New here! Frustrated & Fascinated

justjes45 · 08/08/2015, 08:59 PM

Hello everyone, I started my tank in January 2015. I started with live sand and live rock and built up from there. I had a rough start with a stowaway gorilla crab, recovered for a bit but now have lost my fish and anenome one at a time…
The closest fish store is about an hour away, and I don't have anyone close to "geek out" with.
I have done a ton of reading, and "You Tube Schooling" but a lot of it can be conflicting...
I have a Nuvo 30 aquarium
Current Orbit Marine LED light
And now added a Aqua Euro Protein skimmer

I was also told to add a magnet-attached fan thing to increase the current, but it has slurped up my Sea Hair, and a beautiful Spanish Dancer... I have since unplugged it... Snif...

I was told to put my lights on a low blue only, to then learn ( after 2 anenome disappeared) that they like a brighter light...

My water balanced perfect each time I test it, thanks to my blood shrimp and camel hump shrimp for running clean up....

I love LOVE my tank, I am just frustrated with the deaths of my new toys...

Two Gobys and one Black Capped Basslet (?) have disappeared without a trace.... No sign of any other stowaways....

Any advice for a newcomer is welcome!
I will continue to lurk and learn here...

-Jess.

texdoc77 · 08/08/2015, 10:10 PM

Hello and welcome to RC. I too started my tank around the first of the year. I know you mentioned that you did a lot of reading, but I am curious where you did that reading. Obviously you got some interesting information from some places (blue light only).

Have you had a chance to read the "setting up" sticky at the top of the New to Hobby forum? If not, definitely start there.

You also mention losing a couple of anemones which is interesting as those are not generally for beginners, though some have gotten lucky. Also you mentioned a "fan" that made current. Are you talking about a powerhead? If so you definitely need to plug that back in.

It is really hard to tell where you are at and how you set up your tank. Did you let it cycle properly? What kind of water do you use? Do you have a heater? What kind of salt are you using? What are your current water parameters? Are you testing your water?

These are some good places to start, give us a little more info and we can point you in the right direction.

BTW I love the little nuvo setups, lets get it up and running right without losing any more fish!!!

CStrickland · 08/08/2015, 10:54 PM

I don't think the sea hare or anemones would've survived anyway, don't feel too bad.
Camel shrimps can get fierce later, keep an eye on him.
Like tex said, read the sticky. It sounds like you've gotten some bad advice. The best thing you can do is read before you buy, and ask here too. You will get diff opinions but it's better than one wrong one. Also, there's a loooot of bad info on YouTube, any dummie can natter on like a pro in there and it's easy to believe them.

What is left in the tank?
Often pictures tell a thousand words, there's some real smarties here that can take one look at your tank and answer a bunch of questions you never knew to ask. So if possible, put some up.

Welcome! It's a fun hobby, you'll be on track in no time!

gone fishin · 08/09/2015, 07:34 AM

I would suspect your the victim of some bad advice. A pic would certainly help. It also sounds like you may have been making frequent changes to your tank. In most cases slow methodical changes are best.

I would highly suggest that you read the setting up sticky at the top of this forum then come back with some questions. Good luck

Coralreefer1 · 08/09/2015, 07:40 AM

Many Anemones, Spanish Dancers are hard to maintain even by experts. Your Sea Hare dying may be the culprit in poisoning your tank and its inhabitants. I would perform a large water change and check your water parameters again initially. The wavy thing is a powerhead, used for water flow among other important functions. The blue light is essential, however, full spectrum is needed for corals, anemones and other animals containing zooxanthellae. Definitely good to read and ask questions before doing anything. Don't do anything abruptly or spur of the moment or, all too often, you will get burned. Be cautious with what you add to your small tank as far as compatibility, chemical warfare and requirements. Good luck...

justjes45 · 08/12/2015, 07:45 PM

Thanks to you all for your support and advice! I have backed off of rapid changes, water is balanced,Manx everyone seems happy! Here is a pic!

justjes45 · 08/12/2015, 07:46 PM

08/08/2015, 08:59 PM	#1
justjes45 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 12	New here! Frustrated & Fascinated Hello everyone, I started my tank in January 2015. I started with live sand and live rock and built up from there. I had a rough start with a stowaway gorilla crab, recovered for a bit but now have lost my fish and anenome one at a time… The closest fish store is about an hour away, and I don't have anyone close to "geek out" with. I have done a ton of reading, and "You Tube Schooling" but a lot of it can be conflicting... I have a Nuvo 30 aquarium Current Orbit Marine LED light And now added a Aqua Euro Protein skimmer I was also told to add a magnet-attached fan thing to increase the current, but it has slurped up my Sea Hair, and a beautiful Spanish Dancer... I have since unplugged it... Snif... I was told to put my lights on a low blue only, to then learn ( after 2 anenome disappeared) that they like a brighter light... My water balanced perfect each time I test it, thanks to my blood shrimp and camel hump shrimp for running clean up.... I love LOVE my tank, I am just frustrated with the deaths of my new toys... Two Gobys and one Black Capped Basslet (?) have disappeared without a trace.... No sign of any other stowaways.... Any advice for a newcomer is welcome! I will continue to lurk and learn here... -Jess.

08/08/2015, 10:10 PM	#2
texdoc77 Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Waco, TX Posts: 417	Hello and welcome to RC. I too started my tank around the first of the year. I know you mentioned that you did a lot of reading, but I am curious where you did that reading. Obviously you got some interesting information from some places (blue light only). Have you had a chance to read the "setting up" sticky at the top of the New to Hobby forum? If not, definitely start there. You also mention losing a couple of anemones which is interesting as those are not generally for beginners, though some have gotten lucky. Also you mentioned a "fan" that made current. Are you talking about a powerhead? If so you definitely need to plug that back in. It is really hard to tell where you are at and how you set up your tank. Did you let it cycle properly? What kind of water do you use? Do you have a heater? What kind of salt are you using? What are your current water parameters? Are you testing your water? These are some good places to start, give us a little more info and we can point you in the right direction. BTW I love the little nuvo setups, lets get it up and running right without losing any more fish!!! __________________ "The terrible thing, the almost impossible thing, is to hand over your whole self; all your wishes and precautions; to Christ." -C.S. Lewis (Mere Christianity) Current Tank Info: Currently Rebuilding

08/08/2015, 10:54 PM	#3
CStrickland Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New England, U.S. Posts: 4,595	I don't think the sea hare or anemones would've survived anyway, don't feel too bad. Camel shrimps can get fierce later, keep an eye on him. Like tex said, read the sticky. It sounds like you've gotten some bad advice. The best thing you can do is read before you buy, and ask here too. You will get diff opinions but it's better than one wrong one. Also, there's a loooot of bad info on YouTube, any dummie can natter on like a pro in there and it's easy to believe them. What is left in the tank? Often pictures tell a thousand words, there's some real smarties here that can take one look at your tank and answer a bunch of questions you never knew to ask. So if possible, put some up. Welcome! It's a fun hobby, you'll be on track in no time! __________________ If you're havin tank problems I feel bad for you, son. I got 99 problems but a fish ain't one Current Tank Info: 3/2016 upgrade to 120g. Chalk bass, melanurus, firefish, starry blenny, canary blenny, lyretail anthias, engineer gobys, kole tang. Softies / LPS / NPS. <3 noob4life <3

08/09/2015, 07:34 AM	#4
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	I would suspect your the victim of some bad advice. A pic would certainly help. It also sounds like you may have been making frequent changes to your tank. In most cases slow methodical changes are best. I would highly suggest that you read the setting up sticky at the top of this forum then come back with some questions. Good luck __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

08/09/2015, 07:40 AM	#5
Coralreefer1 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Lake Mary, Florida Posts: 155	Many Anemones, Spanish Dancers are hard to maintain even by experts. Your Sea Hare dying may be the culprit in poisoning your tank and its inhabitants. I would perform a large water change and check your water parameters again initially. The wavy thing is a powerhead, used for water flow among other important functions. The blue light is essential, however, full spectrum is needed for corals, anemones and other animals containing zooxanthellae. Definitely good to read and ask questions before doing anything. Don't do anything abruptly or spur of the moment or, all too often, you will get burned. Be cautious with what you add to your small tank as far as compatibility, chemical warfare and requirements. Good luck... __________________ 14 Gallon Biocube with a Jebao Wavemaker and AI Prime LED light fixture. ---------------------------------------------------- Save a Reef...Create Your Own! Current Tank Info: Various LPS, SPS, Zoanthids andToadstools

08/12/2015, 07:45 PM	#6
justjes45 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 12	Thanks to you all for your support and advice! I have backed off of rapid changes, water is balanced,Manx everyone seems happy! Here is a pic!

08/12/2015, 07:46 PM	#7
justjes45 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 12