46 Gallon (4 Months) - Constructive Critisism taken well - PLEASE HELP!

[Pilotman520]

Another thing with the sump the water flowing over the baffles gets another chance for gas exchange. Though I do think the power heads you purchased will probably fix most of your troubles. Make sure you point one up at the surface to promote gas exchange.

[ca1ore]

Originally Posted by triplefishryan

one thing I've found is that everyone has a different opinion on just about everything.

Part of the reason for this is that it's difficult to pinpoint the reasons tanks fail or fish die, so folks tend to default to their favored 'universal' explanation (stray voltage being my personal favorite). One thing that I always advise folks new to the hobby is to establish early on with well meaning family members to NEVER BUY ME A FISH (or invert). It just never ends well.

While I think a skimmer is an important piece of equipment, it's not a necessity - so your LFS is correct in that regard. It's certainly possible that you had an oxygen problem, though I'd tend to doubt it with such a low fish load. That your clowns did fine for a while and then died after introducing an un-quarantined fish suggests some kind of disease. Not ich, but something like velvet that will kill fish very quickly.

Oh, and before you follow somebody's advice, ask them to show you their tank.

Any mechanical filter can become a 'nitrate factory' if the detritus is left to dissolve; it's not unique to the canister filter (which as somebody noted is essential just a reactor).

[ca1ore]

Originally Posted by triplefishryan

I am in connecticut.

Where in CT? I'm in Stamford. There are some really good stores here and an active reef club.