. I wish I had more experience with this. I think I'm as stressed as much as they are right now. I thought everything was going so well then this happens.
Thanks again for all your help. I'm so appreciative, and please know that my frustration is with myself, not with anyone here. I know you are all trying to help.

 

[al&burke]

This hobby is not supposed to stress you. But it does at times. The sand shifting snails you have should come out during feeding time, mine as soon as I shut of the pump come out in force. Maybe your PH blew up some stuff on your rock and sand and caused a mini spike. I would put it back in because in the long run it will definitely help. You did nothing wrong with the way you cleaned it - I clean mine in vinegar all the time, I just did it yesterday, I only rinse with tap water so you did one thing better. You have to remember that these reef fish are used to lots of flow, reefs have nothing but flow around them. Remember lots of coral and fish are shipped from all around the world, your mushrooms were not stressed out they are probably the toughest corals out there, I had one get sucked into the grill of a PH once I pulled it out and it still lived.
Don't get frustrated because once you get your system settled it you will really enjoy just sitting in front of your tank, you just had a rough start. Good luck

 

[keimaxbode]

Thanks for the encouraging words, Al. I will put the PH back in and keep my fingers crossed I guess. Maybe I'll try pointing it in a different direction instead of straight across the tank. I'll test my water first and see if anything has changed.
Thanks again!

 

[al&burke]

You are welcome, believe me, I have been there, the people here really want to help, they are so passionate sometimes that they come across strong. I started my tank before I found this site and the people here really help me as well. I have made many mistakes.

 

[travelerjp98]

Sorry for your loss... good luck!
As to reef safe fish for your tank, look into:
-Dwarf Angelfish
-Gobies
-Cardinalfish
-Reef safe wrasses
I wish I could post links to competitors because another site has a complete list of both nano fish and marine fish for beginners.