New Reefer from Down Under

[Sinkers]

Hey everyone, great to be a part of the community.

I am new to reefing. Currently I am cycling my tank using Aquarium Systems Start Your Tank by Dr Tim.

I have a couple of questions if anyone is able to help.

I've noticed there are some stains on the inside of the glass of my new tank. Just wondering what would be safe to use to clean these off while the tank is full? It's just like white smudging. I did wipe it down with paper towels before filling it but until there was water in it I couldn't really see any marks.

Also I have one clownfish in the tank. When feeding him a few pellets I notice they just sink or get past him. Would you just leave it and hopefully he finds them in the sand? Or should I switch to flakes, something that will float for longer give him a chance to see it.

 

[revhtree]

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

 

[Crabs McJones]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[Brisk]

Welcome!

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[cdemoss01]

Hey everyone, great to be a part of the community.

I am new to reefing. Currently I am cycling my tank using Aquarium Systems Start Your Tank by Dr Tim.

I have a couple of questions if anyone is able to help.

I've noticed there are some stains on the inside of the glass of my new tank. Just wondering what would be safe to use to clean these off while the tank is full? It's just like white smudging. I did wipe it down with paper towels before filling it but until there was water in it I couldn't really see any marks.

Also I have one clownfish in the tank. When feeding him a few pellets I notice they just sink or get past him. Would you just leave it and hopefully he finds them in the sand? Or should I switch to flakes, something that will float for longer give him a chance to see it.

Welcome to r2r! We would love to see your tank!

 

[Sinkers]

Welcome to r2r! We would love to see your tank!

Will add some pics soon. Would you happen to have any advice on the two questions in the OP? Would be greatly appreciated.

 

[cdemoss01]

Hey everyone, great to be a part of the community.

I am new to reefing. Currently I am cycling my tank using Aquarium Systems Start Your Tank by Dr Tim.

I have a couple of questions if anyone is able to help.

I've noticed there are some stains on the inside of the glass of my new tank. Just wondering what would be safe to use to clean these off while the tank is full? It's just like white smudging. I did wipe it down with paper towels before filling it but until there was water in it I couldn't really see any marks.

Also I have one clownfish in the tank. When feeding him a few pellets I notice they just sink or get past him. Would you just leave it and hopefully he finds them in the sand? Or should I switch to flakes, something that will float for longer give him a chance to see it.

Well as for white smudges I would like to see them, inside or outside? Send pictures... As for the clownfish what pellets are you using, has it eaten before? Id recommend wild goji for beginners.

 

[cdemoss01]

Will add some pics soon. Would you happen to have any advice on the two questions in the OP? Would be greatly appreciated.

Done!

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Welcome!

The clown most likely won't find them in the sand. Try feeding frozen food.

 

[Fungusamongus]

Welcome to R2R. Lots of great people and community. Ask all you need.

 

[Rbull8]

Clowns can be picky sometimes. I try to avoid as much uneatin food as possible with a new tank. Not much good bacteria to break it down. Usually will end up with a algee bloom if you have lights going. Maybe try switching food and see if you can find something he will go after. Ive never had a clown pass up mysis shrimp. Is he eating at all? If he isn't eating anything that can be a sign off distress.

 

[Sinkers]

Well as for white smudges I would like to see them, inside or outside? Send pictures... As for the clownfish what pellets are you using, has it eaten before? Id recommend wild goji for beginners.

The pellets are locally made, bought them from LFS. They were eating these while in the store as well as some frozen foods.

The first day I seen him get at least one of the pellets but this morning I dropped a few in and didn't seem to get them. They washing around a bit and down onto the sand. Wasn't sure if he would find them or if it's best to actually see him eat. Don't want to overfeed so I didn't put more in.

As for the smudges they are on the inside. It's like two lines the whole way around the tank. I've cleaned the outside.

 

[Sinkers]

Clowns can be picky sometimes. I try to avoid as much uneatin food as possible with a new tank. Not much good bacteria to break it down. Usually will end up with a algee bloom if you have lights going. Maybe try switching food and see if you can find something he will go after. Ive never had a clown pass up mysis shrimp. Is he eating at all? If he isn't eating anything that can be a sign off distress.

I've been keeping the lights off mostly. Just turned them on for pictures.

I seen he got a pellet or two the first time I fed him. This is only the second day he has been in there, he seemed to have missed today's food. It sank to the bottom pretty quick.

 

[Sinkers]

Welcome!

The clown most likely won't find them in the sand. Try feeding frozen food.

I thought it might be a bit awkward feeding a single fish with frozen as he would need such a small amount. Would you just shave off a bit of a cube?

 

[Rbull8]

The pellets are locally made, bought them from LFS. They were eating these while in the store as well as some frozen foods.

The first day I seen him get at least one of the pellets but this morning I dropped a few in and didn't seem to get them. They washing around a bit and down onto the sand. Wasn't sure if he would find them or if it's best to actually see him eat. Don't want to overfeed so I didn't put more in.

As for the smudges they are on the inside. It's like two lines the whole way around the tank. I've cleaned the outside.

Tank looks awesome! I have no idea about the smudge, hopefully someone on here might have an idea.

Definitely keep an eye on him. I would try some frozen shrimp and see what he does. Clowns are pretty hardy but the cycle processes can be stressful on them.

Only suggestion would be to leave your lights off for the first couple of months. Might help you avoid a algee bloom while you cycle your tank. I got a new tank starting now. I'm going to go 6 months no lights this time.

 

[Sinkers]

Tank looks awesome! I have no idea about the smudge, hopefully someone on here might have an idea.

Definitely keep an eye on him. I would try some frozen shrimp and see what he does. Clowns are pretty hardy but the cycle processes can be stressful on them.

Only suggestion would be to leave your lights off for the first couple of months. Might help you avoid a algee bloom while you cycle your tank. I got a new tank starting now. I'm going to go 6 months no lights this time.

Have you had pretty serious algae issues in the past while cycling? 6 months seems pretty long. Will you also not have any livestock until then?

 

[Adolfo]

 

[B&CinB.C.]

Hello and welcome to R2R . Is this a new tank or did you get it used ? Have you tried an algae scraper of any sort on the white marks ? As for the frozen food I feed nothing but. I buy it mostly in cubes and cut what I think I need off a cube , add some Selcon , thaw and feed

 

[Rbull8]

Have you had pretty serious algae issues in the past while cycling? 6 months seems pretty long. Will you also not have any livestock until then?

First tank I did I went lights on day 1 and the tank was over run and I fought it for a year. Second tank I waited 4 months and it was so much better, very little algee issues and tank thrived. This one I'm going to wait 6 months mostly because lights are expensive and I'm not rich . I got about 12 fish in tank and all my corals from the second tank (took down 2 months ago)are chilling in a qt tank until I'm ready for them. I'm using the microbactor7. Similar to the DR Tim's, these are game changers for cycling a tank.