New Tank and adding fish soon, need advice

[Madsthetaco]

hello,
I have two blue damsels in a tank that is 10 gallons. The ammonia has lowered greatly and the nitrate is starting to raise. I have been using some quick start to start the cycle faster and tested the water regularly. I did a 90% water change earlier today and the results are looking nice.
The blue damsels are looking well from what I can see. They have normal breathing that is much slower than it was earlier. They re happily swimming around. They joyfully ate their brine shrimp earlier. They open their mouth s little when they are "breathing" is this normal?
I have live sand, a few decorations, an LED and standard aquarium light, and I have been treating tp water with Stress Coat, an ammonia remover and I used a water supplement for my coral and to alkalize (increase the pH) the water.
I am getting a snowflake eel, two clown fish and a brittle star fish tomorrow in the mail. Are my conditions good for more creatures?

 

[martouf13]

You shouldn't be adding any livestock in my opinion because your tank should have ZERO ammonia when it's done cycling and before adding anything to a tank it should be completely cycled and it doesn't sound like it is. Also you shouldn't do water changes during a tank cycle. You are defeating the purpose of the cycle. You do them at the end to remove the nitrates. Also a 10 gal tank is way to small for a snowflake eel. They grow fast and will be longer than your tank. Also, make sure your tank is COMPLETELY covered with no holes. Your eel will escape. I had one snowflake get out of mine and I only had a small hole in the back about 1" in diameter. I highly suggest you don't keep the eel as it won't be fair to him. Also, your tank is to small for anything other than the clowns. Don't add any more fish. Two clowns and two damsels and a eel is a ton of livestock for your tank. Also, Damsels are extremely aggressive and may pick on your clowns. I would suggest you get rid of the damsels.

Sorry to sound harsh but you aren't starting out right.

 

[ajespo85]

^^ what he said, sorry. WAY too many fish for a 10 gallon!

 

[Nina51]

you are setting yourself up for an epic disaster. a 10g tank is much too small for this many fish (especially since damsels/clowns can be aggressive) and is not at all appropriate for any kind of eel.

it does not sound like your tank has completed its cycle and even if it has, your biological filtration will not be able to keep up with the additional bio load you will be adding with more fish and an eel.

i see this livestock is coming via mail so you are pretty much toast unless you have an lfs that will take them or you know of someone else with a LARGE tank that would be willing to house these creatures.

you have much to learn. **sigh**

 

[martouf13]

If I were you I would contact my nearest local fish store and get them to take your new fish/eel/starfish off your hands. Either for good and get store credit or until you can setup a larger aquarium and have it completely cycled. I recommend at least a 55gal if you want an eel and that's the smallest. Your tank isn't near big enough and isn't at all ready to take them. They will most likely die and you will be out a lot of money. I suggest before attempting anything else that you read about keeping a marine aquarium and I mean read a lot.