new to the hobby

[subhanrukh]

hi,

I got a setup from one of my friends. it'seems 30 gallon and had about 7 fish when I got it and about 10 snails. recently I did something dumb I thought to myself that water must be too salty so I added sink water causing fish to die.. really dumb won't happen again.
For some reason after this happened I'm really into the aquarium now and want it to look awesome. unfortunately all the snails and hermits died too.. so I just ordered a beginner pack online to fix that issue as the tanks getting dirty.
Currently I have a 60 gallon filter, a heater, good water flow on the tank. I just ordered a protein skimmer to start getting corals. I'm down to 4 fish and I'll be returning 2 of them to petco soon. as they are far too big for my tank.

what ideally I want is my two clown fish and perhaps 2 more clown fish with a really nice corals. Can someone tell me what I need before I can get to that?? what I should consider and when I get there which ones I should buy??

 

[Ron Reefman]

I don't mean to be negative here subhanrukh, but you are in way over your head at the moment and asking a few questions here isn't the way to figure it out. You need to do lots and lots and lots of reading and then start asking questions.

You are currently killing fish and snails and you want to get some awesome corals? I can't stress this enough read every sticky at the top of this forum. Then read the ones about getting started over at least 2 more times.

Getting to the point of having an awesome tank with fish and coral takes knowing what you are doing, experience, lots of time, as in years, and lots of work... oh yeah and lots of money. If you are ready to make that kind of commitment, then you have a chance. If you think this is easy and can be done quickly, this probably isn't the hobby for you.

For the next 2 or 3 months, while you are reading and buying the hardware and equipment you need (like water parameter test kits) you shouldn't buy anything that is alive!

 

[chrisfont23]

hi,

I got a setup from one of my friends. it'seems 30 gallon and had about 7 fish when I got it and about 10 snails. recently I did something dumb I thought to myself that water must be too salty so I added sink water causing fish to die.. really dumb won't happen again.
For some reason after this happened I'm really into the aquarium now and want it to look awesome. unfortunately all the snails and hermits died too.. so I just ordered a beginner pack online to fix that issue as the tanks getting dirty.
Currently I have a 60 gallon filter, a heater, good water flow on the tank. I just ordered a protein skimmer to start getting corals. I'm down to 4 fish and I'll be returning 2 of them to petco soon. as they are far too big for my tank.

what ideally I want is my two clown fish and perhaps 2 more clown fish with a really nice corals. Can someone tell me what I need before I can get to that?? what I should consider and when I get there which ones I should buy??

A lot of you have good friends on this board too donating tanks. Wish I had one of those. Anyyhow - I would not buy a single critter (ie. fish, invert or coral) until you minimally get a hydrometer, thermometer and water test kit. RODI unit a consideration but you will need some Amquel or tap water conditioner (gulp) to survive.

You cannot just expect to have success by enabling quick fixes - those simply patch problems and lead to bigger ones. To kill a tree you must destroy the roots. Here you are lobbing off the canopy.

Good luck. I mean that

 

[subhanrukh]

A lot of you have good friends on this board too donating tanks. Wish I had one of those. Anyyhow - I would not buy a single critter (ie. fish, invert or coral) until you minimally get a hydrometer, thermometer and water test kit. RODI unit a consideration but you will need some Amquel or tap water conditioner (gulp) to survive.

You cannot just expect to have success by enabling quick fixes - those simply patch problems and lead to bigger ones. To kill a tree you must destroy the roots. Here you are lobbing off the canopy.

Good luck. I mean that

this is to both of you above. I'm sorry I guess I didn't clarify this enough but this happened over a month ago. I got a test kit and have all my paramenters right.. already have a thermometer, Hydrometer, and a heater set up.

I've done enough research to where I've saved all the fish that are currently there and my main reason to get inverts is to make sure that the tank stays clean and within the parameters.

 

[SFish]

A cuc is only one of many controls for algae and PO4. A month or two in for a complete newbie is nothing.

 

[joshbrookkate]

Have you read the stickies in the "New to the Hobby" section of this forum?
So much great information there. I would not add a single thing to your tank right now.

Read the stickies, then test you tank water and post all of the results here. And list what you have in your tank at the moment, too.
It will be easier to give advice once you post specifics about your tank.
Michelle
PS - if you want a successful tank, you have to go slow, research and keep asking questions before you add things to the tank.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Sorry for taking your original post the wrong way, but you sure made it sound like you didn't have a clue about what you are doing. And along that line, you stated you want your 2 clownfish and possible 2 more clownfish... not a good idea in a tank of your size. Maybe in a long 120g or 180g. Clownfish are aggressive and do not tolerate other clownfish except for a mate. They may do OK short term, a week, a month... maybe even 2 months, but long term, in a small tank they will fight and only one or two will survive.

You still have much to learn, but at least you are asking questions and getting feedback. Too many people don't, get frustrated and quit. Stick with it and don't take criticism here as personal attacks. It's just a tough school.

Good luck and keep asking questions!

 

[ryeguyy84]

what do you mean by a 60G filter?

 

[Ron Reefman]

what do you mean by a 60G filter?

I think, assume... I know, I know... never assume. What I think he means is a canister filter designed for use on a 60g tank. But probably a 60g freshwater tank...

 

[ssick92]

I think, assume... I know, I know... never assume. What I think he means is a canister filter designed for use on a 60g tank. But probably a 60g freshwater tank...

Or could be a HOB like the AC70 or AC110, which IMO would be better than a canister.

 

[gone fishin]

Currently I have a 60 gallon filter, a heater, good water flow on the tank. I just ordered a protein skimmer to start getting corals. I'm down to 4 fish and I'll be returning 2 of them to petco soon. as they are far too big for my tank.

what ideally I want is my two clown fish and perhaps 2 more clown fish with a really nice corals. Can someone tell me what I need before I can get to that?? what I should consider and when I get there which ones I should buy??

As Ron pointed out 4 clowns in that size tank will not work long term.

What kind of corals do you want?? Softies, LPS,SPS.

What is good water flow in your tank??

Do you have power heads in the tank??

What kind of Lights are you using??

What is your water source ?? Tap water or RO/DI

What are your current chemistry parameters??

For corals do you know how the calcium, alkalinity , magnesium relationship works??

I am sure there are more questions but these were of the top of my head.

 

[Ron Reefman]

subhanrukh, it's not that the people here, me included, are picking on you. We just don't want to see you waste your time and money making mistakes. Trust me, in a couple of years when you have a mature tank and a much better understanding of what you are doing, this will all seem like such simple stuff.

 

[schnebbles]

ssick - I have a canister and I know it's not what I want - you think I should get an AC 70 or 110? It sure did a great job of clearing up my water in my brand new tank but I know it will be a hassle down the road. I was also thinking of getting an aquaclear and converting it to a HOB refuge at some point, and a HOB skimmer - not sure I'll have room for all of it.

Not trying to hijack - hope this is ok.

 

[ryeguyy84]

ssick - I have a canister and I know it's not what I want - you think I should get an AC 70 or 110? It sure did a great job of clearing up my water in my brand new tank but I know it will be a hassle down the road. I was also thinking of getting an aquaclear and converting it to a HOB refuge at some point, and a HOB skimmer - not sure I'll have room for all of it.

Not trying to hijack - hope this is ok.

I think a HOB overflow and a sump might be your best best