New and feeding problems alround general questions

[Harkonnen41]

hello there new to hobby and strated about 2 weeks ago going to list my tank and specs and other info hopefully pictures to come just could use some helpfull advice have a few starting problems and could use help

i have a 55 gal tank
aqueon 55 gal hang on the tank filter
temp / thermometer
marineland max jet 1200 waterpump/powerhead
temp at 80f0
Tank ph is at 8.0 ammonia .25 nitrite 2.0 to 5.0 (just did water change) and nitrate at 10ppm and specific gravity at 1.021

i have a rock setup across the tank not to many places for fish to hide but there are ..working on that, i have a local store in the area great place always stocked with what or anything i would need but i find there advice lacking sometimes.

i went ahead and got fish 2 clown fish and a blue tang. did my research and yes i know i am lacking in starting conds for the tang but i am trying to make up for it and i could use some advice all three fish Wont eat flake food ...its a no been threw 3 brands and its a no go the will all eat forzen reef food (rod's) but i feel/know they are not getting what they need from just that i have a veggie clip with green seaweed something else they refuse to eat starting to hit a wall with food ideas and it sucks i want to to right by the fish ..i would feel like **** if they die. also i would like to know if i should look into saltwater plants ? i am getting more liverock from store soon ..just could use some help
thanks to anyone who post

 

[big_trucks_1985]

new life spectrum pellets is a great food but so is rods food. i do not feed flake and will not advise it

 

[big_trucks_1985]

and with nitrite in your water they will be stressing get used to water changes since you didnt wait for the cycle to complete

 

[carpenterman23]

Try garlic. But with your water prams all over the place they may not eat due to stress from the living conditions. If I were you I would pull the fish out and take them back or setup a QT tank for them till your cycles. If you leave them in that 55 gallon you may lose the fish. Keep up on the water changes.

How much live rock and sand do you have? Was the rock cured?

 

[Sk8r]

[welcome]
Please read the sticky atop this forum---on Setting Up. That will tell you things you don't know you should ask, and save you a disaster.