New Reef bro needs some help

[reefbroao]

I have a newly started tank (5gal) and i feel like im in a bit of a pickle.

I've done 1 water change (I'm expecting a 5 gal delivery of sea water in 2 days which I will fully cycle my system with), my tank has been functional for about two weeks, and I have:

5 gal fluval chi tank

tetra 50w preset heater

tetra pf-10 with polly filters added

aquatop np-80 to get the water moving/ being paranoid about filtration

wave point 8w 6" LED

5 lbs of rock

1 ocellaris clown

1 orange spotted goby

1 pyramid snail.

They have been doing well but I am painfully aware of how my tank will be changing in the next few weeks. I am located in Seattle and I frequent the 2 top rated shops in the area which have told me my water levels are safe, and that I should change my water more frequently to keep my fish safe while my tank matures. I have come to the realization that I need to upgrade the tank size, and I'd like to do so as soon as possible. my original thought was that a nano tank could be best to learn on but I quickly found out that I was wrong.

I love this hobby and id love to keep my little clown and goby alive/ thriving through this ordeal and any suggestions would help greatly.

I have attached pictures of my tank and for some reason I can never get a good natural light picture. (my apartment has very bad lighting/ my tank is in a corner)

 

[CStrickland]

Id get a seachem ammonia alert badge on there asap, and have some seachem Prime water conditioner on hand in case any ammonia turns up. That will keep ammonia from harming them while you figure out what to do, in case your cycle isn't finished.
Do you have any water tests or are you relying on the shop for that?

 

[reefbroao]

I had actually seen them about a day ago and contemplated buying it, I suppose ill have to do that. I'm going to pick up water tests tomorrow as well. I had my water tested 2 days ago though. I'm very close to my shop so its fairly easy for me to get it accurately tested. I do actually have ammonia detox.

 

[CStrickland]

Double check that your brand of detox works with the badge, and tests that you use. You can google it. It doesn't remove the ammonia, just changes it to a non-harmful form until the bacteria can eat it up so the fish don't get hurt. There's an issue with some detoxifiers and some tests getting mixed up by that interaction but I don't really understand it. I just know that the badge and Prime play nice together.

I think that if anything it is a false positive, so you wouldn't miss ammonia that's there but your tests might say things are worse than they are.

 

[reefbroao]

I just got an ammonia test kit, and its at around 1.0 right now so I've added some detox. fish still look good. I'm on the hunt for a 29-40 gal tank and ill try to acclimate that while running the nano.

 

[CStrickland]

1 ppm of ammonia is really bad dude. You need to stay on that detox and change out some water. Ammonia is their pee and they don't have any choice but to breathe it.

 

[reefbroao]

Yeah I'm working on it, luckily I am finally having water delivered today and I'm going to be testing daily, as well as picking up a 30 gal tank today which I'll start up asap. wondering if i should have them transferred into a Rubbermaid while the live rock and tank can sort itself out, or just keep doing water changes

 

[reefbroao]

pretty bummed. about 100% sure the clown isn't gonna make it, hes clearly super weak and breathing quickly. It's my fault for not knowing more about the early stages of a tank, and the shop I started with had told me about having fish by day 4 which I now know is obviously crazy. The goby is doing fine and in a last ditch effort to save what I have, I did about 30% water change. I figure that was the only thing I could really do. Going to pick up a 30 gal tank today which I'm going to let cycle the proper way.

 

[reefbroao]

I got a 40 gal breeder for $40 with a promo from petco originally $130. If you sign up with them you pay $1 per gallon and they have up to 55 gals

 

[CStrickland]

I wouldn't beat yourself up over it if he doesn't pull through. A lot of really good reefers killed a few fish in the beginning, and it sounds like you're getting on track now.
40b is a great tank size. Congrats on the fresh start

 

[reefbroao]

yeah hes gone. BUT the goby is thriving now. I got the clown out and into seclusion before he died so it didn't raise ammonia levels, and ever since my goby has been roaming all over the tank. 5 gal was way too small.

 

[DJasak]

It may be a good idea to add a bacteria supplement to kick start your tank. Instant Ocean has a nice product called Bio-spira. That'll help get your tank established and more safe for your fish. Sorry about the clown, like what was said before, everybody has a starting point and makes mistakes...it's learning from your mistakes that count. But it's always a good idea to do some research before you buy, especially with saltwater. It'll save you some serious stress and money in the long run. Good luck with your new tank!

 

[e048]

This is why I gave up the nano pico route and moved on to bigger tanks

Sorry for all the heartbreak this has put you through but don't beat yourself up over it

 

[gigamanx]

I've lost fish here and there and its never easy to see the little guys go. Try and focus on the water quality and have some patience. It might have been 3 months before my 55g was really stabilized enough to keep fish. I now have two very animated and happy clowns. They are easily my favorite because they are so inquisitive.

 

[reefbroao]

Update*

I got my 40 gal on the road with some tap water and instant ocean salt.

40 lb's carib sea bahamas oohlite

aqueon 700 circ pump

added some marine conditioner

and ill be buying a reef octopus HOB skimmer probably the 90.

Ill actually be letting this tank cycle before adding some lil' guys. :headwally:

supert sketched about the stand so ill be reinforcing it with 2x4s

 

[reefbroao]

Also my 5 gal has began to develop brown algae, which I understand is good, and one of the last steps of its cycle. I'm doing smaller, more frequent water changes.

 

[Bcrowe2012]

Patience and research are key in this hobby. I found that out the hard way when I started my first reef tank 4 years ago. You seem to be on track now though. I have a 40b too and I love it. Have you thought about a hang on the back fuge? You can grow chaeto in that to help with nutrient export and it's a great breeding ground for pods. Another option is a sump, but it sounds like you're wanting to go with hang on the back equipment for now, which you can find plenty of equipment to fit your needs. Good luck and enjoy the setup of the 40b. Take your time and do things how you want the first time, it will save you tons of money in the future.

 

[Sapelo]

Ok, you're getting things going and that's good, but you also need to read, read, read. The STICKY at the top on SETTING UP A NEW TANK is the best starting point.
Tap water is not going to work for your tank, you need RO/DI water.
Adding water conditioners is nice but it's no substitute for waiting out a cycle. Good luck!!

 

[reefbroao]

Yeah tap was kinda my last choice obviously. I haven't had a great way to transport large amounts of water from the lfs but that's my goal for today. I'm planning on starting water changes asap to replace the tap while there's no creatures. And yes I'm open to a lot of filtration ideas, personally I just like the idea of a hang on back skimmer. Mostly because it saves some space but I guess I have to choose my battles.

 

[reefbroao]

I was also considering buying a revers osmosis setup but i think that purchasing water from my lfs is just a better idea