A little advise.

[BigBlueTang]

Hey guys, so i got my first fish in QT while i am waiting for my DT to cycle. I just got a damsel, and I am doing the uncycled qt that sk8r talked about. I feel like I am doing something wrong. The damsel is hiding in the corner, moving its fins. Hes right under the HOB filter. I feel like hes trying to hide, but there is a couple of pieces of PVC in the tank with him. Is this normal? This might be a newbie question but I am just worried.
Thanks!

 

[BigBlueTang]

Hes also breathing hard a little. Im not sure if I should add a powerhead to increase oxygenation?

 

[Marchillo]

I have a 240 gph ph in mine but not sure everyone does that. If it were me I would add it. Salinity matched the source water in qt? How did you acclimate. I used black aquarium background I picked up from petco to cover the back, sides, and bottom. Your tank looks pretty bright. I think dimming the lights could reduce stress. I'm also running an uncycled qt for the first time.

Sponge filter, ph, heater, black pvc, and everything darkened except the front. That's my setup. I have 2 pj cardinals I'm since May 31st. They didn't do that. However we have no idea what the fish went through before he got to your tank.

GL. Hope someone with a bit more experience can add some knowledge.

 

[gone fishin]

I think I would add a little circulation. In the beginning I usually just use ambient lighting on the QT, I think it lets the fish relax a little easier. Make sure to keep an eye out on your ammonia.

I have had some fish hide in the PVC and others do like yours, hide in plain sight. I wish you good luck with your QT.

 

[BigBlueTang]

Okay that makes me feel loads better. Thanks guys! I will cover the three sides with black construction paper, is this enough?

 

[gone fishin]

I think so. Make sure you have some water on hand for water changes or some prime when needed. With one fish it may be a little bit till you need to.

 

[jason2459]

Aren't you the one that had several other threads that exemplified beginner mistakes a few months ago? I'm afraid to ask what happen to those fish.

Please make sure to listen to the advice given and do a lot more research.

 

[Marchillo]

Okay that makes me feel loads better. Thanks guys! I will cover the three sides with black construction paper, is this enough?

The acclimation process is just as important actually more important than the rest of this stuff. How did you acclimate? What salinity are you running your tank at and what salinity was the bag the fish came in?

 

[BigBlueTang]

No, Jason, that wasn't me I know all of us newbs look and talk the same
This is my first fish, other than a ton of freshwater, so I am not completely new. I've researched a ton, and haven't done anything stupid so far.. Although I'm sure that will change.
Also, from the threads I have read it's about half half for either a sponge filter or a power filter, any opinions? I am using a marineland penguin Biowheel 110
Great! Thanks for all of your help!

 

[BigBlueTang]

The acclimation process is just as important actually more important than the rest of this stuff. How did you acclimate? What salinity are you running your tank at and what salinity was the bag the fish came in?

I matched the salinity at the store, 1.018, measured by a refractometer at the LFS and at home, calibrated with a friends Milwaukee refractometer(the digital one) Floated the bag in the water for 15-20 minutes, to equalize temps and then netted the fish in the bag and put it in the tank. I believe this was the way to do it?

Since I am going FOWLR, I am going to keep my display at around 1.021
Any ideas on how to bring it up? Topping off with saltwater was a pretty common idea from the threads I read.

 

[gone fishin]

Either with the top off or a little higher salinity water with WC's will do the trick.

 

[BigBlueTang]

Thanks fishin!

Damsel is being a little more curious now, so not too worried anymore. I will keep the prime and salifert ammonia test kit on hand

 

[Marchillo]

I matched the salinity at the store, 1.018, measured by a refractometer at the LFS and at home, calibrated with a friends Milwaukee refractometer(the digital one) Floated the bag in the water for 15-20 minutes, to equalize temps and then netted the fish in the bag and put it in the tank. I believe this was the way to do it?

Since I am going FOWLR, I am going to keep my display at around 1.021
Any ideas on how to bring it up? Topping off with saltwater was a pretty common idea from the threads I read.

Ok nice work. You are doing great. So I think you are doing the right things. Do what you said above and you are on your way.

 

[jason2459]

No, Jason, that wasn't me I know all of us newbs look and talk the same
This is my first fish, other than a ton of freshwater, so I am not completely new. I've researched a ton, and haven't done anything stupid so far.. Although I'm sure that will change.
Also, from the threads I have read it's about half half for either a sponge filter or a power filter, any opinions? I am using a marineland penguin Biowheel 110
Great! Thanks for all of your help!

My mistake and apologies and you're on the right path then asking questions.

 

[Marchillo]

Thanks fishin!

Damsel is being a little more curious now, so not too worried anymore. I will keep the prime and salifert ammonia test kit on hand

I forgot pickup Seachem ammonia badge. That will show you free ammonia (toxic). If/when you add prime your other ammonia tests might be a little out of whack. Read the FAQs on the SeaChem sight about prime. I was freaking out the first week of qt.

 

[gone fishin]

The first QT and TT is the toughest. But it is much less stressful when we do it up front instead of in panic mode due to some DT outbreak.

 

[BigBlueTang]

I forgot pickup Seachem ammonia badge. That will show you free ammonia (toxic). If/when you add prime your other ammonia tests might be a little out of whack. Read the FAQs on the SeaChem sight about prime. I was freaking out the first week of qt.

AHHH CRAP THAT WAS ON MY LIST!!!
My petco just closed. I will get it tomorrow.

 

[BigBlueTang]

My mistake and apologies and you're on the right path then asking questions.

It's totally fine. I loved your rebuild! Great Job!

Fishin, thanks for your help!

 

[jason2459]

It's totally fine. I loved your rebuild! Great Job!

Fishin, thanks for your help!

Thanks, it's never ending and always learning. I must have been mixing you up with someone else that happened to start like 2 threads a few weeks apart of some bad situation that they never took advice on or proper research and if I remember right some fish deaths were involved. I think you must have posted in one of those threads because your username looks very familiar. But again, sorry for the mix up. Good luck with the tank and enjoy it as much as possible is the most important thing.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Can I ask why you chose a damsel? You do know how aggressive they are, Right? Sk8r also recommends a min if I remember correctly of 100 gals?