Newbie few months in! New Corals and Fish HELP! :)

Hello EVERYONE! I posted a few months ago and got some greaaaatttt feedback! I have now populated my tank.. I put pictues below.. I hope they come out and everyone can see them! I had one starfish die (his leg disintigrated completely. One of the smaller sponges turned white and was removed as well (while the larger RED sponge is flourishing) I did a 20% water change before I added anyone. I still dont have the proper equipment except for the light! I need a good suggestion for a hang on protein skimmer for a 30 gallon! Currently all I have in the tank is my carbon filter, heater, powerhead and light. (if someone knows a good brand of protein skimmer and one that will work properly for my tank, id appreciate it)

I was told that for my tank it may not be neccesary from the LFS but, I dont believe that to be true from what I have read here.

Also, is topping of my tank with DISTILLED water ok or does it absolutely have to be RO?

Since I have been leaving the lights on for 7 hours or so a day, theres a bit of green alge on my glass (a friend suggested I not clean it off the glass for proper bacteria) but, I am not sure if thats true either... My sponge seems to be getting it as well! (anything I can do for that)

My tank currently has Xenias, 2 long black gobys (the diamond goby jump ship)-a small round coral group (not sure of the name) ONE SPONGE (the other one died, a blue starfish and a bottom dwelling starfish, a red and white stripped what I believe to be crab) a sail fish, another blue fish with orange bottom fins and red in the body (not sure its species)1 brain coral and TWO tube worms!
(I gave up my seahorse dream for now) :

Everyone seems to be adjusting well and happy (for now)

I am feeding them all a cube of brine once a week! (is that right)

How often should I change the filter (lfs said once a month) (same LFS who told me a skimmer would create too many bubblesin my tank and would be uneccesary!)


Is there something else I should be feeding... someone told me mysis instead!

I am going to stop adding things to the tank for another month!

Thank you so much for reading and always being so helpful!

 

I may not have understood you correctly. You're only feeding once a week?

 

YES, that is what the LFS told me?

 

I feed all my fish daily. What kind of filter do you have and how long has the tank been set up?

 

You need to feed more often. Not sure why your LFS would tell you that? I feed my fish and corals daily. On another note, your tank is looking great.

 

First bit of advice is to look for another LFS. stop doing business there. JMPO.

 

Yes, new LFS immediately! He said because I only had one fish and two gobys (2 fish now) that it would spike my nitrates...

Is there something beside brine I should be feeding.. I currently have a carbon filter.....
My tank has been set up for MONTHS! pehaps 3-4 I had NOTHING in there until recently- 3 weeks ago...

 

I agree. I just read in your other post they sold you a flame scallop when your tank was not yet cycled. I'm sure they were well aware it was going to die but they wanted your money anyway. They clearly won't give truthful advice just so they can make an extra buck.

 

Feed at least every 2 days minimum. Not heavy but a little. IMPO skimmers are a necessity. I have a LFS that just started dealing in SW. I went there today and the tanks looked like crap. I asked what happened and the guy said they hooked the hose up and sprayed the water in the sump. I looked at the sump and it was filled to the top. I asked him about the SG. he looked at me like I was stupid. I walked out.

 

You are going to have to feed at least daily especially with the sailfiin.

How large is the tank?

Cleaning the glass will not affect the bacteria so I would not worry about that.

One must be very careful when taking advice from the LFS, the advice needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Asking questions here first before purchase will help prevent wasted money and frustration when livestock dies.

Fish need a varity of foods, it should consist of some type of marine algae or seaweed. I would buy some quality pellets, some nori and change up the diet every couple days.

Getting a skimmer for the tank should not be a problem, just depends on the tank and how many gallons it is. I have never heard that it creates too many bubbles before, it just has to be used correctly.

Like the look of the black sand. ;D