adding my first fish.

Monster00101 · 02/09/2010, 02:55 PM

Hello. new to the hobbie and new to the site. i have recently set up my first marine aquarium. The question i have is am i safe to start adding fish? I have live sand and live rock. I bought the rock off a freind who had it in his tank for 8 months. the next day after putting it in my tank there was 7 small hermit crabs, about 50 small feather dusters, and a dozen or so small white snails. the third day the lights went out and there was probly 50 amphipods cruisein all over the rocks. from what i have searched im in pretty good standings i believe. the rock has been in the tank for a week and the water tests have been perfect. any help would be appreciated, i dont want to kill any fish.

TBHockey · 02/09/2010, 03:07 PM

How long has it been running with the current setup? 3days total? or 3 days with the Rock? If you just setup the tank a short time ago and then added rock, you will want to wait for a cycle, since the Rock is from a previous tank, and hopefully not much die off, you should only see a small cycle, but still i would wait a few weeks at least. Take the time to learn the ways of the Reef System, Parameters, Skimming etc...and let the tank stabilize.

Monster00101 · 02/09/2010, 03:10 PM

the water has been in the tanked for 3 weeks and the rock for a week. ive got the temp dialed in to .5 degree temp change between night and day.

Monster00101 · 02/09/2010, 03:12 PM

I also used ro water.

Monster00101 · 02/09/2010, 03:18 PM

would adding a few emerald crabs be a bad idea?

Chiefsurfer · 02/09/2010, 03:19 PM

I hope you used RO water with salt mixed in. Not trying to be smart, just making sure.

How long did it take for the rock to get from your friends tank to your tank? How did it travel, in water or dry, or wrapped in paper towels? How cold did the water and rock get?

SOUNDS like it was a VERY quick transfer. If it took less than a few hours total, was transported in buckets, and didn't drop more than a few degrees, you should probably see NO cycle, and should be ok to SLOWLY add fish. I mean 1-2 fish every 1-2 weeks. That does not mean go buy 2 5" tangs and dump them in there. That's like if you get a pair of clowns, you can put them in together. Anything other than paired fish, I would do one at a time. Also, anything that's a big poop producer/messy eater(mainly tangs and puffer fish) I would give it 2 weeks after every fish.

I would throw in like 1/3 of a small frozen raw shrimp. Test every day for 5 days. If you see no real ammonia spike, there is bacteria that is using the ammonia as fast as it can be produced, which means you can slowly add fish.

Fizz71 · 02/09/2010, 03:21 PM

If by perfect you mean 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and you're seeing small amounts of nitrates then you'll probably good to go. You may not get ANY ammonia spike if the rock was good and it didn't spend too much time in the air. If you're reading nitrates and you started with all nitrate free RO water then you might already have gone passed any new cycle if it's really been a week of 0 ammonia.

Just start slow and at the hardy end of the fish spectrum like clownfish or damsels (if you want a damsel) and go SLOW. Did I mention to go slow? Let the tank recover for a few weeks after adding each fish.

Also expect an algea bloom.

and Welcome to RC.

Chiefsurfer · 02/09/2010, 03:26 PM

oh, and as to fizz above. Depending on the size of the tank, I know that yes, hardy fish(clownfish, damsels, etc) can go first because they are hardy. ALTHOUGH, if a small tank, I would not suggest adding either first. They can both get nasty if they establish too much of the tank as theirs.

Monster00101 · 02/09/2010, 03:32 PM

the rock was out of water for mabye 3 hours. i transported it in the stryofoam containers it came in. I kept it fairly warm in the truck.i have had 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and just a hint of and less than 5.0 of nitrate. the crabs seem very happy stuffing there faces all day. i was thinking of adding a couple clowns and an anemone.

Fizz71 · 02/09/2010, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefsurfer

oh, and as to fizz above. Depending on the size of the tank, I know that yes, hardy fish(clownfish, damsels, etc) can go first because they are hardy. ALTHOUGH, if a small tank, I would not suggest adding either first. They can both get nasty if they establish too much of the tank as theirs.

That's actually why I added the "(if you want a damsel) " line but thanks for clearing it up.

Although me personally, I don't think I could ever own a tank without a clownfish..but it's just a personal preference.

Monster00101 · 02/09/2010, 03:33 PM

i have a red sea 250

Monster00101 · 02/09/2010, 03:41 PM

does adding inverts lower the limit of fish u can have in one tank? i know the 1 inch to 5 gallon rule. does that apply the crabd and corral?

TBHockey · 02/09/2010, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monster00101

does adding inverts lower the limit of fish u can have in one tank? i know the 1 inch to 5 gallon rule. does that apply the crabd and corral?

I don't know about the 1" to 5 Gallon rule, you really have to watch the bio load with all the creatures you add, you will notice you will skim a lot more as you increase the bio load. depending on the total water volume of your tank, Rock, Sand...you will want to add them slowly so you don't increase your bio load an extreme amount at one time. Also, i think adding an Anemone at this point is very early...you should wait until the tank is well established to even consider an Anemone.

Monster00101 · 02/09/2010, 04:40 PM

thanks alot i think i will reconsider the aneome and just go with the clowns. i read the "rule" in a book on starting a marine aquarium. thanks agin for the help i really appreciate it.

02/09/2010, 02:55 PM	#1
Monster00101 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: alberta Posts: 858	adding my first fish. Hello. new to the hobbie and new to the site. i have recently set up my first marine aquarium. The question i have is am i safe to start adding fish? I have live sand and live rock. I bought the rock off a freind who had it in his tank for 8 months. the next day after putting it in my tank there was 7 small hermit crabs, about 50 small feather dusters, and a dozen or so small white snails. the third day the lights went out and there was probly 50 amphipods cruisein all over the rocks. from what i have searched im in pretty good standings i believe. the rock has been in the tank for a week and the water tests have been perfect. any help would be appreciated, i dont want to kill any fish.

02/09/2010, 03:07 PM	#2
TBHockey Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New Port Richey, FL Posts: 218	How long has it been running with the current setup? 3days total? or 3 days with the Rock? If you just setup the tank a short time ago and then added rock, you will want to wait for a cycle, since the Rock is from a previous tank, and hopefully not much die off, you should only see a small cycle, but still i would wait a few weeks at least. Take the time to learn the ways of the Reef System, Parameters, Skimming etc...and let the tank stabilize. __________________ Stephen Current Tank Info: 210 Reef Tank w 40Gallon Sump

02/09/2010, 03:19 PM	#6
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	I hope you used RO water with salt mixed in. Not trying to be smart, just making sure. How long did it take for the rock to get from your friends tank to your tank? How did it travel, in water or dry, or wrapped in paper towels? How cold did the water and rock get? SOUNDS like it was a VERY quick transfer. If it took less than a few hours total, was transported in buckets, and didn't drop more than a few degrees, you should probably see NO cycle, and should be ok to SLOWLY add fish. I mean 1-2 fish every 1-2 weeks. That does not mean go buy 2 5" tangs and dump them in there. That's like if you get a pair of clowns, you can put them in together. Anything other than paired fish, I would do one at a time. Also, anything that's a big poop producer/messy eater(mainly tangs and puffer fish) I would give it 2 weeks after every fish. I would throw in like 1/3 of a small frozen raw shrimp. Test every day for 5 days. If you see no real ammonia spike, there is bacteria that is using the ammonia as fast as it can be produced, which means you can slowly add fish. __________________ Chief Current Tank: 20 Gallon tall, 4-bulb t5 HO, Eshopps psk75H, ac-70 fuge. So far, green clown goby, striped goby, more gorillas than I wish I had, 5 SPS frags, 3 LPS Frags, 1 Softee, Turkey Wing Clam. Plan for the future: 120 gallon 4ft glass tank. Current Tank Info: 20 gallon tall Reef Tank

02/09/2010, 03:26 PM	#8
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	oh, and as to fizz above. Depending on the size of the tank, I know that yes, hardy fish(clownfish, damsels, etc) can go first because they are hardy. ALTHOUGH, if a small tank, I would not suggest adding either first. They can both get nasty if they establish too much of the tank as theirs. __________________ Chief Current Tank: 20 Gallon tall, 4-bulb t5 HO, Eshopps psk75H, ac-70 fuge. So far, green clown goby, striped goby, more gorillas than I wish I had, 5 SPS frags, 3 LPS Frags, 1 Softee, Turkey Wing Clam. Plan for the future: 120 gallon 4ft glass tank. Current Tank Info: 20 gallon tall Reef Tank

02/09/2010, 03:10 PM	#3
Monster00101 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: alberta Posts: 858	the water has been in the tanked for 3 weeks and the rock for a week. ive got the temp dialed in to .5 degree temp change between night and day.

02/09/2010, 03:12 PM	#4
Monster00101 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: alberta Posts: 858	I also used ro water.

02/09/2010, 03:18 PM	#5
Monster00101 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: alberta Posts: 858	would adding a few emerald crabs be a bad idea?

02/09/2010, 03:21 PM	#7
Fizz71 FragSwapper Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Lawn, PA Posts: 5,800	If by perfect you mean 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and you're seeing small amounts of nitrates then you'll probably good to go. You may not get ANY ammonia spike if the rock was good and it didn't spend too much time in the air. If you're reading nitrates and you started with all nitrate free RO water then you might already have gone passed any new cycle if it's really been a week of 0 ammonia. Just start slow and at the hardy end of the fish spectrum like clownfish or damsels (if you want a damsel) and go SLOW. Did I mention to go slow? Let the tank recover for a few weeks after adding each fish. Also expect an algea bloom. and Welcome to RC.

02/09/2010, 03:32 PM	#9
Monster00101 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: alberta Posts: 858	the rock was out of water for mabye 3 hours. i transported it in the stryofoam containers it came in. I kept it fairly warm in the truck.i have had 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and just a hint of and less than 5.0 of nitrate. the crabs seem very happy stuffing there faces all day. i was thinking of adding a couple clowns and an anemone.

02/09/2010, 03:33 PM	#11
Monster00101 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: alberta Posts: 858	i have a red sea 250

02/09/2010, 03:41 PM	#12
Monster00101 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: alberta Posts: 858	does adding inverts lower the limit of fish u can have in one tank? i know the 1 inch to 5 gallon rule. does that apply the crabd and corral?

02/09/2010, 04:40 PM	#14
Monster00101 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: alberta Posts: 858	thanks alot i think i will reconsider the aneome and just go with the clowns. i read the "rule" in a book on starting a marine aquarium. thanks agin for the help i really appreciate it.