Newbie Here

JTHubbard · 01/26/2012, 09:35 AM

Hello Gang!
My name is Todd and my kids got me a new 29 Gallon BioCube for Christmas so I'm brand new to the hobbie and trying to figure it all out!

We had some trouble starting out. As we got started we were taken over by green algae due to keeping the lights on all the time. We didn't know any better but we do now. We pulled out all the rock and scrubbed it clean and cleaned the tank as good as we could and did a 20% water change. We then got everything stabilized and added the Oscellaris Clown and Lawnmower Blenny, but a week after that we lost the Blenny. Water was in good shape and the guy at the store said it sometimes happens and they don't adjust. He was great and gave me a credit as well as some discounts on future purchases.

We then started making additions to the tank with the Hammer Coral, FireFish Goby and Coral Beauty. Then this week we added the Orange Zoa and Green Monti and we found a stow away in the bag with the Green Monti...a Green Emerald Crab. We really like him!!

The Coral Beauty is very aggressive to the FireFish Goby and won't let him come out from under the rock without picking on him. So, he doesn't come out very often or for very long. I don't like that and may make some changes??

I love the hobby so far and would love any suggestions based on what we've done so far.

Thanks!!

sponger0 · 01/26/2012, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTHubbard

Hello Gang!
My name is Todd and my kids got me a new 29 Gallon BioCube for Christmas so I'm brand new to the hobbie and trying to figure it all out!

We had some trouble starting out. As we got started we were taken over by green algae due to keeping the lights on all the time. We didn't know any better but we do now. We pulled out all the rock and scrubbed it clean and cleaned the tank as good as we could and did a 20% water change. We then got everything stabilized and added the Oscellaris Clown and Lawnmower Blenny, but a week after that we lost the Blenny. Water was in good shape and the guy at the store said it sometimes happens and they don't adjust. He was great and gave me a credit as well as some discounts on future purchases.

We then started making additions to the tank with the Hammer Coral, FireFish Goby and Coral Beauty. Then this week we added the Orange Zoa and Green Monti and we found a stow away in the bag with the Green Monti...a Green Emerald Crab. We really like him!!

The Coral Beauty is very aggressive to the FireFish Goby and won't let him come out from under the rock without picking on him. So, he doesn't come out very often or for very long. I don't like that and may make some changes??

I love the hobby so far and would love any suggestions based on what we've done so far.

Thanks!!

My first observation is sounds like this may have all been done very fast being you got it for christmas as it has barely been a month. Did you let the tank cycle properly?

Firefish are very timid and shy. So keep that in mind. Also that coral beauty may find your hammer coral as a meal at some point.

And my biggest piece of advice.....patience.

Playa-1 · 01/26/2012, 10:09 AM

Welcome Todd

JTHubbard · 01/26/2012, 10:21 AM

Yes the tank had time to cycle. I actually got the tank on the 18th of December and added live sand and rock. I then didn't add any fish or coral until the January 4th with the approval of the owner of the store. I let him test my water to double check me and told him everything I had done up to that point. The tank was stable when we lost the Blenny.

Patience?? What's that?? Seriously...I understand what you're saying and you are right but it sure is hard and doesn't come natural to me.

Thanks again I really look forward to spending a lot of time on here learning as much as I can!!!

reeferstace · 01/26/2012, 10:35 AM

I think having a dwarf angel in that small of a tank is going to keep producing aggression issues. That fish should be kept in a tank larger than the one you have.

Firefish is a good choice if the tankmates are passive. Maybe you could add another clown and perhaps a small goby, ie. watchman.

sponger0 · 01/26/2012, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTHubbard

Patience?? What's that?? Seriously...I understand what you're saying and you are right but it sure is hard and doesn't come natural to me.

Ok well I was just checking on the cycling. We all have lost a purchase at some point

And I can totally relate to this comment lol. I use to be the most impatient SOB in the world. But this hobby has taught me nothing good happens fast. So you just have to learn patience. I can teach you how too. Its really easy. You ready for it?

Wait.

You still waiting?

Now you are learning patience. haha.

No seriously...I can completely relate but it is definately something helpful in this hobby to have

bucksfan1976 · 01/26/2012, 10:56 AM

Todd,

I had a 24 gallon bio and I had a dwarf angel in it for a long time and never had a issue.

However from experience and a ton of money loss the one thing you never can do wrong is research any and everything.

This hobby get WAY addictive in a period of 18 months I have gone from 24 to 65 to now im in the process of setting up a 150 gallon. Good luck and the nice thing about a biocube is that its smaller and you can learn alot of how things grown and such. Welcome to the forum and btw pics please

SecretiveFish · 01/26/2012, 11:12 AM

Welcome to the hobby!

My 2 cents, I would take the coral beauty back to the LFS. Things are not going to change between him and the firefish, and the odds are that you will lose the firefish. For the firefish's sake, either take the firefish or take the coral beauty back to the fish store.

If you decide to keep the firefish like reeferstace said, you could add a clownfish, like a True Percula or Ocellaris, a goby like a yellow watchman or an orange spotted goby (I have one of these and really like him), and one more small fish.

If you decide to keep the coral beauty, you might be able to keep a goby with him and that would be it.

Like everyone else said, Patience! Go slow... You will have more success that way and good luck!

JTHubbard · 01/26/2012, 11:15 AM

I tried to post some pics but the file size was to big. I get some up soon!

Thanks for the welcome and advice!!

sponger0 · 01/26/2012, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTHubbard

I tried to post some pics but the file size was to big. I get some up soon!

Thanks for the welcome and advice!!

Upload to photobucket and post the links here. Its much easier and better pics

JTHubbard · 01/26/2012, 11:40 AM

http://s1153.photobucket.com/albums/...=1-26-2012.jpg

sponger0 · 01/26/2012, 11:50 AM

Also if you use the image code, it will put the pic right into the thread

Sugar Magnolia · 01/26/2012, 11:57 AM

To Reef Central

I have to agree with the others the coral beauty relly isn't suitable for that size tank.

What have you got in there for clean up crew?

JTHubbard · 01/26/2012, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sponger0

Also if you use the image code, it will put the pic right into the thread

I tried that and it wouldn't take. Would the file size matter doing it that way?

sponger0 · 01/26/2012, 05:30 PM

Well looks like you got it bro. Looks good. Is that a red hammer or frogspawn?

JTHubbard · 01/28/2012, 08:59 AM

Thanks....I'm trying to figure it all out and having fun doing it. That is a Hammer. At least that is what I was told when I bought it. LOL

01/26/2012, 09:35 AM	#1
JTHubbard Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Wilkesboro NC Posts: 27	Newbie Here Hello Gang! My name is Todd and my kids got me a new 29 Gallon BioCube for Christmas so I'm brand new to the hobbie and trying to figure it all out! We had some trouble starting out. As we got started we were taken over by green algae due to keeping the lights on all the time. We didn't know any better but we do now. We pulled out all the rock and scrubbed it clean and cleaned the tank as good as we could and did a 20% water change. We then got everything stabilized and added the Oscellaris Clown and Lawnmower Blenny, but a week after that we lost the Blenny. Water was in good shape and the guy at the store said it sometimes happens and they don't adjust. He was great and gave me a credit as well as some discounts on future purchases. We then started making additions to the tank with the Hammer Coral, FireFish Goby and Coral Beauty. Then this week we added the Orange Zoa and Green Monti and we found a stow away in the bag with the Green Monti...a Green Emerald Crab. We really like him!! The Coral Beauty is very aggressive to the FireFish Goby and won't let him come out from under the rock without picking on him. So, he doesn't come out very often or for very long. I don't like that and may make some changes?? I love the hobby so far and would love any suggestions based on what we've done so far. Thanks!! __________________ Todd Hubbard Current Tank Info: BioCube29,25lbs live rock, Oscellaris Clown, FireFish, Lawnmower Blenny, 6Line, Hammer Coral, Orange Zoa, Green Monti, Yellow Colony Polyp, Duncan, Wellsophyllia, 2 Acan Lords, 2 Kenya Trees Last edited by JTHubbard; 01/26/2012 at 09:43 AM. Reason: adding signature

01/26/2012, 10:21 AM	#4
JTHubbard Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Wilkesboro NC Posts: 27	Yes the tank had time to cycle. I actually got the tank on the 18th of December and added live sand and rock. I then didn't add any fish or coral until the January 4th with the approval of the owner of the store. I let him test my water to double check me and told him everything I had done up to that point. The tank was stable when we lost the Blenny. Patience?? What's that?? Seriously...I understand what you're saying and you are right but it sure is hard and doesn't come natural to me. Thanks again I really look forward to spending a lot of time on here learning as much as I can!!! __________________ Todd Hubbard Current Tank Info: BioCube29,25lbs live rock, Oscellaris Clown, FireFish, Lawnmower Blenny, 6Line, Hammer Coral, Orange Zoa, Green Monti, Yellow Colony Polyp, Duncan, Wellsophyllia, 2 Acan Lords, 2 Kenya Trees

01/26/2012, 11:15 AM	#9
JTHubbard Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Wilkesboro NC Posts: 27	I tried to post some pics but the file size was to big. I get some up soon! Thanks for the welcome and advice!! __________________ Todd Hubbard Current Tank Info: BioCube29,25lbs live rock, Oscellaris Clown, FireFish, Lawnmower Blenny, 6Line, Hammer Coral, Orange Zoa, Green Monti, Yellow Colony Polyp, Duncan, Wellsophyllia, 2 Acan Lords, 2 Kenya Trees

01/26/2012, 11:40 AM	#11
JTHubbard Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Wilkesboro NC Posts: 27	http://s1153.photobucket.com/albums/...=1-26-2012.jpg __________________ Todd Hubbard Current Tank Info: BioCube29,25lbs live rock, Oscellaris Clown, FireFish, Lawnmower Blenny, 6Line, Hammer Coral, Orange Zoa, Green Monti, Yellow Colony Polyp, Duncan, Wellsophyllia, 2 Acan Lords, 2 Kenya Trees

01/26/2012, 11:57 AM	#13
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	*To Reef Central* I have to agree with the others the coral beauty relly isn't suitable for that size tank. What have you got in there for clean up crew? __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

01/26/2012, 10:09 AM	#3
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	Welcome Todd

01/26/2012, 10:35 AM	#5
reeferstace I'm a little people Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Over Yonder Posts: 1,392	I think having a dwarf angel in that small of a tank is going to keep producing aggression issues. That fish should be kept in a tank larger than the one you have. Firefish is a good choice if the tankmates are passive. Maybe you could add another clown and perhaps a small goby, ie. watchman.

01/26/2012, 10:56 AM	#7
bucksfan1976 Moved On Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 496	Todd, I had a 24 gallon bio and I had a dwarf angel in it for a long time and never had a issue. However from experience and a ton of money loss the one thing you never can do wrong is research any and everything. This hobby get WAY addictive in a period of 18 months I have gone from 24 to 65 to now im in the process of setting up a 150 gallon. Good luck and the nice thing about a biocube is that its smaller and you can learn alot of how things grown and such. Welcome to the forum and btw pics please

01/26/2012, 11:12 AM	#8
SecretiveFish Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: PNW Posts: 713	Welcome to the hobby! My 2 cents, I would take the coral beauty back to the LFS. Things are not going to change between him and the firefish, and the odds are that you will lose the firefish. For the firefish's sake, either take the firefish or take the coral beauty back to the fish store. If you decide to keep the firefish like reeferstace said, you could add a clownfish, like a True Percula or Ocellaris, a goby like a yellow watchman or an orange spotted goby (I have one of these and really like him), and one more small fish. If you decide to keep the coral beauty, you might be able to keep a goby with him and that would be it. Like everyone else said, Patience! Go slow... You will have more success that way and good luck!

01/26/2012, 11:50 AM	#12
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	Also if you use the image code, it will put the pic right into the thread

01/26/2012, 05:30 PM	#15
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	Well looks like you got it bro. Looks good. Is that a red hammer or frogspawn?

01/28/2012, 08:59 AM	#16
JTHubbard Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Wilkesboro NC Posts: 27	Thanks....I'm trying to figure it all out and having fun doing it. That is a Hammer. At least that is what I was told when I bought it. LOL __________________ Todd Hubbard Current Tank Info: BioCube29,25lbs live rock, Oscellaris Clown, FireFish, Lawnmower Blenny, 6Line, Hammer Coral, Orange Zoa, Green Monti, Yellow Colony Polyp, Duncan, Wellsophyllia, 2 Acan Lords, 2 Kenya Trees