HELP!! Bad starting advice

[srmsmg5]

We just started our saltwater aquarium 7 days ago. I read alot first and knew we needed to mature the tank before adding fish. The "helpful" person at the pet store said no, just put in purchased sea water and you are set to go. We bought an Eclipse tank/filter system, the seawater, one yellow damsel and substrate and set up.

Things were going well, so we went back to add a few fish. Another "helpful" at the store said the seawater was not sufficient, we must have live rock, which I had read was not for a fish only tank like ours. I listened to her, brought home the rock and a clownfish, another damsel, and a yellow tang. The next day the amonium spiked terribly, which I understand is from the rock. We did a 30% water change and used an amonia treatment. It is better.

Here are the questions...Should I remove the live rock?

Our fish all seem to be staying toward the side of the tank away from the heater, rarely going to the other side, why would that be?

I am now following the instructions in a great book I have, and not taking the word of the pet store employees.

Thanks for any help you can give us.

[DEmigh]

I'm just a newbie here myself, so I'll stay out of the way while the more experienced types answer your main questions. I have observed some fish behavior related to one of your subordinate questions:


Originally posted by srmsmg5
Our fish all seem to be staying toward the side of the tank away from the heater, rarely going to the other side, why would that be?

When I first moved my clownfish (They're going on four years old now) into their new home, they had a 125 gallon, fish only aquarium to themselves. They went the better part of a year without straying more than twelve inches from the glass at one end of the tank. The water/lighting conditions in the tank were completely uniform, and there was nothing special (to my mind)about the decor at one end as opposed to the other.

I think sometimes fish just act weird. :)

This should not dissuade you, however, from continuing to ask questions about their behavior when it puzzles you, or from asking for clarification about answers that puzzle you (or seem incomplete, as this one may).

[OrionGirl]

Live rock is good for all tanks--it provide beneficial bacteria, and cover for the fish. I would not remove it, and I would add more if you can.

What are the ammonia/nitrite readings currently? Fish will usually tend to be reticent about exploring when water conditions are sub par. They also tend to stay close to hiding spots. It is possible that the heater is putting out some current, but unlikely. Look for any cracks or condensation inside the tubing.

What size tank it this?

[mogurnda]

Geez! You did get some bad advice. I'd keep the rock and get rid of some fish, if not all of them. The tank is simply not ready for that kind of load yet, regardless of how big it is. The tang will be especially unhappy during the cycling period.

By the way, how big is the tank?

[mrbigisbudgood]

Just curious, where in IL are you? If your anywhere near where I'm moving to (Macomb) at least I'll know of one LFS to not frequent.

[Gealcath]

Most LFS wont know that thier talking about and are just looking to make a quick sale, bio load was more then the bacteria could handle so the ammonia went up. In general dont always trust what you LFS tells you.

[K9Decoy]

I agree with mogurnda. The LFS (local fish store) totally snowed you on how to start a SW tank. You are much better off reading books on the subject, or forums like this. So, you've come to the right place!

I would take the fish back (if your store will take them back) and let the tank cycle with the live rock, sand, and maybe the one yellow damsel you started with. I know lots of people on this forum are against using fish to cycle, but I cycled my tank with 3 damsels, and they were so healthy at the end of the cycle, i returned them to my LFS, where they could live on, as opposed to flushing them. It was nicer to see movement in the tank while it cycled anyways. Just my humble opinion. Hope this helps a little.

[mogurnda]

If you haven't yet, I'd suggest picking up a copy of Bob Fenner's Conscientious Marine Aquarist or John Tullock's Natural Reef Aquariums. Very clear, very useful.

[srmsmg5]

Thank you for the great advice! We have since had a disaster in the tank, not caused by a natural phenomena. My son thought it would be a good idea to feed the fish a pinch of Clorox 2. I don't need to tell you that it did not turn out well. Of the 4 fish, the clown and the damsel survived, although I can't imagine why.

We replaced water, and now the tank is back to normal, all tests falling into the normal range. Now we can sort of start over correctly.

The tank is 29 gal. It has a coral substrate and a 5lb live rock, and a tufa rock. My daughter insisted on putting plastic plants in, but I am wondering if they should come out. The tank has been up and running for 2 weeks, how do I know when it is cycled? Should we have sand in it?

By the way, I am in the far west suburbs, you are safe.

Thanks for all of your help

[Gealcath]

When ammonia and nitrites test at 0 then the cycle is done and can hold fish (doesnt mean you can throw in delicate fish and inverts right away, as it can take several months after the cycle for it to be good enough for them)