Hey R2R!

[Elio_Kaji]

Hey all! I've recently got into keeping a reef tank as of about 6 months ago. Currently I have a long wristed hermit crab and a duncan coral, and sadly two snails that have passed. Any tips for an amateur like me? I'm trying my hardest not to be paranoid about everything and micromanage my tank, but with my snails' passings and my coral having two heads die off (despite my crab acting normal and just having changed the water), its hard not to feel like im doing everything wrong.

For context, I went on vacation for a couple weeks and my tank was left in the care of my family, who had the basic understanding of feeding and lighting and such. I came back and my snails were dead, and my Duncan's most mature heads were super icky (also dead, despite the healthy other heads). I could use some reassurance and advice from some of you more experienced people!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Welcome to your new home for saltwater reef aquarium resources and fun! Welcome to the family! :D

 

[zheka757]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[Fish Fan]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

 

[Reef Regeneration Verified Sponsor]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

Hey all! I've recently got into keeping a reef tank as of about 6 months ago. Currently I have a long wristed hermit crab and a duncan coral, and sadly two snails that have passed. Any tips for an amateur like me? I'm trying my hardest not to be paranoid about everything and micromanage my tank, but with my snails' passings and my coral having two heads die off (despite my crab acting normal and just having changed the water), its hard not to feel like im doing everything wrong.

For context, I went on vacation for a couple weeks and my tank was left in the care of my family, who had the basic understanding of feeding and lighting and such. I came back and my snails were dead, and my Duncan's most mature heads were super icky (also dead, despite the healthy other heads). I could use some reassurance and advice from some of you more experienced people!

Welcome to your new addiction!

Lets hear some details about the tank? I see you have a swing arm hydrometer inside the tank, I have never seen one! But they can be inaccurate due to any bubbles on the arm, I would suggest buying a refractometer and using a calibration fluid (theres a how to I just have to find it)

Also what brand tests are you using? I use salifert, red sea or hanna which tend to be the go to brand with hanna being the more accurate. It would help knowing your parameters and how you obtaining those numbers so we can assist in your recent issues. Top 2 most important being Salinity and Alkalinity. Calcium, Magnesium, Nitrate and Phosphate are the others to help guide you in the right direction!

Id suggest making a post under General Discussion or Coral Discussion for more response and help! Give as much info as possible about your tank, equipment and maintenance.

 

[BwA_TR82]

Welcome to R2R

 

[Drag80n Reef]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

 

[Buckster]

Hello and Welcome to R2R! Sorry to hear that you are having some problems. ReefQuestCorals had some good questions!

 

[B&CinB.C.]

Hello and welcome to Reef to Reef

 

[Gman83]

Welcome!

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome, glad you are here! If you haven’t, I suggest you watch BRS 52 weeks of reefing also you are going to need some additional rock in there for more surface area for the good bacteria.

 

[Peace River]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!! Most all of us have been through ups and downs with our reefs. Patience and perseverance are a part of the continued journey.

 

[1112-425XL]

 

[Brisk]

Welcome!

 

[tharbin]

Welcome to R2R! As @ReefQuestCorals said, in order for people to help you they will need to know a little more about your setup. At first glance though it does seem like you need more rock. Your primary filtration in a saltwater aquarium is biological, relying on bacteria to break down waste from ammonia to nitrite and eventually nitrate. Those bacteria live primarily on the surfaces of your rock and the top of your sand.

This is just an impression that could be very wrong but it doesn't look to me as though your tank fully cycled. I don't know why I say that but something seems off. What are your Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate readings and what test kits are you using to get those readings?

Ask lots of questions as people here will be glad to help you get there.

 

[Jimbhoy13]

Welcome to R2R and the salty world. Take things slowly. Lots of knowledgeable and helpful people here who will support and advise you when needed.

 

[Elio_Kaji]

Hey all! I've recently got into keeping a reef tank as of about 6 months ago. Currently I have a long wristed hermit crab and a duncan coral, and sadly two snails that have passed. Any tips for an amateur like me? I'm trying my hardest not to be paranoid about everything and micromanage my tank, but with my snails' passings and my coral having two heads die off (despite my crab acting normal and just having changed the water), its hard not to feel like im doing everything wrong.

For context, I went on vacation for a couple weeks and my tank was left in the care of my family, who had the basic understanding of feeding and lighting and such. I came back and my snails were dead, and my Duncan's most mature heads were super icky (also dead, despite the healthy other heads). I could use some reassurance and advice from some of you more experienced people!

Welcome to your new addiction!

Lets hear some details about the tank? I see you have a swing arm hydrometer inside the tank, I have never seen one! But they can be inaccurate due to any bubbles on the arm, I would suggest buying a refractometer and using a calibration fluid (theres a how to I just have to find it)

Also what brand tests are you using? I use salifert, red sea or hanna which tend to be the go to brand with hanna being the more accurate. It would help knowing your parameters and how you obtaining those numbers so we can assist in your recent issues. Top 2 most important being Salinity and Alkalinity. Calcium, Magnesium, Nitrate and Phosphate are the others to help guide you in the right direction!

Id suggest making a post under General Discussion or Coral Discussion for more response and help! Give as much info as possible about your tank, equipment and maintenance.

Id have to check the brand, but i use strip tests. Levels are mostly normal right now aside from the nitrates. My coral completely passed this morning, so I think the stress of the snails death (upping the nitrates) and the water change i did stressed it out too much. Really sad. :(

Ive thought about a refractometer because i dont like the swing arm hydrometer. But when testing my salinity i usually shake it/tap it or move the arm a bit to get any bubbles off.

Im kind of back to square one with my tank, just my little crab is in it now, but im monitoring him as i go.