DEATH TANK!!!

HAVE NO FEAR---those black dots are not ich.

If I had to take a guess, I would say the black dot's are minor holes that have or at one time had a tubeworm in them. The pourousness of LR is what allows a lot of life and bacteria to inhabit the center of the rock. Since the tank is fairly new, you are going to keep seeing more and more Life. (Some of it you won't like---algaes can be a pain).

The white is either bleached coralline algae or a rare case of white coralline algae. Coralline algae is good because it makes it harder for regular plant algaes to get established in your tank.

While new tanks age, you can do everything right but you will still likely get diatoms, cyanobacteria, or hair algae. The key is to keep your water clean and don't overfeed and keep the lighting in good condition.

 

Thanks for the kind words and do keep us posted. Happy Reefing!

 

I agree the white is dead or growing corraline
corraline alge

The green is probaly diatom alge this is common with most new aquariums and just another cycle the tank goes through.


These are the main things to test for in an saltwater aquarium. You can get these seperate or in a master test kit.

Ammonia- must be at 0 ppms
nitrites - must be at 0 ppms
nitrates- perferable at 0 but ok up to around 20 ppms
ph should be 8.2-8.4
alkalinity- 9-12 dkh
salinity - 1.021-1.025 (hydrometer to test)

some people keep there tanks at different temps mines usually at 78-80 degrees

your best bet is to stopp adding things and let your tank level out give it a few days then test everthing to see where your at. heres a good beginner site to check out

reefkeeping 101

 

Hey guys.

It's been a while that I don't jump on the forums again.
I been trying to tune down my enthusiasm while I waited to make my "Death Tank" ready for fish again.

I got my heater, I traded the CBS and finally found a skunk cleaner shrimp. I've been able to mantain ideal test reading steadily over the past couple of months.

I used a small dose of Greenex to kill away any traces of ich left in the tank. >

 

<<<Sorry I hit Enter by mistake>>>

Assuming that all was good, I decided it was time to add a swimmer to the tank. I added a small yellow-striped maroon clown.

He acts kinda weird. He spends most of his time swimming around the surface with his dorsal fin touching the surface. Almost like he's looking for something. So I figured it must be an anemone or something. Which one would you guys suggest? Oh, and are there any major differences I need to know about between the maroon and the yellow-striped maroon? As usual thanks for all you help, support, and advice.

Yours truly,

David

 

Before Jumping into the arena of anemone keeping lets make sure the tank is Happy and stable. I applaud your concern and studious nature now we must teach patience it is hard but slow down. One mistake you are going to make is to be desperate to stock the tank you will get stuck with something you don't want in the future because of compatibility issues. In a small tank you really need to be careful How and what you stock. After all the battles you have already waged and money spent I would like to see you enjoy success and not more trauma.
Answer some of these questions:
What do you want the tank to look like?
Are you wanting fowl or reef?
How long has the tank been running successfully? No deaths no cycle spikes ( By the way the cycle period is one of the most important time not to be adding chemicals blindly)
What fish are you wanting or what are your favorite fish?
How much time do you have to spend?
You stated limited funds ( as we all seem to have ) can you afford the additives and foods necessary to keep reef happy?
Can you spend time at the lfs that is selling you product not buying ogling or browsing but just listening?
I don't want to badger you but I hate to have your reef be the next garage sale bargain due to frustration I suggest slow down step back and plan a course of action you have a lot of great here use it we all love the hobby and will help for free.

 

Man I wish I can type as fast as I think spell check doesn't tel me when I leave out words! I meant great PEOPLE here

 

Thanks for the fast reply Phil. I really appreciate all your help. I pasted your questions for ease of reading. Thanks again.

What do you want the tank to look like?

My goal is for my tank to have movement, don't get me wrong I love my LR, but it isn't exactly thrilling to watch. I would like to have my tank as populated as safely possible, however I AM NOT WILLING TO SACRIFICE THE LIVES OF ANYTHING THAT IS ALIVE FOR MY PLEASURE. The lives that have been lost due to my inexperience have brought much grief and had I any idea it would've happened I wouldn't of added them to the tank. I want add tank members as safely as possible. And once it's enough, it's enough.

Bottom line. I want some coral, Lots of cleaning critters, some fish, and if possible an anemone for the maroon. I realize that there are compatibility issues, and it gets complicated with anemones (mobile stingers) and the maroon (aggressive), but what I figure is that as far as fish go I will probably only be able to have a grand total of two.

Are you wanting fowl or reef?


Fowl?

How long has the tank been running successfully? No deaths no cycle spikes ( By the way the cycle period is one of the most important time not to be adding chemicals blindly)

The tank was purchased and initially setup on Sept. 23, 2003 (Wedding anniversary present from my wife). The last death in the tank was the blue green chromis in Mid November, I think. We believe he died because he didn't like the heater, since he died within 2 days of installing it, and he stayed right next to it the most of the time. After that there's been no problems with the tank. The CBS stayed with us for the while, and he molted regularly as well as the smaller emerald crab. We did run water tests at least bi-weekly. And they all checked out perfect.

So about 2 months of stability.

What fish are you wanting or what are your favorite fish?

BIG SUBJECT! Being a beginner, I will tell you what I look for in a fish, being that I don't know much. Since I only plan on having two fish for a long while, selection is a big deal. I got the clown, for several reasons. I understand that they are hardy fish. Their personality, although aggressive, it is very unique and entertaining. Shape and color, I like the exotic looking fins and the color contrast (especially, the yellow-striped maroon). And I like the idea that it can have a symbiotic relationship (a co-worker has one that mouth feeds its home bubble coral).

The second candidate gets a little more complicated now. I don't want him to be stressed by the clown. So I need something hardy as well. Probably, a ground dwelling fish or a crevice lover. That will most probably be out of the clowns way most of the time. Please suggest.

How much time do you have to spend?

Most of my nights are dedicated to observation and I do some research during the day on this subject as it is. Every other weekend I use it to make rounds by the LFS, test my water, and buy supplements or accessories if needed.

You stated limited funds ( as we all seem to have ) can you afford the additives and foods necessary to keep reef happy?

I have some money I can put into it, but not too much. Give me an idea of what we're looking at.

Can you spend time at the lfs that is selling you product not buying ogling or browsing but just listening?

Yes. We leave all our plastic and cash at home and go make rounds on the weekends.

 

OK you have a Maroon Clown which wiil very terrirorial and more so with an anenome. There is not enough room in your 15 gallon to handle another fish in my opinion. I would add a 4 or 5 scarlet hrmits and 6 - 8 snails for maintenance. You can add some soft corals - xenia, mushrooms and polyps with limited lighting.

The challenge is going to be lighting sufficient for an anenome. A Bubble Tipped Anenome (BTA) will require good light intensity. I have a BTA in a 20 gallon long but it is only 12" tall. I have 110 watts of Power Compact lighting. This 5+ watts per gallon and shallow depth give me very good light intensity and it is thriving. I have two small damsels in my tank, but if I move my Maroon clown to my 20 gallon for the anenome, the damsels will go to my 80 gallon.

Anenomes require careful acclimation and do best with no clown fish to interfere with their first two to four weeks of acclimation. You have a challenge already with that.

Decide on what you want and we'll help you get there. FOWL is Fish Only With Liverock and that's not what you want, eh?

 

Good to hear from you Craig.

Unfortunately, to stress even more on your point, my tank is a mere 10 gal not a 15. 10 nice turbo snails provide cleaning services for the tank. I also have a red mushroom that has prospered pretty well, however, it became loose from the rock and I suspect it was due to the Greenex. The shroom looks good today though.

Lighting is definitely an issue. I have a 24" Coralife lamp ( 50/50; 28 watts). Very humble. :-/ Are there any possibly economic upgrades?

I would like to be able to give my Maroon a place to call home. Whether it is a passive anemone (if possible) or a soft coral it can take to without harming either. If this means that I can only have one or the other, so be it. I'm sure there'll be some interesting developments in the time it takes me to get a larger tank.

Fish are great, but I like the balance between rock, coral, fish, and inverts. Providing an environment as natural as possible.

If another fish is not suggested, then this tank will have only one swimmer.

The anemone, alright, so the acclimation will be a pain in the butt. Is it even possible? Suggested? Insight please. I just see the maroon swimming along the surface like he's looking for something. I feel sorry for the lil fellow, that's all. :'(

Hmmm. Oh yeah, I snapped a couple of pics of the new mates. I've found something I have no idea what it is and I was hoping you guys could help me ID them to make sure their not bad. Will post the pics soon. Thanks for all your help and advice. Thanks a million to all.