Need Help

RO water you can buy from a LFS but, if its not available distilled is fine for now as well. Ifyour tankis brand new..REALLY you shouldnt have anything in their until its completed its cycle. Its NOTHING like a freshwater tank. I am also new into the hobby and had mine set up-with Live Rock for 3 months (a bit drastic but, safe) before I added ANYTHING.. I made plenty PLENTY of mistakes and asked TONS of questions... With SW fish there needs to be enough benificial bacteria in your tank to sustain your fish and corals. If you look at my posts, you'll see the progression of my mistakes and questions and answers from the wonderful 3reefers! Biggest point of advice. DONT listen to your fish guy.. COME HERE!!!!! Each and every time.. COME HERE....

 

If you have corals you want to keep the SG around 1.025. An SG of 1.021-22 is too low IMO.

 

This site is amazing, I can not believe the responce I'm getting. You guys are great!!!

My tank is about 6 months old, a saltwater tank is quite obvious a challenge, at least for me. I never worried to much about it when it was a freshwater tank. I've even thought about changing it back, but I will not give up. I only have two damsels left in my tank after many tangs, angelfish, clowns, etc.

Your help on this site is so much appreciated, I will not ask questions anyplace else.

 

Welcome to 3 reef ABPM

The PH advice of 8.3 is correct , thats your target during daytime
always test, late afternoon when the lights have been on for a long period
dont react to any test results done at night (CO2 levels are higher thus PH can drop)

Salinity 1.021 - 1.022 is often used in FOWLR tanks , but as stated above by Corailline its lower than natural sea water which is approx 1.025 ( not including the Dead Sea, obviously)

many newcomers to the hobby have similar experiences to you
buying fish in rapid succession , for a tank thats not yet fully mature, results in the fish not surviving long

the natural instinct of people who want a stocked tank, is to go out and replace the fish that has just passed away , but until you know what the cause of death of these fish is, you dont want to be adding any new fish at all IMO

if it where my tank, I would let it sit 4 weeks whilst researching fish that are suitable for housing in the 46 gallon and then add 1 fish (OK 2 if its clown fish) every other week, until you reach your stocking target which is about 10 inches of fish (allow for adult size not the size you buy them at)


Steve

 

Thanks Steve...

My tank is 6 months old, I would think it is mature by this time, but how do you tell?

Also, you are probably right about adding fish to quickly when 1 or 2 die. I admit guilt to that.

When my fish die most of the time there behind rocks, and I never see then again so I don't know the cause of death, and wouldn't know how to check anyway.

Drew stated above that I cannot keep tangs, or angels in my 46 gallon tank, why is that?

I love my live rocks, and corals in my tank, the problem is trying to keep colorful fish.

Any help from you or anybody is greatly appreciated!

 

Your tank is to small to keep tangs or angels. You can keep dwarf angels though. You know if it's mature if you can test the water. Buy a API test kit and go test your water. Your damsels are still alive because they are hardy, die hard fish.

 

Hello and welcome to 3reef .... I think steve coverd it well,