Help! Im new and I dont know what to do!

[sappho]

Im new to fish keeping and I think my incompetence is hurting my fish .
I recently got a baby dogface puffer and small yellow tang. I've been trying to get a new tank cycled so they are in a large sterilite storage container with an airstone, ceramic pot, and wine bottle (they liked to hide in/around the pot so i added the bottle for something else to hide by and feel safe). I've been doing 30-50% water changes daily and adding prime to keep the water clean.
Today after a water change I noticed my fish were rubbing against things? I read that indicates there is something wrong with the water so I tested it and the pH was really low. My test kit starts at 7.4 so idk how bad it really was.
I took my fish out and tried to increase the pH by dissolving baking soda in water (premixed saltwater) and adding it to the tank. It increased the pH to between 7.8 and 8.0 but even after adding more and more it wouldnt go any higher? Finally I gave up and dumped all the water, wiped down the container and put new water in it.
My fish are now in a bucket with different water. Im too scared to move them back to the container and stress them even more. As soon as I moved them they seemed instantly better but my yellow tang has darkened on the sides from all the stress .
I feel so bad for putting my fish through so much but I thought I was being really careful? All saltwater for water changes was mixed in a new clean bucket, completely dissolved, with the correct specific gravity. The sterilite container was new and rinsed well. The heater was second hand but rinsed well and seemed to work fine before I put the fish in.
The only thing I can think of that could have had a significant effect on the water chemistry was some tropical flakes and some (store bought) shrimp I put in to try to get my fish to eat. But I thought the ammonia produced from the breakdown of organic material was basic and would raise the pH rather than decrease it?
What did I do wrong and how do relax my fish? Also could a malfunctioning heater had any effect?

 

[PirateLove]

Looks like you're on the right track. Keep it up!

 

[Ztous]

Why buy a fish before the tank is ready?

 

[whosurcaddie]

Fish rubbing up against things indicates ich a parasite. You would have been fine keeping them in the steralite container, moving them probably stressed them more. I would move them back to the larger container 7.8-8.0 ph is fine you wont have any negative impact from that. You also could have added the buffer while they were in there. I would look into the TTM Tank Transfer Method to rid your fish of ich. You would just need a few more of the containers you already have as well as some other miscellaneous items. It is a proven method to rid your fish of this parasite.

TTM-http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2388428

Feed your fish well right now. Also just wanted to add some necessary reading.http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1031074

 

[Sapelo]

Ok, you've got a lot going on here and the first thing you need to do is SLOW DOWN.
You've got a lot of reading and learning to do. Reef Central is a great place to be as there are a ton of experienced reefers here to offer help and advice. Reading and research are only as good as the source so I would encourage you to use this as your source rather than some other things you have been reading.
You should start with the Sticky at the top of this forum called SETTING UP.
PH is really not your biggest concern in a quarantine tank. You should be watching your ammonia reading and adding Prime to control that. Water changes are very helpful too.
For things in which to hide, we like pieces of PVC because they will never leach anything and are easy to clean. Ceramics can absorb toxins and any medications you might use (including Prime) so they really do not belong anywhere near a saltwater tank.
I'm not sure how big a tank you are cycling, but starting with a yellow tang is not the best place to begin. Even if you have a large tank, tangs tend to be some of the more dominate fish and as such should be some of your last additions.

Whosurcaddie is correct that rubbing or itching sounds like an ich problem and one that you will need to address quickly. The tank transfer method is the easiest and best way to do this and there is a Sticky on how to accomplish that too (see link above).

You've got a long way to go.Reefing is a wonderful hobby but not a cheap, easy or quick one. Slow down, read more and ask more questions before proceeding.

Welcome and good luck!

 

[ScienceRulez]

I'm adding my support to what Sapelo said. while there are ways to cut some costs, marine aquariums are not for the faint of heart, the impatient, or the terminally cheap. The tank I inherited at my workplace was not cared for properly and it's taken me 5+ months of work to get the tank running properly. It's been said on this forum a lot that the only thing that happens fast is disaster. So be patient and listen to the advice here its well worth it.

 

[Sk8r]

We have a SETTING UP sticky atop this forum, which will help you a lot. Low alkalinity (ph is a moving target in salt water: check alkalinity instead) can set up problems and lower a fish's defense against parasites and bacteria. Maintain alk at 7.9-8.3. Water quality may have become an issue, and if you do have ich in the tank, you have an additional problem. It's absolutely important you keep salinity, alkalinity, temperature steady within 'good' territory. Not all fish can live in all tanks. Your tank size and fish should match. Adult size for a yellow tang is 7-8". Be sure your tank can give him plenty of swimming room.

 

[toothybugs]

I agree with the above comments regarding taking a breath, slowing down, not bothering with pH, and reading the stickies.

First, you've unintentionally started a Quarantine Tank. That's good. Very good, actually.

Second, it does sound like you have a parasite. Probably ich (Cryptocaryon irritans) but observation will tell you for sure. Until you resolve the issue, don't put these fish in your main tank (!!!!!).

Third, the chemistry you should be concerned with at this point is the temp, salinity, and alkalinity. Magnesium and calcium will come later in all likelihood but for now should not be a concern. Water changes are great ways to keep ammonia in check. All the activity is probably stressing out your tang, you're right, and increasing its susceptibility to attack by the parasite (assuming there is one). Try to keep the fuss to a minimum if you can, your fish will appreciate the quiet and will settle in better.

Lastly, how big is your main tank?

 

[lifeoffaith]

Yes, first thing is check your tank size and make sure these fish will even do well in your tank. I'll assume you've already done that, but just a reminder because some new people only go on the advice of their LFS and they will tell you most anything to get a sale (generalization here I know, but it is a business after all). Tangs are notorious for getting ich. Thankfully you already have a quarantine tank up and have not already added them to the tank. Tank transfer is one method of taking care of ich as suggested above. Others will use copper to treat it. Stress will only make the ich flare up, so try to keep things as simple as possible when treating them. Avoid a light at all for them while they are being treated, it should calm them. Also, I'm not sure what you plan on keeping as far as reef or FOWLR tank, but puffers will eat snails, hermits and shrimp, so keep that in mind. Puffers also need a decent sized tank, so be sure to do your research. Lastly, we're here to help, so please don't worry about asking questions.

 

[CStrickland]

Ph testing is more for freshwater fish
Did you test the ammonia levels?

 

[sappho]

Thanks for all the replies!
I removed the ceramic pot and moved the fish back to the bigger container (slowly and carefully). My tang has returned to normal color and stopped rubbing so things seem okay now .
I have my fish before my tank is cycled due to a timing miscalculation. I ordered the fish in advance and thought my tank would be cycled by the time they got here.
As far as concerned for ich or parasites, I talked to the LFS guy and he said to wait and see if they develop more symptoms. Given that ich is important to catch early I will keep a close eye on my fish. I cant really do the TTM at this point because Im in college right now.
Though it may not seem like it, I did read as much as I could on fish keeping but of course practice is much different than theory. I understand that patience is key here, I jumped the gun with the pH situation because my poor little fish were suffering .

 

[Sk8r]

Do work on that alkalinity. You do need that test. PH isn't as good an indicator in marine tanks. and [welcome]