New to the hobby and need some HELP

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by Big Josh, Dec 7, 2009.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. sailorguy

    sailorguy Torch Coral

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2009
    Messages:
    1,186
    Location:
    new jersey
    Since you do have rock in the tank some snails and hermits would be a good addition provided that none of your fish eat them.Some fish like to feed on inverts.If you can post some pics of your fish,tank,filter...ect.,folks here would be happy to offer ID's and more advise I'm sure.Welcome and good luck with the tank,Dave
     
  2. Click Here!

  3. ReefSparky

    ReefSparky Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2007
    Messages:
    3,675
    Location:
    South Florida
    Silly though it might sound, if the tank was as you found it and all is alive why start dumping money into it immediately? If the tank is not ridden with algae, slime, growth on the substrate, etc, then the bacteria is balanced with the bioload.

    If the tank is filled with damsels, then potentially they could be riding out ammonia-laden water for the time being. I would suspect, though; that the 14 or so fish, if healthy, eating, and not diseased--from your initial assessment, don't need any drastic changes to take place at this moment. Based on what little I know at this point, I'd GUESS that your tank is cycled, ammonia levels are probably absent, and the fish will be fine.

    Do a search on posting pictures, and get some to us. We'll help, but information given is based on information received. All the responses with no pictures IMO might be a bit premature. We could provide you with more valuable responses if we knew specifically what was in this tank. :)
     
    1 person likes this.
  4. Peredhil

    Peredhil Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2008
    Messages:
    5,176
    Location:
    Texas
    no disrespect to earlier posts... but I'm going to take a different route.


    Take a clean jar and get a cup or so of water from the tank. Take it to a local fish store (LFS) and have them test it for you.

    You want specific results for

    Ammonia:
    Nitrites:
    Nitrates:
    Phosphates:
    SG measured with a refractometer:

    And then tell us what those readings are and we can give advise as to whether or not you need a skimmer or anything right now.


    One of the first things you'll want to read up on is how to do these tests yourself.

    API makes a good starter "Saltwater test kit". Test strips are junk.



    Also, be aware that water evaporates from the tank. As this happens, the salt concentrations rise. You will need to top off with dechlorinated (at minimum) or RO or RO/DI (at best). In other words, fresh water.

    Also try to make sure the heaters are set so that the tank maintains a constant temp (with in a few degees) in the upper 70's or so.

    That should give you time to take a breath and be pretty safe (with the fish and your money).

    good luck.
     
  5. Big Josh

    Big Josh Plankton

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2009
    Messages:
    18
    Location:
    Oklahoma
    I will go get the water tested on thursday ( off work 4 day weekend!) Here is the list of fish that are in the tank now: 2 ocellaris clownfish, 1 blue chromis, 1 yellowtail damsel, 1 spotted cardnial, 1 gold headed goby, 1 sail fin tang, 1 green wrasse, 1 goatfish, 2 zebra goby, there are three more fish that I'm not sure what they are
     
  6. Big Josh

    Big Josh Plankton

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2009
    Messages:
    18
    Location:
    Oklahoma
    some pics of the tank and Eheim pump

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    Big Josh, Sparky here. Use the button with the mountain and sun. That's the "insert picture" button. You used the "Insert URL" button. You were close!! :)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 8, 2009
  7. ReefSparky

    ReefSparky Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2007
    Messages:
    3,675
    Location:
    South Florida
    There are not too many fish in that tank, IMO. If that sailfin tang is alive and well, your water conditions are pretty good for now.
     
  8. Click Here!

  9. Big Josh

    Big Josh Plankton

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2009
    Messages:
    18
    Location:
    Oklahoma
    okay I just copied and posted the link from my Photobucket
     
  10. Big Josh

    Big Josh Plankton

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2009
    Messages:
    18
    Location:
    Oklahoma
    Yeah they all come out when I put some frozen brine shimp in
     
  11. Big Josh

    Big Josh Plankton

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2009
    Messages:
    18
    Location:
    Oklahoma
    I had the water tested today. Here are the results:

    Ammonia 1.0-2.0ppm
    Nitrite 0ppm
    Nitrate 40ppm
    High range PH 7.6
    specific gravity 1.019

    The lady at the fish store was very helpful. I told her what the equipment I had, how many fish in the tank, what kinds of fish they are (to the best of my knowledge). She said my ammonia was high, and my PH was low. Possibly not having enough good bacteria, too many fish and maybe from just moving the tank and stirring it all up. She reccomended the following chemicals: Marine buffer(Seachem), AmQuel+(Kordon), Stability(Seachem). I bought them and added them to my tank per the instructions. She said to bring my water back in on Monday to re-test it.