Newb brackish owner

Fishtanker

Fishtanker

Registered Member
Dec 12, 2005
3
0
0
55
Indiana
Hey all we're new to the site and to fish keeping.
Lost two mollies on day one after the 24 breakin.
The fish store has told us this is normal.

Here's my first question:
1.) water is begining to look a bit cloudy. Still got one fish going.

Planned fish:
Flounder (definate)
others??

29 gallon tank
gravel bottom
"Doc Wellfish" salt @ 5 percent
"Prime" water treatment
"Marineland" Penguin 200 Bio-Wheel Power filter
100 watt top mount heater
like 4 plastic plants

We would love to eventually ( like year or so later) a marine tank around 75 gallon with all the goodies.

(hoping this is the place to be...)
 
Welcome! :bday:

The reason that the mollies died is that your tank is going through a phase called the "cycle" where the ammonia cycle starts and beneficial bacteria begin to colonize.

If you are doing a Brackish tank, you CAN'T use Doc Wellfish salt. It is aquarium salt. You need marine salt, such as Instant Ocean.

For other fish, you could go with some gobies. I really like bumblebee gobies.

Good Luck!
 
Whoookay.. Im not much of a brackish guy, but I can see some issues right off the bat. First mollies are not brackishwater fish. They do best in wawter that has a high TDS, and, while the salt replicates this it is not the best thing for them. Second, No fish should Die in the first 24 hours, the store should give you a credit or a full refund unless they warned you beforehand(in which case they should take a water sample). Third, I believe Dr wellfish salt is freshwater salt(used for treating illness such as ich) and is not the same as the salt needed for a brackish setup, someone with more experience with brackish setups should confirm this before you take my word for it. Fourth, It seems as though your tank might not be cycled, you didnt mention one way or the other, but I have seen the new tank owners posts like this, and more often then not they know little about cycling.

Now if you were able to read through that whole thing and not call me some horrible name, I will commend you. I bet you asked the petstore all the right questions and weather they know it or not they gave you all the wrong answers. AS for you question of being in the right place, you definatly are. You are among some of the most passionate, knowledgable fishkeepes I have ever had the pleasure to meet. I will go get some links for you on cycling, and stuff, so look for my edit soon to come.
 
So my humble servant beat me to it, and confirmed the doc WFs salt problem

Now here
http://www.aquatic-hobbyist.com/profiles/misc/fishlesscycling.html

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59735

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26409

There is a lot to read there, but well worth the time, should you have any questions, post them. We will be happy to follow up. There is a lot to learn about this hobby, and if you are serious about it you will find a wealth of knowledge here. And Welcome to AC!!!!!! :bday:
 
So my humble servant beat me to it, and confirmed the doc WFs salt problem
Click to expand...

Yesssss...master.....i had know idea you were posting as well, otherwise i would have waited until your mightiness had posted.....forgive me! I shall beat myself! please, show mercy to me!
 
BTW, Fishtanker, after reading that last post you probably want to run away as fast as you can from the computer and never return to this site. Don't worry, if you wear an aluminum foil helmet, you will not be harmed. :rolleyes:

Not everyone on this site is as crazy as me. :)

why sumthin fishy is my masssster...
 
Last edited:
Excellent!
Definately cycling. ??? Just called the fish store and was told the same.

Another guy at the store mentioned Ocean SAlts as opposed to the one we used.
 
I seriously like the flounder, how big will it get and what can I put with it?
I like the flashy colorful fish (probably a given I know)...

So, if I change salt, what will happen?

Recommendations on test kit to use? I seen something about a floating salinity tester? :help:

How many fish then as well from Richer's post I guess the store recommendation won't quite be right?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom