Hello to all

Help with new tank set up

This tank has been up and running for 6 months now.
Hello to all I am new to the saltwater tank world so I have a few questions. I have had a freshwater tank now for many years so I thought I would give
a saltwater tank a try. I am learning as I go. First I have a 30 gallon tank with a deep sand bed and have between 30 to35 lbs of live rock. This tank has been set up for a
few months now. I have noticed the rock has some feather duster wormsm some purple coralline( I think) and some maroon sponges. I have a picture so if I am wrong someone please help with that
I have a hang on the back filter for water movement and will be receiving a hang on the back protein skimmer on Wednesday. My levels are all good upon water testing. I have a few crabs and I believe one or two emerald that are hitchhikers.
I am having trouble keeping snails but I believed that is because they fell over and died or didn't have enough food due to being a newer tank. The fish I have in the tank now are two clown fish (juvenile) but I believe they are starting to pair off. I will be receiving soon, in order to make this a reef
tank 1 Pagoda Coral - Frag, 1 Aquacultured Blue Xenia, 1 Aquacultured -Blue Snowflake Polyps ( I know I have to keep an eye on because they can grow out of control) and 2 ORA Leather - Long Polyp Toadstool. I am also going to try 3 Turbo/Astrea Snail.
Now is that two many snails in a 30 gallon tank or do I need more. Also what kind of fish can I place in my tank with the clown fish. I am a afraid that they may becoming territorial. I moved my live rock around to find the best way to place them for the corals, and yes
they were trying to attack me so I believe they would attack fish if I placed them in the tank so some help is appreciated.
Thanks to all for the help!!!!
Paula

 

I have a tank that has been up and running now for 6 months. Like everyone that is new to this hobby I have a lot of questions but I am sure in time I will get things right. I have found thought that this hobby is a lot more expensive than freshwater tanks so trial and error does not sound like a good idea. I have posted a copy of this thread on the general forum but I hope I can add it here too. Thanks for the help in advance.

Hello to all I am new to the saltwater tank world so I have a few questions. I have had a freshwater tank now for many years so I thought I would give
a saltwater tank a try. I am learning as I go. First I have a 30 gallon tank with a deep sand bed and have between 30 to35 lbs of live rock. This tank has been set up for a
few months now. I have noticed the rock has some feather duster worms, some purple coralline( I think) and some maroon sponges. I have a picture so if I am wrong someone please help with that
I have a hang on the back filter for water movement and will be receiving a hang on the back protein skimmer on Wednesday. My levels are all good upon water testing. I have a few crabs and I believe one or two emerald that are hitchhikers.
I am having trouble keeping snails but I believed that is because they fell over and died or didn't have enough food due to being a newer tank. The fish I have in the tank now are two clown fish (juvenile) but I believe they are starting to pair off. I will be receiving soon, in order to make this a reef
tank 1 Pagoda Coral - Frag, 1 Aquacultured Blue Xenia, 1 Aquacultured -Blue Snowflake Polyps ( I know I have to keep an eye on because they can grow out of control) and 2 ORA Leather - Long Polyp Toadstool. I am also going to try 3 Turbo/Astrea Snail.
Now is that two many snails in a 30 gallon tank or do I need more. Also what kind of fish can I place in my tank with the clown fish. I am a afraid that they may becoming territorial. I moved my live rock around to find the best way to place them for the corals, and yes
they were trying to attack me so I believe they would attack fish if I placed them in the tank so some help is appreciated.
Thanks to all for the help!!!!
Paula

 

Welcome to 3reef PaulaJo.

I suspect you're right about the snails dying off from starvation, you seem to very little algae. Three snails is fine, try a certh or two as well.

Sounds like the clowns are being your typical more mature clowns. You might have a challenge adding new fish. When you do add more fish change the rocks around a little to change up the territories. Introduce new fish with the lights off. If the aggression gets too bad you may have to put the female clown (larger one) in a breeding box while other fish acclimate.

Perhaps try another damsel like a yellow tails, three strip or domino. A Midas blenny might work. Flame Hawk might be able to stand up to the clowns as well.

 

Thank you I will move the rock around if I add more fish. If I get the net out and put it in the water the fish will move to one corner and not bother me LOL. I will try the other snail suggestions also. Should I even try and place some zooplankton in the tank or is this not needed yet?

 

Zooplankton like copepods and amphipods will happen eventually. You can probably add or encourage the development of zooplankton by adding Chaeto or feeding phytoplankton once or twice a week.

Someday in the future the net will not save you from the clowns.


Here are some good ID links for hitch-hikers, you'll find ID's for different zooplankton as well.

LionfishLair.com - Hitchhiker Guide to your Aquarium
Live Rock Hitch Hikers

 

I am sure that the clown fish will win the fight one day lets hope that I don't need to put my hand in the water after I get the corals and another fish maybe two ???? thanks a lot for the web cites they sure did come in handy

 

You're welcome.

 

Few things..

1) Go ahead and post your level for PH, Nitrite, Nitrate, Alk, Phosphate, Calcium.
2) Cleaner crew check out these 2 sites below
Saltwater Aquarium Inverts for Marine Reef Aquariums: Basic & Deluxe Caribbean Reef Packages

Saltwater Aquarium Inverts for Marine Reef Aquariums: Basic & Deluxe Caribbean Reef Packages

Generally I have gone with about 15 Astrea, 15 Nassarius, 15 cereths, plus dwarf blue legs hermits and a few scarlets but check sites above.

3) You are going to be limited in fish qty so make your choices wisely but in my 30 I have pair clowns, a yellow tail damsel and striped blenny.

4) You really are going to need to consider swapping out that hang on filter fairly soon.

 

Paula I merged your new two threads.

 

Thanks Corlinne I didn't know how to