75 Gallon Tank - Ongoing

[SaraJames]

So.....now that I have the tank parameters figured out and know not to use RODI to replace the water I am changing. LOL

Any suggestions on what to do with a Blue Hippo Tang that has a green chromis buddy that like to pick on anything I add to the tank?

 

[SaraJames]

After much debate I added a Fluffy Dwarf Lionfish and a Hawkfish that are larger than my Blue Hippo Tang. I have a six line wrasse that I plan to add later once he has grown enough to not get eaten. Crazy thing jumped out of its refugium while I was adjusting the salt water in the QT. I think he may have suicidal thoughts because the new Lionfish was happy to see him coming.

I had a ton of trouble getting my QT to the right salinity. I was to the point of draining the whole thing and starting fresh but then decided to get some salt and mix it with the existing water. I basically used a pitcher to get the water. added a half cup of salt, mixed with a power mixer and added it back. I did this several time until everything reached around 1.021. The tank is actually a little over full right now so by the time it evaporates a bit I am hoping to sit around 1.024.

 

[Tahoe61]

Please avoid impulse buys. Collecting fish from vastly different geographical locations will not end well. You do realize that even a Dwarf Lion Fish is going to eat smaller fish such as....There's no suicidal thoughts, just pick the appropriate tank mates.

I strongly encourage more research.

 

[SaraJames]

Please avoid impulse buys. Collecting fish from vastly different geographical locations will not end well. You do realize that even a Dwarf Lion Fish is going to eat smaller fish such as....There's no suicidal thoughts, just pick the appropriate tank mates.

I strongly encourage more research.

I was joking about the suicidal thoughts. It’s a wrasse it jumps. It’s now in Qt and may stay there.

I’m aware the Lionfish will eat smaller fish which is why I had no intention of the wrasse going in the tank until it was much bigger.

What else did I do wrong?

My blue hippo tang has terrorized anything that is smaller or slower than it. I felt like my only options were to go with bigger/faster/just as aggressive fish.

 

[Tahoe61]

My blue hippo tang has terrorized anything that is smaller or slower than it. I felt like my only options were to go with bigger/faster/just as aggressive fish.

Or stop buying fish while you research the appropriate pairing of tank inhabitants.

You have a blue hippo tang in a tank that will be too small. The tang is not terrorizing smaller or slower tank inhabitants. You're putting together and choosing fish that are not compatible. It's not the fishes fault.

Sincerely want you to succeed, but this is not a disposable hobby. Researching after the fact or purchase is problematic.

 

[SaraJames]

My blue hippo tang has terrorized anything that is smaller or slower than it. I felt like my only options were to go with bigger/faster/just as aggressive fish.

Or stop buying fish while you research the appropriate pairing of tank inhabitants.

You have a blue hippo tang in a tank that will be too small. The tang is not terrorizing smaller or slower tank inhabitants. You're putting together and choosing fish that are not compatible. It's not the fishes fault.

Sincerely want you to succeed, but this is not a disposable hobby. Researching after the fact or purchase is problematic.

I understand that. Unfortunately the blue hippo tang was one of the first fish I got and the LFS told me it would be fine. Since then I have screwed up with salinity due to a water change and the BHT has taken out what I didn’t kill.

I am still I the learning phase. I’m pretty sure the green chromis is next to go but I can’t catch him without clearing and draining the tank. Last time I did that I lost a bunch.

I specifically told the LFS I didn’t want aggressive fish. It’s not my fault that I wasn’t on here prior to that. I didn’t buy irresponsibly, I sought advice from the LFS and it was wrong.

Now I know better.

While I appreciate your feedback what would be more helpful is advice on how to manage what I have.

 

[Tahoe61]

I understand that. Unfortunately the blue hippo tang was one of the first fish I got and the LFS told me it would be fine. Since then I have screwed up with salinity due to a water change and the BHT has taken out what I didn’t kill.

I am still I the learning phase. I’m pretty sure the green chromis is next to go but I can’t catch him without clearing and draining the tank. Last time I did that I lost a bunch.

I specifically told the LFS I didn’t want aggressive fish. It’s not my fault that I wasn’t on here prior to that. I didn’t buy irresponsibly, I sought advice from the LFS and it was wrong.

Now I know better.

While I appreciate your feedback what would be more helpful is advice on how to manage what I have.

The best advise I can give you is to stop buying fish.

Please continue to research potential purchases prior to buying.

There's a wealth of informative knowledge at your finger tips. A cursory search would have told you any Lion Fish type is not reef safe, but instead ideal for a tank specializing in predators.

It's a long game. Work with what you currently have, just slow down.

When I walked up hill in the snow to school we didn't have this great resource. Trust me we have all made horrible stocking choices. Know more than the person at the fish store.

 

[SaraJames]

Quick update:

Everyone seems to be happy! I am bringing my Salinity up a little every week. I've noticed my Ammonia and Nitrates are a little higher in my main tank. I think that is probably due to the increased feeding for the Lionfish. And the fact I am feeding multiple times a day. I'm going to head out tomorrow and get what I need to lower those levels.

I just installed a Octo Classic 100-HOB and so far my only issue is that it is ugly. LOL I'm probably going to work on building a rock wall to hide it.

 

[SaraJames]

Calcium is 379 and Magnesium is 1800 after a small water change. Should I do a larger water change? And how to add calcium to the tank? Things to research and decide on ....

 

[vlangel]

Sara, I use All For Reef because it has a balanced amount of alkalinity, calcium and magnesium. If you get those 3 in a good range, then only dose AFR and watch and monitor the alkalinity. That way the calcium and magnesium should both stay in balance. I have been reef keeping for a lot of years and I think this is the easiest way to keep the big 3 in balance.

The most important thing to remember is go slow. Let the reef settle into its rhythm. When you are starting out this is really hard but if you do it, it will pay off in the end.