New Tank, New Fish, Blue Fish, Dead Fish

Nicoleriver · 07/08/2015, 01:19 PM

I just started a 15 gallon tank a little over a month ago, live rock and sand about 3 weeks ago and I put a chromis in last week. Then what I think are zebra crabs. (some posts say they are OK, others do not think so) The Chromi hid for a few days then came out and now is gone, no sign of him at all. The crabs are small about one inch and yesterday I found someone's foot.

All tests and salinity are good. But it this normal? Also, when can I start adding corals. I don't want to jump in, but someone is holding a few for me. They is a green yuma, pom pom and blasto moretti.

Also, what about a green rock flower?

Thanks!

nuxx · 07/08/2015, 01:26 PM

Just try a small frag and see what happens

heathlindner25 · 07/08/2015, 01:32 PM

you may not be completely cycled yet... I would wait another month. the best advice I can give anybody is to learn patience... You are building an ecosystem and it is a marathon not a sprint.
I also believe high quality test kits should come before the first piece of coral, it's hard to take care of an animal if you don't know what's going on in the water.

hotelbravo · 07/08/2015, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicoleriver

I just started a 15 gallon tank a little over a month ago, live rock and sand about 3 weeks ago and I put a chromis in last week. Then what I think are zebra crabs. (some posts say they are OK, others do not think so) The Chromi hid for a few days then came out and now is gone, no sign of him at all. The crabs are small about one inch and yesterday I found someone's foot.

All tests and salinity are good. But it this normal? Also, when can I start adding corals. I don't want to jump in, but someone is holding a few for me. They is a green yuma, pom pom and blasto moretti.

Also, what about a green rock flower?

Thanks!

first off welcome to reef central, secondly it sounds like your still cycling your tank and that could have been the death of your chromis. if it dies your crabs can clean it up pretty quickly and leave nothing behind. as for the legs some could be molts or just the exoskeleton which has been shed off to grow a new one.
when you say all tests and salinity are good we need to know the specifics. whats good to you or to your lfs (assuming they tested it) might not actually be good. so if you could get hard numbers for us they will be useful for helping just about any situation you may need help with.
numbers we usually ask for are:
Ammonia
Nitrate
Nitrite
Salinity
Tempurature
PH.
Phosphate
and sometimes things like calcium and alkalinity. maybe a few others I forgot.

Nicoleriver · 07/08/2015, 02:37 PM

Thank you!!

When you say high quality testing kits, what do you suggest?

juniorrocketdad · 07/08/2015, 03:02 PM

Red Sea makes good test kits

heathlindner25 · 07/08/2015, 03:17 PM

Red Sea Pro has a three pack of: cal,alk,and mag...
then I would suggest Salifert for No3 and po4...I think these test kits will get you actual numbers you can trust. Imo
good test kits cost a little more money up front but the Red Sea Pro has a refill package you can buy that is reasonably cheap for another 75 tests . and I just really trust Salifert for nitrate ,phosphate.

Sk8r · 07/08/2015, 07:56 PM

The chromis won't do well in a 15 gallon. I'd advise to start with inverts and then when the tank is completely stable, maybe with some soft coral, to research some of the very smallest gobies, who would be happy in a 15.

ericarenee · 07/08/2015, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sk8r

The chromis won't do well in a 15 gallon. I'd advise to start with inverts and then when the tank is completely stable, maybe with some soft coral, to research some of the very smallest gobies, who would be happy in a 15.

This is very True two of our 9 chromis about a year old have went from being 3/4 inch to nearly 4 inches and Mean as rattle snakes to each other. Only reason they do not hurt one another is the 300 plus lbs of rock. the others are all friends thou and are smaller. Kinda odd how two grew bigger when they were all the same size.

but yea op.. no more fish until you know how to take care of your water.
and then your water will take care of your TINY Fish.. always check the fish max size. you will be surprised how big some of those 1/2 inch fish will be in 4-6 months. You want calm peaceful gobies and such as stated by sk8r . she is the damsel queen of the Reef

07/08/2015, 01:19 PM	#1
Nicoleriver Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Cleveland Posts: 6	New Tank, New Fish, Blue Fish, Dead Fish I just started a 15 gallon tank a little over a month ago, live rock and sand about 3 weeks ago and I put a chromis in last week. Then what I think are zebra crabs. (some posts say they are OK, others do not think so) The Chromi hid for a few days then came out and now is gone, no sign of him at all. The crabs are small about one inch and yesterday I found someone's foot. All tests and salinity are good. But it this normal? Also, when can I start adding corals. I don't want to jump in, but someone is holding a few for me. They is a green yuma, pom pom and blasto moretti. Also, what about a green rock flower? Thanks! Last edited by Nicoleriver; 07/08/2015 at 01:25 PM.

07/08/2015, 01:26 PM	#2
nuxx RC Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 3,990	Just try a small frag and see what happens __________________ Peter TankStop - Fish and Coral 470G Display - Build Thread Current Tank Info: Retired - 470 Gallon Mixed Reef (120x29x31")

07/08/2015, 07:56 PM	#8
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	The chromis won't do well in a 15 gallon. I'd advise to start with inverts and then when the tank is completely stable, maybe with some soft coral, to research some of the very smallest gobies, who would be happy in a 15. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

07/08/2015, 01:32 PM	#3
heathlindner25 Moved On Join Date: May 2012 Location: flowery branch georgia Posts: 3,644	you may not be completely cycled yet... I would wait another month. the best advice I can give anybody is to learn patience... You are building an ecosystem and it is a marathon not a sprint. I also believe high quality test kits should come before the first piece of coral, it's hard to take care of an animal if you don't know what's going on in the water.

07/08/2015, 02:37 PM	#5
Nicoleriver Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Cleveland Posts: 6	Thank you!! When you say high quality testing kits, what do you suggest?

07/08/2015, 03:02 PM	#6
juniorrocketdad Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 733	Red Sea makes good test kits

07/08/2015, 03:17 PM	#7
heathlindner25 Moved On Join Date: May 2012 Location: flowery branch georgia Posts: 3,644	Red Sea Pro has a three pack of: cal,alk,and mag... then I would suggest Salifert for No3 and po4...I think these test kits will get you actual numbers you can trust. Imo good test kits cost a little more money up front but the Red Sea Pro has a refill package you can buy that is reasonably cheap for another 75 tests . and I just really trust Salifert for nitrate ,phosphate.