Questions and questions...

[crnbndr]

Ok. So bare with me here. I'm new to the saltwater field. I've had a 92 gallon tank for alittle over two months now. I picked it up used from a private party. Its has two Eclipse 2 hoods and two heaters. I guess I messed up the filling part, as I premixed the saltwater in a 5 gallon bucket before pouring it in. Looks like that wasnt the best way to do it. But its done now. I ran the tank for close to 2 weeks before putting anything in it. Testing it, to make sure the salt mix was correct. The first things in the tank were the hermit crabs and the shrimp, under advise from the previous owner, and the local fish store. The next things that went in were the clown, scooter and domino fish. About a week later I added a crab, bumblebee snail and some live rock. Its pretty much remained that way until tuesday this week when we added the blue damsel some shells (for the hermit crabs) and the anemone. I guess from what I've read that I'm adding these guys too fast, and perhaps too many at a time. I've lucked out big time, as I'm probably only in about 350$. I've gotten everything on sale, and got a really good deal on the tank. My big issue right now is the filters. It seems that I'm having to clean them about once a week. Is this normal? I put brand new ones in, when I cycled it for the first two weeks. I dont want to seem like an idiot, but some of what I've been told, I've read on here, and some of the stuff I've been told is completly the opposite. The people here at the store have been really helpful when I ask questions, and have actually told me that they would rather not sell a certain fish to me because my tank isnt "established" well enough. I can appreciate that. So, I need some advise and direction, please.

Anyone can email me directly at crnbndr@yahoo.com. Thanks.

 

[ibanez]

Have you had any fatalities? Does the scooter blenny eat prepared foods? Frozen? How much light is in the hoods and what kind? What are the filters? How much live rock do you have in the tank? I will think of more questions soon. What kind of anemone?

 

[flower]

Welcome to the site.
I suggest, if you can, take the livestock back to the LFS for now. What kind of filters are you trying to use?
It sounds like regular fish tank lights, an anemone can't live under those lights.
What kind of substrate and how much rock?

 

[ibanez]

Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3240043

Welcome to the site.
I suggest, if you can, take the livestock back to the LFS for now. What kind of filters are you trying to use?
It sounds like regular fish tank lights, an anemone can't live under those lights.
What kind of substrate and how much rock?
I would just suggest taking back the anemone and the scooter blenny. After two months he probably is ok on the others. I am curious about the live rock though.

 

[crnbndr]

Ok. Whew.. The anemone is a bubble I think. The one we were going to get, wouldnt work with the clown. Or so, the LFS said. I'm pretty sure one of the lights is a 20w. I'm not sure about the other one yet. I havent had to change it. The original owner said that he used the tank for about two years. Never had a problem. But on the flip side, I dont know what he kept in it. The "rock" or substrate(?) is like crushed shells, little rocks and junk. Its about 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches thick. Depends on what part of the tank. No, there has not been any fatalities and the scooter eats the brine at night. I'm not sure about the flake food. I see him "scooting" around eating stuff (or so it looks like), but who knows what it is really. I'm trying to remember all the questions.... give me a second... Ok. The filters that I'm using are the ones designed for that type of hood. They run about 6 bucks for two of them. The live rock, is only like 1 piece. Just a smaller piece for now. Probably dont weigh more then 2 1/2 - 3 lbs. I'll check back in another hour or so. Thanks for the quick replies. Hope I can answer all the questions...

 

[ibanez]

How many gallon tank is it? I really think you should take back the scooter blenny and anemone, they both need well established tanks. Also live rock is the main source of filtration in saltwater, or should I say, the best source. You should really have more of it. Do some reading in the 101 tips thead at the top of this page. It will tell you where you may need to change things. Then, ask more questions as you have them. There are really so many potential problems with your system it would be hard to explain to you at this point, until you read more of the posts at the top of the page. Don't worry though, you found the right place for help.

 

[crnbndr]

I've talked to the LFS and they said that they would rather not take them back. They realize my situation, but given the size of my tank, and already having the blenny for nearly a month. They dont forsee a problem with its health, unless there is some drastic change with the tanks system. As for the anemone, get some better bulbs. I'm going to go back and talk to someone else, as see what they have to see. But thats the response for now. Again, its a 92 gallon tank, and I'm planning on getting some more rock this friday.

 

[ibanez]

It's too bad your lfs is one of those kind of stores. A light bright enough for your anemone will cost you a pretty penny.

 

[crnbndr]

Good News! I was able to actually talk to the manager saturday and she is willing to take the Blenny back in exchange for store credit. She did say that the anomone should be alright for a little while. Just keep an eye on it and try moving it up closer to the light if possible. But if I start to have problems, I can bring it back as well. We did discuss the lighting, and she suggested that I upgrade my lights, completly ditching the eclipse system that I have now, as the lights wont be bright enough in the long run, and the balasts are not strong enough to run the lights that I will need. (I believe that someone did mention that in an earlier thread). She sent us home with some silverlings or something like that to feed it. Wow! I wasnt quite expecting things to be going in the direction that they are, (having made the wrong choices and the currents problems and all) but I'm glad that I did find out before things started dying off. It just makes me wonder what the previous owner actully knew, in comparison to what he actually told me. She did also express that I need to get more live rock in the tank, to help filter the water. (Again, something somone else had mentioned in an earlier thread) Finally, the copopods are on order and I should have them by the end of the week, just in time for payday. So here's a question: How much of a "clean-up crew" should I have in the tank? I think I'm pushing close to 10-12 hermit crabs and two snails, I know that there is some smaller ones (hermit crabs) in there, but they can be harder to find at times. Also, are shrimp more for the fish, or the tank? We have one Cleaner at the moment, but the wife is wanting to get a Fire shrimp or something like that. Given my current choices, I dont want to purchase anything else until I know for sure. Finally, How long does it take for Base Rock to become live? A friend says that he has some up in his closet that he used to have in his tank, and he assures me that it isnt Lava Rock (As I did ask). Problem is that I dont know if it was in a fresh water tank or salt. Does that make a difference? I can get this stuff next to free (which is always good), but if its going to hurt my tank, I'll pass and get some more live stuff this weekend.

 

[flower]

Try to separate your paragraphs for an easier read.

Moving an anemone will not work, they go where they want.
The lights you need will cost $1000.00 new, if you go with Metal halides. You can get T5s new, for around $600.00 I think (I know little about T5s) If you stay with fish only, and take back the anemone, then the lights you have are fine.
In my 90g tank, which is close to your size tank I use 80 lbs of live rock. Fiji rock runs about $10.00 to $7.00 per pound. Base rock can be used on the bottom and it is much cheaper, some have found it for $1.00 to $3.00 per pound. I only used the Fiji so I am no expert on base rock.
You have to make sure your rocks are very stable, they need to lock into place. You do that by gently twisting each piece until it kind of "locks" into the piece next to it, and under it. Also make sure the rock is on the bottom and your substrate is around it, not under it.
Now for your filters...You need to get a canister filter with a spray bar, since it is too late to drill it for a sump. The hang on the back types don't do very well for saltwater. You also need about 3 power heads, big ones. They create water flow like the current of the ocean.
The rock and power heads are your main concern right now. I am going to stick with my original suggestion to return every fish because you have so much work to do on the tank to get it ready still.

 

[jstdv8]

another thing to mention is clownfish don't need an anemone in our tanks. They use them in the ocean for protection, but we just put in friendly tank mates to get around that. Anemones need a well established tank with prestine water, a good feeding schedule, and alot of light. if they die on you they can contaminate the whole tank and kill off everything.
You need to try and get close to 1lb of Live rock for every gallon of water the more the merrier.
Id let those pods go for about 6 months or so before adding a scooter, manderain, or wrasse that will eat pods. You need a good population of them and it takes a while. Also feed some phytoplankton one a week or whatever the bottle suggests to keep the pods fed and growing.
In the future ask in this forum or use the search option first before adding any livestock. we can let you know whats compatible with what you have. You will find that you are kind of limited on the lviestock you can keep based on other fish you have and the size of the tank.
As far as you clean up crew is concerned you can have quite a few crabs and such and probably a few more snails if you like a big CUC.
Good luck