Help! Is this ok?

[Tangwich]

So I want to learn everything the correct way hehe I just don't 100% trust that fish store

Here's a step by step order in which you should go so that you have a healthy and happy tank.

1. My thoughts on you ever stepping foot in that lfs again....I'll let Smokey tell it..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-lv8kyYrqQ




and 2. Just ask questions here and gather as much as you can as there is vast knowledge on scr. of course, don't soak up everything from just anyone either but i think that goes without saying. lol

 

[orbela]

Welcome to the hobby the beginning are always the hard and most expensive. After that it a breeze.

How long is your tank running for? How much live rock do you have? How about a tank picture!! We all love to see pictures of other tanks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[kearstin.nelson]

Ahhhh that's great! Haha ok I think I've gathered enough knowledge to get me through another week thank u very much! To show my appreciation, check out my favorite pic from my tank. I think he's content for now
Over n out

 

[Smite]

Since your using a canister filter you could try to add some matrix de-nitrate for extra filtration. Along with major water changes that should help over time.

Are you vacuuming your sand bed during water changes? It's also good to take a turkey baster or power head over the rocks to blow anything trapped off. Does your canister contain a sponge in one or more of the levels? If so clean them every week with water changes. The trap food and jacked your nitrates through the roof. Only feed as much as your fish will consume in a minute or two.

 

[OGFrenchHorn]

I've had candy's host true percs before. The clowns even laid eggs around the nem. I know its hard to take your time when you get a new tank. I still have that problem and I've been doing this for over 15 years. I would suggest to ditch the canister filter and replace it with an HOB skimmer. I had a canister filter before and if you don't keep up with it they can cause more problems than good.

 

[kearstin.nelson]

Thank you thank you I have sunk some money into it but I can afford it somewhat now which is why I'm trying to do the best I can with it! And do it right! I have a 55 gallon that's been running Lil over a year now. I have even higher nitrates in it I've been focusing more of my time on my 125 gal. I no bigger tanks are easier and I have a tm vskim800 I set up on it last month or so. All in all tank has been running since Dec. That skimmer I made for a bigger tank and I have 3 power heads.
I have 10lb sand and 20lb rock maybe....take a look at the tanks tell me what ya think...

 

[kearstin.nelson]

 

[kearstin.nelson]

 

[kearstin.nelson]

 

[kearstin.nelson]

55gal

 

[kearstin.nelson]

Algae been a bit crazy. Cleaning lil by lil till nem is ok. Right? He's only been in there 4 days now

 

[ndrwater]

Algae been a bit crazy. Cleaning lil by lil till nem is ok. Right? He's only been in there 4 days now

Yup. Little by little. Remember from an earlier post. "Nothing good happens fast" to that I will also add "Slow and steady wins the race"

Re-read everyone's posts on this thread. There is a lot of information.

I think you are well in your way to being very successful. Pix look good. Keep update pictures coming. It's also a lot of fun to be able to look back and see your progress. Makes it all worth while.

 

[kearstin.nelson]

Smite, idk what matrix de nitrate is. Is it a foam or chemical stuff?
I don't vacume my bed because, LFS told me bad gasses probably in the sand. They suggested moving my power heads to help stir which I'm doing and my leopard crabs bury themselves so often everywhere I've been hoping that's keeping it stirred a bit. I have notice the nasty goldish overfeeding ground algae where I'd put they're food so I have since changed that process.
In my canister filter I have probably 400 g of carbon 500 g of biomax and the rest of the baskets have filler foam. I do have a piece of that double filter cotton Jaz I believe under my carbon. I can't remember how I had it last. But it's set up the way fluval says. I'm thinking I have to much carbon?
My feeding have gotten much lighter!

 

[kearstin.nelson]

I've had candy's host true percs before. The clowns even laid eggs around the nem. I know its hard to take your time when you get a new tank. I still have that problem and I've been doing this for over 15 years. I would suggest to ditch the canister filter and replace it with an HOB skimmer. I had a canister filter before and if you don't keep up with it they can cause more problems than good.

Hob skimmer? I'll have to look into that. I do have a tm vskim 800 with my canister filtration.

I no its so tough! I keep forgetting how new this tank is. Feels like I've had it for years! I have bought a couple sturdy cheaper fish to watch something but now I picked up the nem and 3 more fish. Idk if you have read all the posts but my LFS doesn't seen to be the greatest. Well neither is the quality of fish sometimes. I got the nem and 3 fishys cuz they looked really heathy for the store. And I only had 3 fish 2 crabs at home in the 125

I love seeing the percs in nem! I didn't get him to be a host for anything but I'd love for a fish to love on him

 

[kearstin.nelson]

Yes yes I'm loving this journey! I've recently quit my job, trying to spend time on myself to see what I want to do with my life and found how I love this hobby much more than I'd thought. I've had a tank in the past but I was 18, first house and, ran outta propane thus I froze for a couple days along with my fishys ; ( i had an urchin and star fish I loved so I put them in a bowl and sat with them in front of an electric heater hehe needles to say I tryed my best. Again 18, broke, sold the tank ; (
Now I'm pursuing this!

 

[ndrwater]

I think your LFS is giving you bad advice. Do you have another option?

 

[kearstin.nelson]

I think your LFS is giving you bad advice. Do you have another option?

Unfortunately that's the only store around that cares with salt water fish anymore. I have a local petsmart that sells material but they probably can't help. I've been doing bunches and bunches of research myself but of course running into a bunch of conflicting views and people post things on the Internet that could be false. That's why I tried this forum stuff out hoping to get some knowledgeable advice. So far I believe I'm in the right spot.

 

[kearstin.nelson]

I think your LFS is giving you bad advice. Do you have another option?

Closes store besides that is probably a good 45 to an hour away. I didn't really want to travel so far with fish and just to ask questions grrr

 

[kearstin.nelson]

Since your using a canister filter you could try to add some matrix de-nitrate for extra filtration. Along with major water changes that should help over time.

Are you vacuuming your sand bed during water changes? It's also good to take a turkey baster or power head over the rocks to blow anything trapped off. Does your canister contain a sponge in one or more of the levels? If so clean them every week with water changes. The trap food and jacked your nitrates through the roof. Only feed as much as your fish will consume in a minute or two.

Check out comment #53,
I did get this to put in empty baskets after I remove all carbon for the new bag...

 

[kearstin.nelson]

Since your using a canister filter you could try to add some matrix de-nitrate for extra filtration. Along with major water changes that should help over time.

Are you vacuuming your sand bed during water changes? It's also good to take a turkey baster or power head over the rocks to blow anything trapped off. Does your canister contain a sponge in one or more of the levels? If so clean them every week with water changes. The trap food and jacked your nitrates through the roof. Only feed as much as your fish will consume in a minute or two.

The sand bed only looks bad in front center. Everywhere else looks new

And because of those pockets, I haven't wanted to mess to much...