New to the hobby. HELP!

[marmari]

We got a new aquarium(actually, 2 new aquariums), and just got 5 fishes for cycling and couldn't resist 2 crabs, its a 55 gal, with cured rock and live sand. The two big hermit crabs( size of a palm) are not getting along.
My 1st question is, please tell me how often can I change the pump foam filter, -- since I fed the fish 2ce, the filter is pretty much clogged with food debris! However, I get it that we need the foam for bacteria to thrive, and I'm at a loss as to when am I allowed to clean it, and how? Are you really suppose to rinse foam with your aquarium water? What should I replace the aquarium water with then? I read that evaporation should be replenished with regular unsalted water, is this true? How often do you do this?
Also, when am I allowed to syphone the sand bottom from food debris? A friend told me not to do it and let the crabs to scavenge for it. However my crabs are only interested in climbing on the rocks and cleaning them, plus chewing the sand occasionaly and doing acrobatics. How often should I syphone the tank bottom, and when?
And the third question on fish feeding, what should I feed my fish? I got flakes and frozen shrimp from LFS, the shrimp was too large even after thawing and breaking into tiny pieces for my fish, which are 1 Orchid Dottyback, 1 Green Chromis, and 3 Yellowtail Damsels. Should I put in a blender first? I feed 2ce a day, 11 am and 5 pm. Any tips on feeding? What a mess! How do you minimize the mess? And do I turn off everything for feeding, or leave , say filter and skimmer running, while turning 2 pumps off? What do you guys turn off, and for how long?

Please, help, the life of 7 beautiful creatures depend on it!!!

 

[fsn77]

No offense, but did you do much research before setting up this tank? Most people don't recommend cycling a new sw tank with fish, and I certainly wouldn't cycle a new 55g with 5 fish.

If you're clogging your filter with food waste, you're either feeding too much, or feeding pieces that are too large for your fish (or both). When rinsing your filter pad / foam, it is best to use aquarium water (from a water change, for instance). What kind of filter are you using?

Replacing water lost from evaporation is commonly done with freshwater (or kalkwasser if that is needed for your tank), since the salt doesn't evaporate with the water. You should add the freshwater as needed -- for some it's daily, others every other day... it all depends on how much evaporation you're experiencing.

I'd suggest you stop feeding twice a day, break out the test kits, and keep up with water changes to get your ammonia levels down. Since your tank hasn't been cycled, your ammonia is going to shoot through the roof very quickly feeding that many fish twice a day.

If you could provide some more details about your set-up, like skimmer and filter location -- do they hang on the back or are they in a sump -- you'll get better responses.

 

[mikeatjac]

I would stop feeding the fish period. Maybe once every other day. I hate to say it but if I was in your shoes I would take the fish back until the tank has cycled. Do you really want these fish in the future anyway?

Finally, find a different LFS because this one did you a disservice.

 

[NeilPearson]

hmmm, where to begin....

You shouldn't really have fish in a tank while it is cycling. They tank should be fully cycled before adding any livestock.

Foam filter? I'm not sure what you are talking about but if you have a skimmer and live rock and sand, you don't need any other filtration. This foam filter sounds like it will just collect junk and turn into a nitrate factory. The live rock and sand is where the bacteria lives... you don't need any other bio filtration.

Yes, always replace evaporated water with RO/DI water (not tap... it's too dirty)

How much are you feeding? There shouldn't be anything left over that is sitting around on the sand.

I leave everything running when I feed.

Those are big hermits... if they aren't getting along, I would take them back... actually I would take back all those fish until the tank is cycled and then do some research on your fish selection. Damsels are mean and will likely kill each other or the other fish as they get older.... that is if anything survives the cycle.

 

[cfarrow2]

well, for starters, you probably added the fish too soon. It also sounds like you're feeding them wat too much if your filter is clogged with food. Remember that a fish's stomach isn't much bigger that his eyes (I heard that somewhere, but it makes sense). In that respect, it doesn't take much to give them the proper nutrition. As far as food, it sounds like you don't have brine shrimp, which is small and comes in frozen cubes. Not sure what you have there. cut up the cubed frozen brine shrimp (available at your local fish store) and melt it in either aquarium water, or RO/DI water.
You definitely need to "top-off" evaporated water; generally daily or every other day. Consider: when your water evaporates, it's only the water, salt does not evaporate. You need fresh water (unsalted) to maintain the salinity in your tank. Use RO water ideally, but at the least you must use a conditioner (also at your lfs) to neutralize the chlorine and ammonia that comes from tap water. Be advised, many contaminants come in tap water and can slowly (at best) poison your tank. You can purchase RO water at your lfs as well.
Otherwise, I wouldn't turn off anything (except during maintenance) but your lights. Let the pumps and filters run.
Just a suggestion: take back your fish to the lfs for credit until your tank is cycled. It will probably ensure their survival, especially the Dottyback and Chromis.
sand should be left alone, I think. I use crushed coral myself and siphon it easily, but I don't think that your sand will benefit from it.
FYI: I have a 55 gal. and my evaporation rate is about a 1/2gal. a day. A lot depends on how warm your water is and if it's covered or not.
Good luck with your tank!

 

[dhoch]

mmarmi,

The first thing I would do is take all livestock back to the LFS (if they'll take it)...

Then spend some time reading here...

It would be much better for you to describe your setup (i.e. lighting, filtering, flow (powerheads), parameters (NO3, NO2, Ammonia)) and what you hope to accomplish (what livestock, reef vs Fish only, substrate, etc)

Then we can get a better grip on things...

To try to answer your questions though:

To clean your pump foam filter, when you do a water change, rinse it in the salt water you have pulled out of your tank (don't use fresh water as this will kill the bacteria, and yes they are important)... you can rinse this way as often as you do water changes.

Many do not syphon the bottom of their tanks, but instead use increased frlow to keep debris from building up... syphon will remove debree, but often will often remove sand that you do not want to remove (depending on yoru subrstrate type)

The hermits you got may not be the best choice... Smaller ones, and/or other types of cleaning critters might be a better choice (i.e. some snails).

Fish can eat a variety of food from frozen to flake to pellets, many people will make a mush of fresh sea food, flake, vitamans, etc and blend it together freeze it and chop into small parts and feed to their tank (depends on fish really).

Also I would based on what you are saying feed much less...

Dave

 

[marmari]

Thanks for a reply everyone! I was hoping to cycle the tank with these fish since they are tiny and I was told they were pretty hardy and would survive the cycling. Anyways I love them all and I hope to keep them all. The system I have: 2 powerheads with attached foam filters; canister filter; hang on skimmer; live sand fine grade and, a bit of small shells on top.
yes, I will try to feed less often now...The food WAS enriched brine shrimp, however dumping all that goo in my new aquarium didnt quite feel right... I only used one cube. With flakes, I throw only a PINCH, and with powerheads running, the food just floats around the whole tank. Yes, the flakes might be too big so should be grinded first. Same with brine, will put it in a grinder next time for finer particles.

How long till the amonia will spike? As soon as it spikes, must I do immediate water change, (not to wait the 2 week mark)??? Also during cycling do I need to change water on a daily basis if needed(depending on test kit results for amonia) or no often then once a week?
The damsels get along fine, and I was told they are least aggressive of the damsels -- anyways they are mildly aggressive, just like a Dottyback and I am planning a small Angelfish , so all the guys there will be with a little bit of a character, but not TERROR kind, bad damsels. I love a Chromis, he eats best of all, (like I mentioned before, the crabs are not eating yet) so Chromis have become brighter in coloration, greener and had developed a blue rim around his body to match the bright coloration of blue yellow tail damsels and magenta of orchid dottyback. The crabs not getting along: one crab is friendly and comes to talk to the bigger crab, while the other one is bigger and pushes him away with his claw. The smaller crab then will run away pretty fast. They are now spending time apart, usually the smaller guy moving away from a bigger.

 

[Larry Waughon]

[welcome]

Here is a good spot to start reading.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=166836

 

[marmari]

Yes I just read the article...it looks like its going to be hard..What about the ACT, or Marplex, or Ion Exchange resins to remove nitrites, ammonia?
has anyone tried those? i am really scared ,...
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