two weeks into the hobby! I need all the help I can get (:

fridaibarria · 07/14/2015, 02:44 PM

I have a ten gallon tank (yes, I am upgrading to a 60 gallon tank very soon!) I made the mistake to go on you tube and well I didn't let my tank cycle properly. I added the quick start bacteria and added three green chromies( which I later returned because I didn't like them in my tank), the same day. Two weeks later I have coral and a mandarin. I really want to grow a zoanthid garden but the places I've gone to seem a bit over priced. I am in need on any tips with what type of coral and fish, cleaners that are reef friendly, andddd if i should go with cad lights or read sea when upgrading to my new tank! please help

fridaibarria · 07/14/2015, 02:45 PM

i meant red *

d2mini · 07/14/2015, 02:48 PM

Take back the mandarin. They eat pods and you don't have enough to support one in your system. It will die.

Talk to john over at www.reefcleaners.org and he will set you up with a CUC.

Look at www.liveaquaria.com for fish. They tell you what's reef safe, how many gallons are required, etc. It's a great reference.

And finally, check out the newbie forum. There's some articles there that should help you out.

Mcgeezer · 07/14/2015, 02:48 PM

You need to return the mandarin, if not it will die either from starvation or the fact that your tank is still not mature. Mandarins can only survive in established tanks with significant populations of Copepods, etc....that's all they eat. They are considered a more advanced fish

Frozenguy · 07/14/2015, 02:55 PM

Yeah returning the mandarin is a must, unfortunately.

As far as tips for success:
1) Get (or build a reliable) auto top off system. I have found most success with stable conductivity. Especially with a 10 gallon, they evaporate so fast if you add lights for coral.

2) Get a fan to flow over surface of water and keep stable temp. It increases evaporation but coupled with auto top off, it leads to success.

jrp1588 · 07/14/2015, 03:28 PM

Here are my 2 tips.

1) SLOW DOWN. Take back everything and start a proper cycle.

2) While you are doing a proper cycle, READ. Comb the beginners thread daily, look up guides. Read everything you can.

kegogut · 07/14/2015, 03:35 PM

I know its been said already but return the mandarin. Its very tempting to keep them and theyre one of the most beautiful fish but as was previously stated they dont eat any prepared food and only eat live pods which even once your tank becomes established it will not be big enough to keep a large enough food source for it and it will starve to death.

gone fishin · 07/14/2015, 04:23 PM

OP is your tank cycled now? If not do not add anything else until it is. As others have mentioned the mandarin will most certainly die in your tank, returning it would be the right thing in my opinion.

Zoanthids can be pretty cheap to very pricey. If you want to know about the fish as Dennis posted live aquaria is a good source. They have a nano fish section.

The link may also help with some of your questions. It is a sticky in the new to hobby forum. Good luck

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1031074

Reefstarter2 · 07/14/2015, 04:35 PM

this hobby is all about being patient . I know its hard and there are so many great things to get and watch grow in your tank . But trust me if you take your time go slow and do it right the first time you will be much happier . You will have less loss of fish and coral , a more beautiful tank and gain so much more . Take it slow , nothing good happens fast in a reef tank . everything bad happens lightning fast

Bent · 07/14/2015, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShesEasy

Okay

For starters I hate when people say "tell us how you really feel" it's rude and unnecessary

Was anything I said wrong. Where.my points invalid?

I believe he was just trying being funny.

I agree with everything said in this thread. X1000

Take everything back, start over. Go slow.

Edit: guess not.

gone fishin · 07/14/2015, 04:41 PM

Nothing is wrong with advising someone to do some research. But do not be surprised if the post ends up edited.

joshbrookkate · 07/14/2015, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bent

i believe he was just trying being funny.

I agree with everything said in this thread. X1000

take everything back, start over. Go slow.

Edit: Guess not.

+1

slief · 07/14/2015, 07:01 PM

Weclome to the forum. It seems you are on the right track since you realize you need help. As others mentioned, you do need to slow down. As also was mentioned, that Mandarin doesn't stand much of a chance in your tank so you would be best off returning it for the fishes sake and for your pocket books sake. You really should have an established tank for a Mandarin and it takes several months or more for a tank to become truly established and stable.

If you need some help and advice, I am local to you and would be happy to help.. Most local stores are going to lead you a stray and take your money. You aren't going to get too much sound advice from a store. At least not most. I don't think you can PM me because you haven't been here long enough but if you want to talk, let me know and I will get you my contact into.

There is also a local So. Cal forum here where you could connect with others as well as monthly So. Cal Reef Club meetings where you could meet others and learn a lot in a hurry.
Here is the So. Cal section of the forum. The monthly Club meetings are posted there along with plenty of other stuff from the local members.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=50

Jrambo88 · 07/14/2015, 07:10 PM

I smell a troll....but I could be wrong.

slief · 07/14/2015, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jrambo88

I smell a troll....but I could be wrong.

Ya might be right but ya never know.. It is however reminiscent of some of the posts I see on the Salt Water Aquarium Lounge group on Facebook.. You know, the kind of posts like: "My Hippo tang and Naso are fighting in my 20 gallon 2 day old reef tank"... Boy is that a rough crowd with more than it's fair share of trolls.

mhurley · 07/14/2015, 09:37 PM

Troll or not....If one cannot get one's point across in a respectful manner, then perhaps one needs to find a new forum that fits their posting style.

.Renegade · 07/14/2015, 09:50 PM

patience is the key to this hobby nothing thats happens fast is good i learned that the hard way, but asking first is your first step

CHSUB · 07/15/2015, 09:13 AM

I don't think you can PM me because you haven't been here long enough but if you want to talk, let me know and I will get you my contact into.

this is Reef Central, not Match.com....

joshky · 07/15/2015, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHSUB

I don't think you can PM me because you haven't been here long enough but if you want to talk, let me know and I will get you my contact into.

this is Reef Central, not Match.com....

slief · 07/15/2015, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHSUB

I don't think you can PM me because you haven't been here long enough but if you want to talk, let me know and I will get you my contact into.

this is Reef Central, not Match.com....

LMAO!!! Nice one! That wasn't my intent though. More to try to connect this person with other locals and perhaps provide some sound advice.

moondoggy4 · 07/15/2015, 12:25 PM

My 2 cents Go to Petco and get a 40 breeder tank for the 1 dollar per gallon and try to find the metal stand that goes with it, probably not on sale. Do not buy any livestock. Also buy a 20 long for the sump. Make sure it fits in the stand.

Start a new thread Nemb with a 40 breeder whats next?
A 40 B is a better size and easier to work with than a 60 gallon tank

fridaibarria · 07/15/2015, 03:09 PM

im trying to either upgrade to a red sea 60 something gallons or cad lights 68 i think, however don't know which one would work to my advantage better. All that being said i really appreciate the feed back, i'm not sure if my tank has fully cycled and thanks to youtube i did go about this hobby in the wrong direction. I am feeding the mandarin daily um trigger pods and i am feeding the coral, the coral seems to be growing and the fish eats but not always. how often am i supposed to feed the coral? About returning them i dont think i can, i had a seven day guarantee that if they died i'd get new ones but i think that's as good as that gets. The person i've been going to advice with is a guy from one of the stores i've been to, he told me in the fish looks like it has a dent in his stomach that it's starving and that they usually live up to six month with out eating before dying. if i were to want to cycle my tank again how would i go about doing so? lol properly???

jrp1588 · 07/15/2015, 03:11 PM

You'll never keep up with the mandarin buying it pods. If they won't give you your money back, give it to them for free. It WILL starve.

fridaibarria · 07/15/2015, 03:13 PM

okay. what about the coral?

GilliganReef · 07/15/2015, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fridaibarria

okay. what about the coral?

What to do for cycling or how to feed them?

Feeding depending on the coral, you dont need to feed. My zoas I do not feed at all. My LPS frogspawn, hammer, favia, and duncan I feed once a week with brine shrimp/mysis shrimp. I really don't need to feed them, but since they are small frags I want quicker growth. For cycling depends, how long has your tank been running?

07/14/2015, 02:44 PM	#1
fridaibarria Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 19	two weeks into the hobby! I need all the help I can get (: I have a ten gallon tank (yes, I am upgrading to a 60 gallon tank very soon!) I made the mistake to go on you tube and well I didn't let my tank cycle properly. I added the quick start bacteria and added three green chromies( which I later returned because I didn't like them in my tank), the same day. Two weeks later I have coral and a mandarin. I really want to grow a zoanthid garden but the places I've gone to seem a bit over priced. I am in need on any tips with what type of coral and fish, cleaners that are reef friendly, andddd if i should go with cad lights or read sea when upgrading to my new tank! please help

07/14/2015, 02:48 PM	#3
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	Take back the mandarin. They eat pods and you don't have enough to support one in your system. It will die. Talk to john over at www.reefcleaners.org and he will set you up with a CUC. Look at www.liveaquaria.com for fish. They tell you what's reef safe, how many gallons are required, etc. It's a great reference. And finally, check out the newbie forum. There's some articles there that should help you out. __________________ -dennis Elos Diamond 120xl \| Elos Stand \| Radion G4 Pros \| GHL Profilux Controller \| LifeReef Skimmer \| LifeReef Sump Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M.

07/14/2015, 03:35 PM	#7
kegogut Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: St.Louis Posts: 5,052	I know its been said already but return the mandarin. Its very tempting to keep them and theyre one of the most beautiful fish but as was previously stated they dont eat any prepared food and only eat live pods which even once your tank becomes established it will not be big enough to keep a large enough food source for it and it will starve to death. __________________ Dave. "I have learned all kinds of things from my many mistakes. The one thing I never learn is to stop making them." --Nicomo Cosca. Current Tank Info: 225 mixed w/ 225 sump 550 lbs live rock,3x MarinePure ceramic blocks,Skimz SM201,Geo 618 CR,Vectra L1,DOS automatic water changes,3x 250w MH w/ 4x actinic T5,All ran by Apex thru Fusion.--57 community tank w/ OR T-247,120 nem tank.

07/14/2015, 04:23 PM	#8
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	OP is your tank cycled now? If not do not add anything else until it is. As others have mentioned the mandarin will most certainly die in your tank, returning it would be the right thing in my opinion. Zoanthids can be pretty cheap to very pricey. If you want to know about the fish as Dennis posted live aquaria is a good source. They have a nano fish section. The link may also help with some of your questions. It is a sticky in the new to hobby forum. Good luck http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1031074 __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

07/14/2015, 04:41 PM	#11
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	Nothing is wrong with advising someone to do some research. But do not be surprised if the post ends up edited. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

07/14/2015, 02:45 PM	#2
fridaibarria Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 19	i meant red *

07/14/2015, 02:48 PM	#4
Mcgeezer Reef gardener Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: DeLand, Florida Posts: 1,205	You need to return the mandarin, if not it will die either from starvation or the fact that your tank is still not mature. Mandarins can only survive in established tanks with significant populations of Copepods, etc....that's all they eat. They are considered a more advanced fish

07/14/2015, 02:55 PM	#5
Frozenguy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 226	Yeah returning the mandarin is a must, unfortunately. As far as tips for success: 1) Get (or build a reliable) auto top off system. I have found most success with stable conductivity. Especially with a 10 gallon, they evaporate so fast if you add lights for coral. 2) Get a fan to flow over surface of water and keep stable temp. It increases evaporation but coupled with auto top off, it leads to success.

07/14/2015, 03:28 PM	#6
jrp1588 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Evansville, IN Posts: 1,864	Here are my 2 tips. 1) SLOW DOWN. Take back everything and start a proper cycle. 2) While you are doing a proper cycle, READ. Comb the beginners thread daily, look up guides. Read everything you can.

07/14/2015, 04:35 PM	#9
Reefstarter2 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 295	this hobby is all about being patient . I know its hard and there are so many great things to get and watch grow in your tank . But trust me if you take your time go slow and do it right the first time you will be much happier . You will have less loss of fish and coral , a more beautiful tank and gain so much more . Take it slow , nothing good happens fast in a reef tank . everything bad happens lightning fast

07/14/2015, 07:01 PM	#13
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	Weclome to the forum. It seems you are on the right track since you realize you need help. As others mentioned, you do need to slow down. As also was mentioned, that Mandarin doesn't stand much of a chance in your tank so you would be best off returning it for the fishes sake and for your pocket books sake. You really should have an established tank for a Mandarin and it takes several months or more for a tank to become truly established and stable. If you need some help and advice, I am local to you and would be happy to help.. Most local stores are going to lead you a stray and take your money. You aren't going to get too much sound advice from a store. At least not most. I don't think you can PM me because you haven't been here long enough but if you want to talk, let me know and I will get you my contact into. There is also a local So. Cal forum here where you could connect with others as well as monthly So. Cal Reef Club meetings where you could meet others and learn a lot in a hurry. Here is the So. Cal section of the forum. The monthly Club meetings are posted there along with plenty of other stuff from the local members. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=50 __________________ Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476 Last edited by slief; 07/14/2015 at 07:07 PM.

07/14/2015, 07:10 PM	#14
Jrambo88 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Murcia' Posts: 465	I smell a troll....but I could be wrong.

07/14/2015, 09:37 PM	#16
mhurley RC Staff Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Illinois'ish Posts: 38,805	Troll or not....If one cannot get one's point across in a respectful manner, then perhaps one needs to find a new forum that fits their posting style. __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: 60G Cube

07/14/2015, 09:50 PM	#17
.Renegade Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 62	patience is the key to this hobby nothing thats happens fast is good i learned that the hard way, but asking first is your first step

07/15/2015, 09:13 AM	#18
CHSUB "Certified Hobby Expert" Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Miami, Fl Posts: 2,038	I don't think you can PM me because you haven't been here long enough but if you want to talk, let me know and I will get you my contact into. this is Reef Central, not Match.com.... __________________ Goniopora Police _________________ building a 60"x36"x30" peninsula reef...follow at "NEW TANK BUILD" on reef discussion forum! http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2110638

07/15/2015, 12:25 PM	#21
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	My 2 cents Go to Petco and get a 40 breeder tank for the 1 dollar per gallon and try to find the metal stand that goes with it, probably not on sale. Do not buy any livestock. Also buy a 20 long for the sump. Make sure it fits in the stand. Start a new thread Nemb with a 40 breeder whats next? A 40 B is a better size and easier to work with than a 60 gallon tank

07/15/2015, 03:09 PM	#22
fridaibarria Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 19	im trying to either upgrade to a red sea 60 something gallons or cad lights 68 i think, however don't know which one would work to my advantage better. All that being said i really appreciate the feed back, i'm not sure if my tank has fully cycled and thanks to youtube i did go about this hobby in the wrong direction. I am feeding the mandarin daily um trigger pods and i am feeding the coral, the coral seems to be growing and the fish eats but not always. how often am i supposed to feed the coral? About returning them i dont think i can, i had a seven day guarantee that if they died i'd get new ones but i think that's as good as that gets. The person i've been going to advice with is a guy from one of the stores i've been to, he told me in the fish looks like it has a dent in his stomach that it's starving and that they usually live up to six month with out eating before dying. if i were to want to cycle my tank again how would i go about doing so? lol properly???

07/15/2015, 03:11 PM	#23
jrp1588 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Evansville, IN Posts: 1,864	You'll never keep up with the mandarin buying it pods. If they won't give you your money back, give it to them for free. It WILL starve.

07/15/2015, 03:13 PM	#24
fridaibarria Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 19	okay. what about the coral?