Damage control needed for my first tank!

Yeah I've been using a small salinity meter they sold at the same lfs that makes the water. At first I bought a big bag of red sea marine salt and was mixing my own with distilled water but again... the lfs told me their water was just as good and easier than making my own. But I liked making my own and I'm sure its safer. Ill check out the new meter and I'm currently looking for a better lfs that can hold him until I get what he needs.

Fish are friends... and food. Omnomnom.

 

Afro, I noticed your avatar. Do you have a puffer yourself? I'm curious what kind of cleanup crew works best with them. Mine ate all the hermit crabs I put in there despite a regular (every other day) diet of frozen mysis shrimp. I'd like to get him some snails small enough to eat but can never find them. He sometimes picks at my emerald crab but left the big turbo snail alone.

Fish are friends... and food. Omnomnom.

 

I had no idea that the puffers at the fish store could be converted to saltwater, and I used to work at Petsmart. Thats why you should do your own research, and good for you for doing so. You do know you top off with fresh water right, unless your raising salinity? So far you are doing a lot better than I had expected, lol. The first tank I had I jumped into like you did and almost all my fish died. Make sure you let the new tank cycle before you put him in there. I'm supprised he made it through one cycle and I'm sure he won't make it through two. Good Luck!

And as always.... Welcome to the addiction!

 

My only attempt at a cleaning crew was a turbo snail at his size (about 2"). He started to harass it as soon as he found it so I took it back. I'm looking into upgrading and getting a refugium to try to have a way of battling algae without a sponge.

I'd be mad at him but he's one of the few green spotted puffers that isn't super territorial toward other fish so I guess I can give him credit for that.

 

Hi I have a GSP named Spot who is now in full SW for the last 9 months and have had him for 11. They need more space to swim and more water volume as they are indeed a messy fish.
You can get a tubo snail the size of a golf ball and he won't mess with it...mine eyed it then steered clear. I'm not even sure he's gone after my other snails. He hasn't touched my nerites. I also have a few dwarf & FL ceriths in my tank, so I'm thinking he lost interest in them after gooing to SW or something (he ate FW snails)...I do however see him biting sand (may be sharpening his beak) he's also a very peaceful fish and hasn't even harmed platty & molly fry when he was in the fresh/brackish water.
Reefcleaners is a good place to get a CUC and while your GSP may eventually dwindle thier numbers in the mean time they can help clean the tank...then you can order some more...or you can order a bunch and keep some in the fuge as reserve.
Good luck with your little guy they are the cutest lil' killers...LOL

This is Spot

 

Hi all, wanted to give a status update. Thanks to all your advice and more frequent water changes (nano+puffer=huge mess) ive been able to tackle a bad cyano outbreak and keep things happy.

Im going to have my water tested at a lfs and will post soon, all I have now is a tube/dropper kit I got from petco that I dont trust. If you guys can take a look at the pictures below and give any suggestions about what might be going on with my zoa that would be awesome. The polyps are getting lighter in color and not fully opening. Also theyre getting fatter in some places and thinner in others...??? They had white spots when I got them but those went away. My emerald crab is giving them a haircut so he's heading for the fuge as soon as I get one . My other ideas are that the lighting may be inadequite (running 10w ac 120v 60 hz about 10 inches above them) or there may not be enough nutrients for them?

With the improved water quality and repositioned rock to allow for more swimming space bubbleface (puffer) seems way less stressed and even poses for pictures. Cant wait to get him a 20 gal!



Fish are friends... and food. Omnomnom.

 

Good job in getting everything under control, honestly I had my doubts. Looks much better, looking forward to your tank upgrade.


;D

 

Well thank you! I had my doubts too but im rather proud. I tend to give up on most of the random projects I pick up as I lose interest but this really holds my attention. I think because its taking care of living things.

Ps I took a trip to a really good lfs imo and the owner david took the time to teach me about the proper setup. He was really informative and patient and seemed to really love what he does. The store is called Sea Side Tropical Fish in Huntington Beach on Beach blvd and Atlanta. He let me take videos. I put them on Youtube. You can search for my page under "kdskov" here are the pictures I took of the place



Fish are friends... and food. Omnomnom.

 

Looks good. I always judge the LFS by their display tanks. If they are in poor condition, well then the livestock is probably in poor condition as well.

 

The stock lighting you have wont be enough for the Zoa's. You'll need to get better lighting. T5's minimum. Also how long has the tank been running again? Corals don't do well in a cycle.