I'm sorry this is so long, I'm a bit detail oriented. If you don't care, just scroll to the bottom where my questions are located. LOL
A friend of mine was giving away her 29g saltwater set up, she'd had it for about 3 years. The inhabitants that came with it was lots of live rock, live sand, 2 clown fish, a flameback angel, a blue tuxedo urchin and a plethora of algae on the glass.
On my way from her place I stopped at the local saltwater fish store "The Shark Reef" (TSR). It was recommended that I replace the sand as it was quite smelly, so I did. I bought some marine salt since I couldn't save all the water that came with the tank and they sell RO water, as well as saltwater. I made a one time purchase of a 5g jug that can be refilled with the RO water for $0 or the saltwater for $1g (I got the saltwater this round). I also left with a hydrometer. This was Thursday. Yes, I've had it for all of 2.5 days.
I've kept various fish my entire life but this is my first saltwater tank. I've not had a tank set up in the house for about 7-8 years. Until recently I just had my goldies and koi outside. I've been interested and obsessed with the idea of having saltwater fish for quite some time. I'm in the process of saving up for a 75g complete set up from TSR but we'll worry about that later, as a lot hinges on what I'm able to learn about keeping a proper environment for these precious little inhabitants right now. One thing I've learned over the years is that no matter how much you read about a subject or Google it, the knowledge you gain by talking to a community of like-minded individuals cannot be beat. So here I am, finally posting instead of lurking.
Once I finally got home (2 hours later, it was a bit of a drive) I managed to get everything into the house by myself (husband was at work) and started cleaning up.
I had to use Google to find out what some of the equipment did, because you read about protein skimmers but until you're faced with a box of various pieces do you realize you really know NOTHING. Argh! I would have taken pictures but all but the light and heater were dismantled and put in a box before I arrived
I have what appears to be a nice heater, it's responsive and doesn't seem to heat the water up too fast. Aqueon Pro Heater. I have no idea if it's actually as nice as I think, but hey, that's why I'm here.
AquaC Remora-S protein skimmer, with an Ecoplus Submersible pump.
It also has a separate pump that I *think* is for current/movement, it's a Rio+180. I'm not real sure exactly where it would be best placed in the tank and for now it's on the left of the back of the tank about 6 inches below the surface.
The bulb on the hood of the tank was recently replaced with full spectrum lighting.
The odd habits of the residents were told to me. One being that even though the urchin is a vegetarian that he likes shrimp, too. The angel thinks it's a clownfish so hangs out with the pair. They're also tough fish, they've gone through several power outages in the dead of winter and recently a 13 hour outage. I'm sure they're pretty stressed with the move and the guy at TSR said that they're probably going die anyway. But I feel I owe them to do the best I know how.
There was a type of food that she gave me that none of them like, but she'd give it to me in case I added a fish that did. LOL I was also given some omnivore and herbivore food.
So once I got the glass mostly cleaned up, I stopped and realized I was cleaning up the urchin's buffet. I hoped that I didn't clean it up too much. I stopped by a big box store while I was out shopping today and got some Hikari brand algae tablets. It's a brand that's ok to give my koi and goldfish, so I hope it's not awful for these guys. I'm flying by the seat of my pants here! I also picked up some frozen mysis shrimp. I gave them a small cube a bit ago and everyone went crazy-banana-pants for it!
So....
Should I replace the lighting with an LED strip? I'm thinking about getting a piece of glass with a "trap door" instead. Good or bad idea?
I'm so used to having tons of filtration going on in a tank and ponds....filter, filter, filter. I feel like I'm missing something with just a protein skimmer.
I'm not made of money and I do know this is an expensive hobby. But, I also know that where there's a will there's a way and that you don't *always* have to go with "top of the line". It's all about priorities. I figure over time I'll upgrade this 29g or maybe I'll make it the hospital tank instead of my 20g that isn't doing anything right now.
Like I said, I had to replace the majority of the water and it wasn't until today that I learned I made a terrible mistake not acclimating the urchin more carefully. To be honest my biggest concern was that they were cold and in a bucket without any air bubbles, I couldn't find an air stone in my own supply box, all I had was a pump! DRAT! Getting the 4 of them out of the bucket became a priority and I know I should have been more prepared, but honestly, this all happened so fast! My original plan was to save up for my 75g, set it up with some live sand and rock and just let it cycle for 6-12 months. Maybe add a zoa or something, I dunno, but it wasn't having fish!
What else can I do to make sure I don't lose these guys or is too late, is it inevitable like the guy at TSR said?
Please...I'm in the business of saving lives (I'm a licensed vet tech) I even learned some fish medicine to keep my koi alive and I treat them when needed. The idea of these beauties dying because I'm stupid is killing me!
Thanks for any advice. I'll be around, reading ... reading... and reading some more.
Nancy
A friend of mine was giving away her 29g saltwater set up, she'd had it for about 3 years. The inhabitants that came with it was lots of live rock, live sand, 2 clown fish, a flameback angel, a blue tuxedo urchin and a plethora of algae on the glass.
On my way from her place I stopped at the local saltwater fish store "The Shark Reef" (TSR). It was recommended that I replace the sand as it was quite smelly, so I did. I bought some marine salt since I couldn't save all the water that came with the tank and they sell RO water, as well as saltwater. I made a one time purchase of a 5g jug that can be refilled with the RO water for $0 or the saltwater for $1g (I got the saltwater this round). I also left with a hydrometer. This was Thursday. Yes, I've had it for all of 2.5 days.
I've kept various fish my entire life but this is my first saltwater tank. I've not had a tank set up in the house for about 7-8 years. Until recently I just had my goldies and koi outside. I've been interested and obsessed with the idea of having saltwater fish for quite some time. I'm in the process of saving up for a 75g complete set up from TSR but we'll worry about that later, as a lot hinges on what I'm able to learn about keeping a proper environment for these precious little inhabitants right now. One thing I've learned over the years is that no matter how much you read about a subject or Google it, the knowledge you gain by talking to a community of like-minded individuals cannot be beat. So here I am, finally posting instead of lurking.
Once I finally got home (2 hours later, it was a bit of a drive) I managed to get everything into the house by myself (husband was at work) and started cleaning up.
I had to use Google to find out what some of the equipment did, because you read about protein skimmers but until you're faced with a box of various pieces do you realize you really know NOTHING. Argh! I would have taken pictures but all but the light and heater were dismantled and put in a box before I arrived
I have what appears to be a nice heater, it's responsive and doesn't seem to heat the water up too fast. Aqueon Pro Heater. I have no idea if it's actually as nice as I think, but hey, that's why I'm here.
AquaC Remora-S protein skimmer, with an Ecoplus Submersible pump.
It also has a separate pump that I *think* is for current/movement, it's a Rio+180. I'm not real sure exactly where it would be best placed in the tank and for now it's on the left of the back of the tank about 6 inches below the surface.
The bulb on the hood of the tank was recently replaced with full spectrum lighting.
The odd habits of the residents were told to me. One being that even though the urchin is a vegetarian that he likes shrimp, too. The angel thinks it's a clownfish so hangs out with the pair. They're also tough fish, they've gone through several power outages in the dead of winter and recently a 13 hour outage. I'm sure they're pretty stressed with the move and the guy at TSR said that they're probably going die anyway. But I feel I owe them to do the best I know how.
There was a type of food that she gave me that none of them like, but she'd give it to me in case I added a fish that did. LOL I was also given some omnivore and herbivore food.
So once I got the glass mostly cleaned up, I stopped and realized I was cleaning up the urchin's buffet. I hoped that I didn't clean it up too much. I stopped by a big box store while I was out shopping today and got some Hikari brand algae tablets. It's a brand that's ok to give my koi and goldfish, so I hope it's not awful for these guys. I'm flying by the seat of my pants here! I also picked up some frozen mysis shrimp. I gave them a small cube a bit ago and everyone went crazy-banana-pants for it!
So....
Should I replace the lighting with an LED strip? I'm thinking about getting a piece of glass with a "trap door" instead. Good or bad idea?
I'm so used to having tons of filtration going on in a tank and ponds....filter, filter, filter. I feel like I'm missing something with just a protein skimmer.
I'm not made of money and I do know this is an expensive hobby. But, I also know that where there's a will there's a way and that you don't *always* have to go with "top of the line". It's all about priorities. I figure over time I'll upgrade this 29g or maybe I'll make it the hospital tank instead of my 20g that isn't doing anything right now.
Like I said, I had to replace the majority of the water and it wasn't until today that I learned I made a terrible mistake not acclimating the urchin more carefully. To be honest my biggest concern was that they were cold and in a bucket without any air bubbles, I couldn't find an air stone in my own supply box, all I had was a pump! DRAT! Getting the 4 of them out of the bucket became a priority and I know I should have been more prepared, but honestly, this all happened so fast! My original plan was to save up for my 75g, set it up with some live sand and rock and just let it cycle for 6-12 months. Maybe add a zoa or something, I dunno, but it wasn't having fish!
What else can I do to make sure I don't lose these guys or is too late, is it inevitable like the guy at TSR said?
Please...I'm in the business of saving lives (I'm a licensed vet tech) I even learned some fish medicine to keep my koi alive and I treat them when needed. The idea of these beauties dying because I'm stupid is killing me!
Thanks for any advice. I'll be around, reading ... reading... and reading some more.
Nancy
