vitamin supplements and such

[milomlo]

Does anyone use or add any supplements to their tank? What do you use and why? I just got a pair of clowns and they just seem hungry ALL the time. So I want to make sure that when I feed them that they are getting what they need. I also have hermits and turbo snails (I think they are Mexican but aren't sure) So I want to know also if there is anything I need to feed the tank "extra" for the snails and stuff.
I just got them yesterday and I know I fed them to much yesterday. I fed them 4 times. :scared: I KNOW I KNOW TO MUCH RIGHT?? I fed them marine flakes and mysis shrimp. So how often and should I give them any extra vitamins or anything????

 

[hedonic]

Vitamins can be kept in the water at anytime. Vita-chem is a decent product and can be used when your fish are looking stressed, if you have to do a big water change, or just on a regular basis. Although, you should not have to add vitamin supplements in an established tank with LR and LS. Feeding four times a day is fine, just make sure its a small amount. Salt water fish, generally, have a very high metabolism and need fed at least twice a day, with some more active fish it should really be 3-4 times a day. Be warned though that excess food will ruin your water quality. If they do not eat a chunk of mysis, or some flakes, pull it out.
As for the snails and crabs, a calcium supplement is benifical for the whole tank, and also is important for the crabs to be able to shed and lay down new layers of exoskeleton. But as with any additive, get a calcium test kit along with any supplement so you don't overdose. Good luck and enjoy 'em

 

[milomlo]

Ok thank you. Now is there anything I can do to make sure my snails get enough to eat?

 

[hedonic]

generally, no. There are some reciepes and suggestions, recently there was a huge thread on the topic if you search it, some do advocate it. I don't bother and they do just fine, I guess it is a question of how much rock and lighting you have.

 

[milomlo]

Well right now I only have the single light that comes with the set up. I will be getting 130 watt PC today...waiting for UPS. I have 15lb limestone as base and 16# LR and I used aragonite sand (little less than 30#. I have a 29 gal tank. Is there a way I can tell if these crabs are mexican turbos or not? The lfs sold me 6 , with 10 naus. snail, and 10 hermits (5 red 5 blue). I just read somewhere that if they are mexican that I really should only have 1. So now I am worried and I don't want them to starve.

 

[fishmamma]

Sometimes I will soak mysis or other foods in Selcon or Kent's Garlic Xtreme for few minutes before feeding. Just be sure to feed your fish a varied diet including some frozen goodies like Cyclop-eeze, Prime Reef or Formula One or Two. :joy:

 

[milomlo]

Well I was thinking of doing this tell me if this will be ok.
I have frozen mysis shrimp, marine cuisine, marine flakes, shrimp pellets.
I was thinking of taking all of this putting some kents garlic xtreme, maybe some seaweed selects and blending it all together. Then my fish will have meat and veggies. Should I add anything else?

 

[fishmamma]

I think you could add other meaty seafood from grocery store such as scallops, shrimp or squid in additions to the seaweed.

 

[milomlo]

cool ok. I will also look for that selection of bagged items everyone talks about. Although the only thing like that I have seen so far is cooked already. So I will keep looking for that. Can I add some zuccinni and broccoli as well? I have frozen veggies that have brocolli, cauliflower, squash and zuccinni. Maybe that would be good or should I just use GREEN veggies?