Struggling, need guidance!

[silk186]

My kids and I love fish, so I went to the largest fish market in my area. I picked a tank and was told I would need to add more lights for coral. The top of the tank has a bunch of glass in an H shape (apparently, this is to stop large fish from jumping out). I had a bunch of fish, but they died from overfeeding and underfeeding. I'm now feeding fish flakes and frozen mysis shrimp. I started getting brown algae so I added shrimp, snails, and a starfish. I feed the starfish fresh shellfish. After that, my tank caught itch just as I was going on holiday. I learned how to do freshwater bath since I can't use medicine with invertebrates. I know I need live rocks and the lights are not the right ones for coral so I want to go with a FOWLR.

I bought the tank from the seller, they said someone every two weeks to maintain the tank, check levels and do a water change. They can bring any fish, chemicals, medicine, and live rocks I ask for. I've given up on adding coral to this tank. I want to practice on this tank and buy a Maxspect LS-150 if everything goes well (I learn everything I need to know and I'm keeping everything alive).

Before I start spending more money and making major changes I want to learn a lot more. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

I asked and the glass at the top can be removed to add live rocks.

My questions:
- Is the filtration system good enough for FOWLR.
- Should I drain the tank and start over?
- I've read that tanks should be cycled before adding fish, I don't think that was done.
- Since I won't be adding coral, I don't need to limit myself to coral friendly fish - what are some good starter fish that will create a good ecosystem.
- A reddit user suggested I add 1-2lb of live rock and 1-2lb of aragonite sand per gallon of water in the system and a couple circulation pumps
- Someone also suggested adding a macroalgae with a lamp in the bottom tank
- should I be adding some kind of edible moss or plants?
- I would like to improve feed, especially grazing food.

Tanks measurements: 148 cm x 38cm x 80 cm

 

[*GAREEF*]

For a fish only I’d say your set up is good.
Personally I’d remove the mechanical filtration and replace it with a skimmer and filter sock.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

My first comment is to slow down, this a very complex hobby, you need to do reading and research in advance, its a must for success. If you want to keep fish in an easy hobby, then freshwater aquariums might be better as a starting point. But starting with salt means you are starting on the more difficult end of the hobby.

The below article is a good introductory article, it will help you understand the basics.

Please don't buy any livestock until you do some reading about cycling a tank, you need test kits to track the cycle. No fish should be added until the tank is cycled. And then fish should be added slowly, just one or two per month. Its all about the bacteria, you have to give time to bacteria to grow along with the bioload.

The biggest new hobbyist mistake is to stock too quickly and overfeed. Go slow.

Research every animal before adding it to your tank, you should be a mini expert when you buy something. Most starfish have a low survival rate in aquariums.

Please google "the berlin filtration method", this will explain to you how biofiltration works on a salt tank, the rocks themselves are the biofilter, thats why rock is so important in a reef tank. Besides being the biofilter, rocks provides hiding spaces for fish which is imperative, and also provides breeding space for micro organisms.

Filtration is a huge topic, there are so many ways to filter a salt tank, I don't think you have the best set up for success.

Welcome to the hobby, but again please do the research before moving forward.

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[silk186]

Thanks, that's a great start, I didn't realize that fish are supposed to be introduced gradually.

- Skimmer and filter sock
- Cycling a tank - test kits to track the cycle
- The Berlin filtration method
- Add one or two fish per month

 

[silk186]

My first comment is to slow down, this a very complex hobby, you need to do reading and research in advance, its a must for success. If you want to keep fish in an easy hobby, then freshwater aquariums might be better as a starting point. But starting with salt means you are starting on the more difficult end of the hobby.

The below article is a good introductory article, it will help you understand the basics.

Please don't buy any livestock until you do some reading about cycling a tank, you need test kits to track the cycle. No fish should be added until the tank is cycled. And then fish should be added slowly, just one or two per month. Its all about the bacteria, you have to give time to bacteria to grow along with the bioload.

The biggest new hobbyist mistake is to stock too quickly and overfeed. Go slow.

Research every animal before adding it to your tank, you should be a mini expert when you buy something. Most starfish have a low survival rate in aquariums.

Please google "the berlin filtration method", this will explain to you how biofiltration works on a salt tank, the rocks themselves are the biofilter, thats why rock is so important in a reef tank. Besides being the biofilter, rocks provides hiding spaces for fish which is imperative, and also provides breeding space for micro organisms.

Filtration is a huge topic, there are so many ways to filter a salt tank, I don't think you have the best set up for success.

Welcome to the hobby, but again please do the research before moving forward.

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a...

www.reef2reef.com

What should I do with my tank now? Should I drain the whole tank and start over, or remove what's still alive and keep it running?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

What should I do with my tank now? Should I drain the whole tank and start over, or remove what's still alive and keep it running?

the thing is, unfortunately, your tank has disease now, so needs to be fishless for about 2.5 months for the disease to die out, or else any fish you add to the tank will likely become diseased and die. Your current fish need to be treated.

But if you can post a picture of your current tank and current fish, I'm sure folks will try to help.

 

[jabberwock]

As another said, slow down. I am not sure the seller has your best interests in mind. Maybe try and do the maintenance yourself. I highly recommend real ocean live rock if you can get it.

 

[PharmrJohn]

the thing is, unfortunately, your tank has disease now, so needs to be fishless for about 2.5 months for the disease to die out, or else any fish you add to the tank will likely become diseased and die. Your current fish need to be treated.

But if you can post a picture of your current tank and current fish, I'm sure folks will try to help.

Agreed. But the upside to this is that you'll have time to study now. Eleven months ago, I decided to get back into the hobby. I'd done this before, but it was 15 years back. So much of my knowledge base was largely outdated or forgotten. I gave myself 6 months to bring myself upto speed. I've been delayed in my quest tho, and, to me, it's a good thing. My knowledge base is improving but I've got a ways to go. Point is, there's SO MUCH to memorize I am happy with my (what's going to be) 18 month journey.

I'd highly recommend you create something to organize your information and start writing stuff down. Start with cycling and move from there. Set goals for your tank that are one year out. Again, write it all down so you may add to it, subtract from it and edit when you need.

Concerning rock, I'd suggest spending money and going with Live Rock (TBS is a good source). Don't be afraid of hitchhikers. There is more of a trend towards sterile tanks that I don't agree with. Pests, IMO, are inevitable and some are helpful to the ecosystem you ate creating. And stick with 1 to 1.25lbs per gallon. Two lbs per gallon is an outdated rule.

I agree with getting a skimmer and socks. And you've got a great tank size to start. In my old 90g, I had a sump with two socks and a pretty good skimmer. It worked well.

Concerning fish......Utilitarian fish are, to me, a must. Tangs (the smaller variety for your tank) are GREAT algae eaters. If you can reconcile form AND function, it'll make your life much easier. Get a few fish that will turn over your sand bed. Consider a file fish for aiptasia control. That sort of thing. Of the 14 fish I have planned for mine, 10 are utilitarian. Fish need to pay rent man!

That's my daily ramble. Hope it helped out somewhat.

 

[Lionfish hunter]

My kids and I love fish, so I went to the largest fish market in my area. I picked a tank and was told I would need to add more lights for coral. The top of the tank has a bunch of glass in an H shape (apparently, this is to stop large fish from jumping out). I had a bunch of fish, but they died from overfeeding and underfeeding. I'm now feeding fish flakes and frozen mysis shrimp. I started getting brown algae so I added shrimp, snails, and a starfish. I feed the starfish fresh shellfish. After that, my tank caught itch just as I was going on holiday. I learned how to do freshwater bath since I can't use medicine with invertebrates. I know I need live rocks and the lights are not the right ones for coral so I want to go with a FOWLR.

I bought the tank from the seller, they said someone every two weeks to maintain the tank, check levels and do a water change. They can bring any fish, chemicals, medicine, and live rocks I ask for. I've given up on adding coral to this tank. I want to practice on this tank and buy a Maxspect LS-150 if everything goes well (I learn everything I need to know and I'm keeping everything alive).

Before I start spending more money and making major changes I want to learn a lot more. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

I asked and the glass at the top can be removed to add live rocks.

My questions:
- Is the filtration system good enough for FOWLR.
- Should I drain the tank and start over?
- I've read that tanks should be cycled before adding fish, I don't think that was done.
- Since I won't be adding coral, I don't need to limit myself to coral friendly fish - what are some good starter fish that will create a good ecosystem.
- A reddit user suggested I add 1-2lb of live rock and 1-2lb of aragonite sand per gallon of water in the system and a couple circulation pumps
- Someone also suggested adding a macroalgae with a lamp in the bottom tank
- should I be adding some kind of edible moss or plants?
- I would like to improve feed, especially grazing food.

Tanks measurements: 148 cm x 38cm x 80 cm

Everybody says this 1-2 lbs live rock per gallon. You should do what you think looks good that accomplishes what your needs are. For fish without coral. You need enough swimming room with enough rock to give hiding spots. Adding any more rock than what you think looks good while accomplishing the needs of the fish is pointless.

 

[jabberwock]

Agreed. But the upside to this is that you'll have time to study now. Eleven months ago, I decided to get back into the hobby. I'd done this before, but it was 15 years back. So much of my knowledge base was largely outdated or forgotten. I gave myself 6 months to bring myself upto speed. I've been delayed in my quest tho, and, to me, it's a good thing. My knowledge base is improving but I've got a ways to go. Point is, there's SO MUCH to memorize I am happy with my (what's going to be) 18 month journey.

I'd highly recommend you create something to organize your information and start writing stuff down. Start with cycling and move from there. Set goals for your tank that are one year out. Again, write it all down so you may add to it, subtract from it and edit when you need.

Concerning rock, I'd suggest spending money and going with Live Rock (TBS is a good source). Don't be afraid of hitchhikers. There is more of a trend towards sterile tanks that I don't agree with. Pests, IMO, are inevitable and some are helpful to the ecosystem you ate creating. And stick with 1 to 1.25lbs per gallon. Two lbs per gallon is an outdated rule.

I agree with getting a skimmer and socks. And you've got a great tank size to start. In my old 90g, I had a sump with two socks and a pretty good skimmer. It worked well.

Concerning fish......Utilitarian fish are, to me, a must. Tangs (the smaller variety for your tank) are GREAT algae eaters. If you can reconcile form AND function, it'll make your life much easier. Get a few fish that will turn over your sand bed. Consider a file fish for aiptasia control. That sort of thing. Of the 14 fish I have planned for mine, 10 are utilitarian. Fish need to pay rent man!

That's my daily ramble. Hope it helped out somewhat.

Good advice! But I am pretty sure Tampa Bay Saltwater (TBS) is not going to ship to China. Perhaps you can find a local source for "Real Ocean Live Rock". Check my tank thread to see my journey. I wish you success and contentment.

 

[BiggestE22]

 

[BiggestE22]

Treat these animals like prized pets. This is not a plug and play hobby.

 

[jabberwock]

2 years in on this one.

 

[PharmrJohn]

Good advice! But I am pretty sure Tampa Bay Saltwater (TBS) is not going to ship to China. Perhaps you can find a local source for "Real Ocean Live Rock". Check my tank thread to see my journey. I wish you success and contentment.

Oh! I DID miss that! I'm pretty old so I still presume that 100% of my communications are within the US still. The world is much smaller now. During the 70s and 80s, really, my entire world spanned a 100 mile radius!!

 

[silk186]

the thing is, unfortunately, your tank has disease now, so needs to be fishless for about 2.5 months for the disease to die out, or else any fish you add to the tank will likely become diseased and die. Your current fish need to be treated.

But if you can post a picture of your current tank and current fish, I'm sure folks will try to help.

Thanks, that's the first thing I want to confirm.

The fourth photo down is my current tank.
1x foxface (sick)
3x blue tangs
3x shrimp
1x starfish

If I'm going Fish Only With Live Rock (FOWLR), I can remove the shrimp and starfish and add medicine to the tank.

I can get live rocks, that isn't difficult. I was concerned because of the glass structure on the top of the tank, but I confirmed that can be removed. I purchased everything from one of the largest sellers at the front of the fish market, they were the most busy. It seems that was a mistake. I will find a seller that is more helpful moving forward.

My first step is to remove the glass top, add live rocks and a skimmer.

 

[silk186]

Making progress: added live rocks and a skimmer, I moved the fish to a new smaller tank while the main guy is cycling.

Any recommendations for brushing the sand off of the rocks without knocking them over? There is a bunch of glass at the top of the tank. The seller said it could be removed, but the service guy didn't think it was safe to do so. Based on the seller's previous comments, I don't really trust him.

 

[Devaji]

my thoughts for what ever there worth...

firstly welcome to the hobby, I commend you for taking the time to learn how to keep Salt water fish. you and your kidos will love it. great bonding experience .
that said it will take time. it 's not that hard but there are things to know for sure and as you're finding out there is a learning curve,
just like any hobby or passion.

~the H on the top of the tank is probably there to brace it. the tank looks higher than wider so it prob. needed the extra bracing.

~ do you know the tank volume in gallon or litters? I think 3 X blue tangs might be to much.

~ as others have said salter water fish keeping take a lot longer than freshwater. with FW one can get a take up and running really fast with SW it just takes longer.

~ dont impulse buy fish, coral or inverts. ( we all have been there and it sucks ) research all things going into to the tank make a stocking list and stick to it. its so easy to see that cool fish spend lots of $$$ on it get it in the take and it kills your or the kids fav. fish.
that is where having a stock plan come it. know what fish will work together and order of adding the,

~ ask lots of questions and read on here and else where. you will find that as long as people are open to learning people around here are pretty nice and helpful.

~great simmer! you will like it. I believe a good skimmer is a huge step in keeping SW fish, even more so for new folks. ( yes there are other ways to filter a tank, but skimmers are an effective and pretty easy add on you your filtration.)


have fun!

 

[silk186]

- The size of the tank is about 418L / 110US g
-I'm halfway through a RedSea starter kit (reef mature) - cycling the tank
- I have two strip test kits and bought a pH and KH/ALK kit as well as a refractometer.
- what other tests do I need?
- I have a bucket of salt, what other chemicals should I stock up on?

"that is where having a stock plan come it. know what fish will work together and order of adding"

this seems smart, how do I go about doing this? Is there an app or something that will suggest which fish, how many and in what order?

 

[Devaji]

- The size of the tank is about 418L / 110US g
-I'm halfway through a RedSea starter kit (reef mature) - cycling the tank
- I have two strip test kits and bought a pH and KH/ALK kit as well as a refractometer.
- what other tests do I need?
- I have a bucket of salt, what other chemicals should I stock up on?

"that is where having a stock plan come it. know what fish will work together and order of adding"

this seems smart, how do I go about doing this? Is there an app or something that will suggest which fish, how many and in what order?

no app as far as I know, but then again I don't use reef apps at all so there might be.
best bet is look at fish sites to get an idea of what you and your family likes. mixing aggressive fish with more peaceful is harder but can be done and some times it cant. small fish may end up as food.

get a fish list and post it here we will help you out.