Newbie Reef questions

[SeaSiren]

Hi

I am not new to the hobby just the reefkeeping aspects I have 6 tanks with a 7th on the way...most are FOWLR my 30G is hosting some soft coral frags at the moment to break me in for the Red Sea Max 250D I am getting for Christmas!!!

Wanted to ask a couple questions:

I have always used Instant Ocean in my FOWLR tanks with no problems but I have heard that with keeping a reef I should go with a different more balanced salt. I have heard Oceanic or Reef Crystals I seem to be swaying to eaither of these only because I want something as natural as possible. Just wondering what the experts have to say

Secondly I just set up my 90G and it has a ton of liverock if I had to estimate at least 80lbs but I am only keeping it as a FOWLR with my first try and Aneomes I have a bubbletip and a purple tip baby. I was given an adult Clarki clown and I already had a resident Sumatra Marroon clown (I know not a good mix) I thought I would give it a shot...the Marroon was territorial the first couple days but, did no damage and stayed on his side of the tank and the Clarki took up residence in the bubbletip it was even fun to watch her/him bring food back and feed the aneome. But, today I came home and the Clarki went rogue and chomped fins on my blue throat trigger the tail on my Harlequin Tuskfish and brutalized the marroon so for the second time in 2 days I had to rip apart my tank to get him out! He is now in a 16g with a hiding royal gramma. He is just plain nasty is this normal??? I am going to have to get a whole other tank for this guy what a pain! should I target feed the BTA with say shrimp or something now?

Okay now to the part that stinks I have a beautiful purple tang in the same tank she had been quarantined before going in shes about 2 and half inches long and on one side she has some white spots the dreded ICK...I managed to destroy all of my aquascaping and turn the tank upside down to get her out and I gave her an 8 min freshwater dip...it worked pretty good most of it fell off but there are still a few left she is not flashing or scraping but, my QT has fish in in right now do to space issues at the moment so I couldn't QT her when I had her out...and my marroon clown is a little beat up but looks like he has blister like spots on his bottom anal fins you can only see from the side..everyone else is fine and I treat my tank with Ocean Nutirtion GVH i think that is right garlic and vitamin and HUFAS supplement in their nightime feeding. The tank was up to 84 because my heater went for a few days and I replaced it last night so its now down to 80 all water parameters are spot on and the thing is I broke my tailbone transfering these fish from a 75G to the 90G and I am pretty laid up so tearing the tank apart again to catch the fish I just can't stomach it again....I was thinking of trying the herbal microbe lift herbtana I know not everyone believes in it but I have heard alot of people have had success and since its a mild case i figured I would give it a try?

Thank you for your patience with me I am long winded in person and typing...lol I welcome any and all advice. On supplements..salts...food for corals...Coral keeping will be a new venture for me and I am looking forward to it!

Thanks

[jeff@zina.com]

Originally Posted by SeaSiren

I have always used Instant Ocean...

Many reefers use that with no problems, though you may need to do some dosing or buffering. Reef Crystals is by IO and is the more reef-oriented version.

Originally Posted by SeaSiren

He is just plain nasty is this normal???

Maroons can be mean.

Originally Posted by SeaSiren

... should I target feed the BTA with say shrimp or something now?

He wouldn't mind.

For ick, you need to treat the entire tank. Stick to the proven remedies.

Jeff