I bought my first fish!

[MoeStachio]

Haven't brought it home yet, as I'm fighting an ammonia spike right now

BUT the LFS is happy to hold on to it while we push thru a cycle

Gladiator Ocellaris


Anyone have one of these?

How are they?

I picked it because I fell in love with the band pattern and its general demeanour/behaviour in the shop

Anything I should know?

(This post generated by the NEW Reef2Reef App on iOS)

 

[bluemon]

Haven't brought it home yet, as I'm fighting an ammonia spike right now

BUT the LFS is happy to hold on to it while we push thru a cycle

Gladiator Ocellaris


Anyone have one of these?

How are they?

I picked it because I fell in love with the band pattern and its general demeanour/behaviour in the shop

Anything I should know?

(This post generated by the NEW Reef2Reef App on iOS)

Congrats! and nice of the LFS to hold onto these for you.

How far are you on the cycle?

And these are the same behavior wise as regular clownfish! Very hardy as they are captive Bred, can bite you if you put your hand into the tank, etc... Nothing too out of the ordinary!

 

[Freenow54]

Haven't brought it home yet, as I'm fighting an ammonia spike right now

BUT the LFS is happy to hold on to it while we push thru a cycle

Gladiator Ocellaris


Anyone have one of these?

How are they?

I picked it because I fell in love with the band pattern and its general demeanour/behaviour in the shop

Anything I should know?

(This post generated by the NEW Reef2Reef App on iOS)

Very hardy fish will tolerate a lot

 

[MoeStachio]

Haven't brought it home yet, as I'm fighting an ammonia spike right now

BUT the LFS is happy to hold on to it while we push thru a cycle

Gladiator Ocellaris


Anyone have one of these?

How are they?

I picked it because I fell in love with the band pattern and its general demeanour/behaviour in the shop

Anything I should know?

(This post generated by the NEW Reef2Reef App on iOS)

Congrats! and nice of the LFS to hold onto these for you.

How far are you on the cycle?

And these are the same behavior wise as regular clownfish! Very hardy as they are captive Bred, can bite you if you put your hand into the tank, etc... Nothing too out of the ordinary!

Thanks!

They're great!

So I've been testing at home 2x day

We tested the water at the LFS and there's nitrates, no nitrites, but 2ppm ammonia.

It's likely just residual fish food from the cycle start (HelloReef Method) but I picked up a bioblock from their system (fully quarantined and clean) and dropped it in my overflow

Tested this morning and I'm still high, but it hadn't been 24hrs yet so I'm hopeful when I get home it's cleared out.

 

[KrisReef]

When did you add the bacteria? Your tank thread has a nice cloud on Wednesday but is clear on Thursday. If you added bacteria before Wednesday I think you should be close.

Are you using API for Ammonia? Cause they are difficult to read, and since you have nitrates your bacteria are already working. Don't add any more ammonia or flake food, go get those fishes!

 

[bluemon]

Thanks!

They're great!

So I've been testing at home 2x day

We tested the water at the LFS and there's nitrates, no nitrites, but 2ppm ammonia.

It's likely just residual fish food from the cycle start (HelloReef Method) but I picked up a bioblock from their system (fully quarantined and clean) and dropped it in my overflow

Tested this morning and I'm still high, but it hadn't been 24hrs yet so I'm hopeful when I get home it's cleared out.

Not sure exactly what the helloreef method is, but if you can still measure ammonia, I think your cycle must have just started. Does your LFS sell any live rock? For long term success of any reef, I really suggest some quality live rock

edit: I did see that you have nitrates as well so as @KrisReef said, it might be done and the test could be the problem, but it seems like your LFS did the test for you? do you have a more day to day testing result summary?

 

[MoeStachio]

When did you add the bacteria? Your tank thread has a nice cloud on Wednesday but is clear on Thursday. If you added bacteria before Wednesday I think you should be close.

Are you using API for Ammonia? Cause they are difficult to read, and since you have nitrates your bacteria are already working. Don't add any more ammonia or flake food, go get those fishes!

Added bacteria and everything Wednesday

It was the supplied Dr Tim's

However I had some suspicions about the overall quality of the bottle I got, after several days of 2ppm ammonia

So I added Brightwells QuickStart XLM as well.

It is the API test (salivary was sold out/expired or the store wasn't open when I looked) , however the LFS used the Hanna tester and it popped at 1.98ppm so atleast my API test/Eyes are ok.

 

[MoeStachio]

Thanks!

They're great!

So I've been testing at home 2x day

We tested the water at the LFS and there's nitrates, no nitrites, but 2ppm ammonia.

It's likely just residual fish food from the cycle start (HelloReef Method) but I picked up a bioblock from their system (fully quarantined and clean) and dropped it in my overflow

Tested this morning and I'm still high, but it hadn't been 24hrs yet so I'm hopeful when I get home it's cleared out.

Not sure exactly what the helloreef method is, but if you can still measure ammonia, I think your cycle must have just started. Does your LFS sell any live rock? For long term success of any reef, I really suggest some quality live rock

edit: I did see that you have nitrates as well so as @KrisReef said, it might be done and the test could be the problem, but it seems like your LFS did the test for you? do you have a more day to day testing result summary?

Yeah there's nitrates already, ammonia just testing high.

I've been testing 2x a day and logging it in Reef Bay so I can see the trend graph

I don't think they sell live rock, just dry seeded

However they sell bioblocks to help kickstart a tank, so we're trying that

 

[bluemon]

When did you add the bacteria? Your tank thread has a nice cloud on Wednesday but is clear on Thursday. If you added bacteria before Wednesday I think you should be close.

Are you using API for Ammonia? Cause they are difficult to read, and since you have nitrates your bacteria are already working. Don't add any more ammonia or flake food, go get those fishes!

Added bacteria and everything Wednesday

It was the supplied Dr Tim's

However I had some suspicions about the overall quality of the bottle I got, after several days of 2ppm ammonia

So I added Brightwells QuickStart XLM as well.

It is the API test (salivary was sold out/expired or the store wasn't open when I looked) , however the LFS used the Hanna tester and it popped at 1.98ppm so atleast my API test/Eyes are ok.

If you added them in last week, I’m thinking your cycle just started.

And the nitrates maybe die off from the media you added.

 

[MoeStachio]

When did you add the bacteria? Your tank thread has a nice cloud on Wednesday but is clear on Thursday. If you added bacteria before Wednesday I think you should be close.

Are you using API for Ammonia? Cause they are difficult to read, and since you have nitrates your bacteria are already working. Don't add any more ammonia or flake food, go get those fishes!

Added bacteria and everything Wednesday

It was the supplied Dr Tim's

However I had some suspicions about the overall quality of the bottle I got, after several days of 2ppm ammonia

So I added Brightwells QuickStart XLM as well.

It is the API test (salivary was sold out/expired or the store wasn't open when I looked) , however the LFS used the Hanna tester and it popped at 1.98ppm so atleast my API test/Eyes are ok.

If you added them in last week, I’m thinking your cycle just started.

And the nitrates maybe die off from the media you added.

Nitrates were present before I bought the bioblock (that was Sunday when I had them test it)

 

[KrisReef]

Added bacteria and everything Wednesday

It was the supplied Dr Tim's

However I had some suspicions about the overall quality of the bottle I got, after several days of 2ppm ammonia

So I added Brightwells QuickStart XLM as well.

It is the API test (salivary was sold out/expired or the store wasn't open when I looked) , however the LFS used the Hanna tester and it popped at 1.98ppm so atleast my API test/Eyes are ok.

It's actually better to wait but I never could.

 

[KrisReef]

How about a lovely contest @Reefer Matt

SOmething new to do on that phone app!


Well this got posted in the wrong thread?
Oh well, sorry for the hijack!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/j...from-dr-reefs-quarantined-fish.1113803/page-3

 

[MoeStachio]

Added bacteria and everything Wednesday

It was the supplied Dr Tim's

However I had some suspicions about the overall quality of the bottle I got, after several days of 2ppm ammonia

So I added Brightwells QuickStart XLM as well.

It is the API test (salivary was sold out/expired or the store wasn't open when I looked) , however the LFS used the Hanna tester and it popped at 1.98ppm so atleast my API test/Eyes are ok.

It's actually better to wait but I never could.

Yeah I'm having a rough go but it's the only real solution to the ammonia problem.

It'll either clear up or it won't.

Gotta trust the process.

 

[Airedale Reef]

Great clownfish! I debated between the gladiator and storm, but ultimately went with the storm. Happy with the decision, but I sure live seeing the gladiator variety! Great pattern!

I’ve always used a fishless cycle method.

“Fishless cycling is a simple process of: dosing, waiting, and testing. The number of days that it takes isn't important; simply wait until your rocks are ready for the next step before proceeding:
1. Dose ammonium chloride or another clean source of ammonia, so that total ammonia is between 1 and 2 ppm (don't overdose). If you accidentally dose too much, you can perform a water change to bring down the level of ammonia.
2. Wait for total ammonia to drop to 0.25 ppm (if the level of total ammonia goes up, your rocks weren't fully cured, which will add time to this step).
3. Repeat until your rocks/sand can process the dosed ammonia down to 0.25 ppm within 24 hours.
When finished, your tank will have a working biofilter capable of handling a typical initial bio-load”

 

[MoeStachio]

Great clownfish! I debated between the gladiator and storm, but ultimately went with the storm. Happy with the decision, but I sure live seeing the gladiator variety! Great pattern!

I’ve always used a fishless cycle method.

“Fishless cycling is a simple process of: dosing, waiting, and testing. The number of days that it takes isn't important; simply wait until your rocks are ready for the next step before proceeding:
1. Dose ammonium chloride or another clean source of ammonia, so that total ammonia is between 1 and 2 ppm (don't overdose). If you accidentally dose too much, you can perform a water change to bring down the level of ammonia.
2. Wait for total ammonia to drop to 0.25 ppm (if the level of total ammonia goes up, your rocks weren't fully cured, which will add time to this step).
3. Repeat until your rocks/sand can process the dosed ammonia down to 0.25 ppm within 24 hours.
When finished, your tank will have a working biofilter capable of handling a typical initial bio-load”

Thanks!

That's great information to have, I'm gonna save it and fish less cycle my QT when I start it so this'll help!


Yeah sadly the other varieties and morphs they have aren't gonna like being in a 15ga tank so I'm limited in my options. But the stripes/banding on this one make me stupid happy so it's the choice.

The white masked one in the background is an Orange Storm I think. Something like that, pretty fishes but bigger tank required so

 

[bluemon]

Thanks!

That's great information to have, I'm gonna save it and fish less cycle my QT when I start it so this'll help!


Yeah sadly the other varieties and morphs they have aren't gonna like being in a 15ga tank so I'm limited in my options. But the stripes/banding on this one make me stupid happy so it's the choice.

The white masked one in the background is an Orange Storm I think. Something like that, pretty fishes but bigger tank required so

Not sure who told you that but these are all CB Oscellaris Clownfish and so their care requirements (like tank size) are all the same. For a pair, something like 15-20g minimum.

 

[MoeStachio]

No luck today.

Hopefully better luck tomorrow lol

 

[MoeStachio]

Thanks!

That's great information to have, I'm gonna save it and fish less cycle my QT when I start it so this'll help!


Yeah sadly the other varieties and morphs they have aren't gonna like being in a 15ga tank so I'm limited in my options. But the stripes/banding on this one make me stupid happy so it's the choice.

The white masked one in the background is an Orange Storm I think. Something like that, pretty fishes but bigger tank required so

Not sure who told you that but these are all CB Oscellaris Clownfish and so their care requirements (like tank size) are all the same. For a pair, something like 15-20g minimum.

Interesting.

Perhaps then I'll look at the storms too.

They have a selection of the bigger clowns (6") so perhaps I have the morph wrong on the white faced one.

 

[bluemon]

Interesting.

Perhaps then I'll look at the storms too.

They have a selection of the bigger clowns (6") so perhaps I have the morph wrong on the white faced one.

That's not a morph thing.

All Oscellaris clownfish can get around that big when they are fully grown. It's just an age thing.

You'll just see a lot of the small baby ones in stores because:

1. They are the cutest
2. People like smaller / younger fish
3. It's cheaper for breeders to ship them out as young as possible.

 

[MoeStachio]

Interesting.

Perhaps then I'll look at the storms too.

They have a selection of the bigger clowns (6") so perhaps I have the morph wrong on the white faced one.

That's not a morph thing.

All Oscellaris clownfish can get around that big when they are fully grown. It's just an age thing.

You'll just see a lot of the small baby ones in stores because:

1. They are the cutest
2. People like smaller / younger fish
3. It's cheaper for breeders to ship them out as young as possible.

Oh yeah?

I'm under the impression some get to about 4-5" and other are 6"(+)


Hmmmmm