jumped in with clown and cleanup crew

[Jord1016]

So this newb got convinced it would be ok to add my first fish and a basic cleanup crew (20 hermits / 6 snails).

The story (quoted from other thread)...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12319975#post12319975 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jord1016
I currently have two Korillia #1's... the second one which was purchased today.

Annnnd I think I did something real stupid today... I went to get the second power head and a timer for my tank light and the manager of the saltwater section at TropAqurium (Ocean, NJ) was like "soo the tanks been going for a couple of weeks with pre-cured rock... and there is no smell? .... and all the levels are ok just small reading of nitrite?... I think you need a fish in there!

So long story short there is a 1" clown I just added. Got some hermits and snails too. But I have a sickening feeling this guy wont make it and I made that mistake that impatient newb's do and rushed it.

Any advice especially what to add to lower the Nitrites would be GREATLY appreciated!!

By time, this is how they've been responding...

04/13/2008 04:33 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12320002#post12320002 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jord1016
he seems to be swimming around but hanging around my heater swimming between it and the glass??

Its odd because it really cramped in that corner... he also seems to be haning more to one side of the tank and occasionally swimming high at the surface. Ive never had this fish before so I don't know what type of behavioral things to look for.

04/13/2008 05:15 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12320239#post12320239 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jord1016
He seems to be exploring now and has made his way to the other side and back and forth countless more times... I Gave a tiny piece of flake food to see if he's eat ( I know food always makes me feel better) and he did!

The hermits are eating like fat people at a buffet and seem to be just fine.

The snails aren't doing much but hanging out. I actually had to pull a couple of them apart as they were stuck to each other.

04/13/2008 08:25 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12321353#post12321353 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jord1016
ok the hermits have roamed around the tank for the past several hours but it now seems they have all taken there spots and have stopped/slowed their eating/moving... is this good or bad? :confused:

[joem1cha3l]

So your point being...?

[Jord1016]

hahaha... point... what point?

I know nothing about what these creatures normally act like.

Over the past 5 hours they have been doing different things. I made note of these different behaviors and was hoping someone more familiar with the hobby could tell me if everything is ok.

Maybe thats my point :cool:

[joem1cha3l]

There was no negativity there...from the sounds of it your clown was acting weird and now he was acting fine so i was just confused, good look on finding info though and sorry if it came across as a deragotory comment.

[tmz]

You didn't need a fish in there with the live rock. Two weeks is too soon in my opoinion. 4 or even longer is better. Amphiprion(clownfish) are hardy. Watch your ammonia, get an ammonia alert badge or test kit. Sounds like everything is ok so far. Wiat awhile before adding anyting else and quarantine new fis for at least 4 weeks to avoikd introducing parasites and other pathenogens into you main tank.

[scram2]

everything sounds good so far dont worry about your clean up crew they will be fine just keep watch on your clown. some more info would help like how long the tank has really been running and your readings:)

[Jord1016]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12321946#post12321946 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tmz
You didn't need a fish in there with the live rock. Two weeks is too soon in my opoinion. 4 or even longer is better. Amphiprion(clownfish) are hardy. Watch your ammonia, get an ammonia alert badge or test kit. Sounds like everything is ok so far. Wiat awhile before adding anyting else and quarantine new fis for at least 4 weeks to avoikd introducing parasites and other pathenogens into you main tank.

Thanks for the responce... so far both Ammonia and Nitrate are zero with a small measure of nitrite (my only real concern).

I have a couple of extra jugs of new water standing by to do some water changes if need be.

I was also thinking of picking up some live bactiria solution to add to eat up the nitrite... any suggestions ?

[Lotus99]

I wouldn't bother with the bacteria starter. Keep an eye on the ammonia and nitrites. If they start to climb, do a water change.

Did you acclimate all the new inhabitants?

Snails and hermits will sometimes just stop and chill for a while. It shouldn't be anything to worry about. Is the clown eating yet?

[otrlynn]

In my limited experience, clowns are goofy fish. They seem to adopt one area of the tank or an object in the tank and hang around it. I'm assuming this behavior must relate to their behavior in the wild of hosting in an amemone. They also have strange, often sort of "bobbing", swimming patterns.

[Jord1016]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12322059#post12322059 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lotus99
I wouldn't bother with the bacteria starter. Keep an eye on the ammonia and nitrites. If they start to climb, do a water change.

Did you acclimate all the new inhabitants?

Snails and hermits will sometimes just stop and chill for a while. It shouldn't be anything to worry about. Is the clown eating yet?

I did the floating bag method followed by slow additions of tank water into the bag and then finally transfer into the aquarium.

Ya he ate some flake food I threw in about 2 hours in. I also bought some frozen brine shrimp but im going to wait till tomorrow to start feeding him that.

[Jord1016]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12321994#post12321994 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scram2
everything sounds good so far dont worry about your clean up crew they will be fine just keep watch on your clown. some more info would help like how long the tank has really been running and your readings:)

The tank has really been running for a little over two weeks but some additional rock was added half way through

Ph - 8.0
Salinty - in the parameters as per the salinty scale thing... haha
Ammonia - 0
Nitrate - 0
Nitrite - .25

[Jord1016]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12321994#post12321994 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scram2
everything sounds good so far dont worry about your clean up crew they will be fine just keep watch on your clown. some more info would help like how long the tank has really been running and your readings:)

The tank has really been running for a little over two weeks but some additional rock was added half way through

Current Readings:
Ph - 8.0
Salinty - in the parameters as per the salinty scale thing... haha
Ammonia - 0
Nitrate - 0
Nitrite - .25

[tmz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12322004#post12322004 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jord1016
Thanks for the responce... so far both Ammonia and Nitrate are zero with a small measure of nitrite (my only real concern).

I have a couple of extra jugs of new water standing by to do some water changes if need be.

I was also thinking of picking up some live bactiria solution to add to eat up the nitrite... any suggestions ? :) Nitrite is not toxic in marine tanks. The chlorides neutralize it. It would take an enormous amountto have any effect. The ammonia is your aonly concern at this point. Nitrate is an issue for later when you hae corals and when yur tank has finished cycling.

[tmz]

Don't add bacterial solutions.Let the tank cycle.

[Jord1016]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12322557#post12322557 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tmz
:) Nitrite is not toxic in marine tanks. The chlorides neutralize it. It would take an enormous amountto have any effect. The ammonia is your aonly concern at this point. Nitrate is an issue for later when you hae corals and when yur tank has finished cycling.

Thats great news!! Im happy that the clownfish isnt gonna die becuase im an impatient SOB.... haha

Thanks again guys! :D

[scram2]

ya just have fun with the hobby and try and be patient i know thats the worst thing about this hobby lol. Put some pics up of your tank:) and just watch your ammonia for your clowns safety.

[Jord1016]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12322927#post12322927 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scram2
ya just have fun with the hobby and try and be patient i know thats the worst thing about this hobby lol. Put some pics up of your tank:) and just watch your ammonia for your clowns safety.

here is a link to a post from yesterday with a couple of shots (prior to clown & cleanup) (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1368869)

[scram2]

looks good i like the way you set up your LR. What kind of lighting do you have on your tank?

[Lotus99]

You should know that inverts (shrimp and snails) need longer acclimation than fish. They're not able to process salt as easily as fish. Two to four hours of adding small amounts of tankwater to the bag is preferable. Even better is setting up a drip acclimation system with some airline tubing to slowly drip tankwater into a bucket with the snails.

Most fish are fine with an hour of acclimation, but better to take longer with more sensitive fish.

[Jord1016]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12323031#post12323031 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scram2
looks good i like the way you set up your LR. What kind of lighting do you have on your tank?

Eclipse 3 hood with built-in lighting... but I am already looking for some upgrades in the form of a retrofit.

You wouldnt happen to know of any would ya ?

[scram2]

nope can't help you there sorry, plus im in California i dont think i would be much help even if i did lol.:)