First Fish in the New Tank

new_reef_friend · 12/04/2016, 12:27 PM

Hello everyone,

I have had my tank running and cycling since September. I had been taking my water to the LFS to get the water quality tested and it has finally checked out. I used some bacteria to help lower the nitrites. My tank is about 55 gallons, I have a HOB protein skimmer, two 850 gallon power heads, a marine land LED light, and only 1 heater (my other one broke, I will be replacing it).

Yesterday I bought my first fish and invertebrates. I bought three cardinals, 5 bumblebee snails, 5 sand sifting snails, 3 red legged hermit crabs, and a coral banded shrimp. The 3 cardinals are all hanging out together at the back of the tank, the coral banded shrimp looks like he has claimed a tunnel, and the hermits have been roaming around. This sounds like a positive. Some of the snails have moved or disappeared, some of them haven't moved at all.

Is there anything I should be keeping in mind or focusing on over the next few days/ weeks with my new tank creatures? I plan on doing a 10% water change next week.

Thanks for any help and advice!

reefkeeper2002 · 12/04/2016, 06:21 PM

even though you "cycled" the tank, the system needs time to adjust for each new organism/animal added to the tank. And you added 17 new critters all at once Lol. you might need to get some Biospira or another Bacteria culture starter to keep up with the nitrogen cycle. Also turn the lights down if the fish seem scared, good luck

anthonys51 · 12/04/2016, 07:59 PM

you should be fine with what you added, carbs and snails dont make as much waste as fish. plus the more waste comes from us, in the form of feeding. just dont over feed. also i always feed frozen food. its easier to drop a few mysit shrimps in, watch them eat it and drop some more. then put rest of it in frig until next feeding. flake food is packed with nurtients, lot easier to over feed. after few months if you want to start feeding a few flakses or pellets here and there is cool. but imo go with frozen,

shifty51008 · 12/04/2016, 08:17 PM

I agree you will be fine with what you added, the fish is pretty much the only thing that will raise your bio load.

how much rock do you have in the tank? any pics?

I would also suggest you buying your own set of test kits for your own piece of mind and for emergancies where the LFS is closed.

tanksfishtank · 12/04/2016, 08:41 PM

I think your good. CUC don't produce nearly as much waste as fish. Keep an eye on levels and do water changes accordingly.

bill120reef · 12/05/2016, 07:25 PM

2 things on snails, first, you can never really tell how healthy they are when you buy them,
second, mine always slow down on quick alk changes or low alk.
Did you acclimate them to your water?

Dealseer · 12/05/2016, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefkeeper2002

even though you "cycled" the tank, the system needs time to adjust for each new organism/animal added to the tank. And you added 17 new critters all at once Lol. you might need to get some Biospira or another Bacteria culture starter to keep up with the nitrogen cycle. Also turn the lights down if the fish seem scared, good luck

I had to reread the OP when I saw the 17 here...you are perfectly fine with what you put in.

12/04/2016, 12:27 PM	#1
new_reef_friend Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 4	First Fish in the New Tank Hello everyone, I have had my tank running and cycling since September. I had been taking my water to the LFS to get the water quality tested and it has finally checked out. I used some bacteria to help lower the nitrites. My tank is about 55 gallons, I have a HOB protein skimmer, two 850 gallon power heads, a marine land LED light, and only 1 heater (my other one broke, I will be replacing it). Yesterday I bought my first fish and invertebrates. I bought three cardinals, 5 bumblebee snails, 5 sand sifting snails, 3 red legged hermit crabs, and a coral banded shrimp. The 3 cardinals are all hanging out together at the back of the tank, the coral banded shrimp looks like he has claimed a tunnel, and the hermits have been roaming around. This sounds like a positive. Some of the snails have moved or disappeared, some of them haven't moved at all. Is there anything I should be keeping in mind or focusing on over the next few days/ weeks with my new tank creatures? I plan on doing a 10% water change next week. Thanks for any help and advice!

12/04/2016, 08:17 PM	#4
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	I agree you will be fine with what you added, the fish is pretty much the only thing that will raise your bio load. how much rock do you have in the tank? any pics? I would also suggest you buying your own set of test kits for your own piece of mind and for emergancies where the LFS is closed. __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

12/04/2016, 06:21 PM	#2
reefkeeper2002 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Santa Rosa CA Posts: 1	even though you "cycled" the tank, the system needs time to adjust for each new organism/animal added to the tank. And you added 17 new critters all at once Lol. you might need to get some Biospira or another Bacteria culture starter to keep up with the nitrogen cycle. Also turn the lights down if the fish seem scared, good luck

12/04/2016, 07:59 PM	#3
anthonys51 Registered Member. Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Kings Park, NY Posts: 2,789	you should be fine with what you added, carbs and snails dont make as much waste as fish. plus the more waste comes from us, in the form of feeding. just dont over feed. also i always feed frozen food. its easier to drop a few mysit shrimps in, watch them eat it and drop some more. then put rest of it in frig until next feeding. flake food is packed with nurtients, lot easier to over feed. after few months if you want to start feeding a few flakses or pellets here and there is cool. but imo go with frozen,

12/04/2016, 08:41 PM	#5
tanksfishtank Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Bettendorf, IA Posts: 335	I think your good. CUC don't produce nearly as much waste as fish. Keep an eye on levels and do water changes accordingly.

12/05/2016, 07:25 PM	#6
bill120reef Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 61	2 things on snails, first, you can never really tell how healthy they are when you buy them, second, mine always slow down on quick alk changes or low alk. Did you acclimate them to your water?