[MantaRay]

This is what I have currently
-MarineLand Emperor Hang-On filter with activated carbon
-Dual temp MarineLand heater
-Fluorescent lighting
-1 clown, 1 coral banded shrimp, 1 turbo snail
-crushed coral substrate and 1 live rock

I have finally got the salt levels right and put in all 3 of my fish in. I was wondering, what do i need now? (skimmer, diatom filter, undergravel filter)? my little clown fish (tomato clown) just sits in the corner in the tank, my shrimp has claimed the rock, and the snail just scoots about. Why isnt the clown moving alot? what fish should i put in next (fish-only) I would like to have quite a few different types, colors. The tank is very bare and the purple tinted fluorescent lighting (in a built-in hood) doesnt do any justice. What should i do next? im looking into trigger-fish, lionfish, cowfish, or even seahorses, I would liek a reef aquarium, but prices are just to high. thanks in advance ppl, email me~!

[Samper]

Hey Manta Ray welcome to the site

First I want to ask you how long this tank has been set up?
It sounds to me like you got your salt levels right then added a fish without a cycle. You really need to let your new tank sit for a while before adding a fish. Some experts will tell you a six month wait is warranted but this is more for the reef tank. A hardy fish can get by from the start but this isn't the best option. You really need to let the tank cycle, you will go through algae blooms and the water parameters will fluctuate. A FO tank can get by with flourescent lighting and if you are keeping it this way you will be ok.
Please research setting up a SW aquarium and the cycle process before adding anything else. Your clown might not be moving due to any number of things. If you could post your water parameters, equipment setup, any info you have on your tank will help us make some further recommendations to you.

[MantaRay]

The tank has been set-up for almost a month now, I just bought a 28" long bubble wand to put in my tank, but it looks like crap, why cant it look GOOD like all the tanks ive seen in pictures, the tubes look stupid. Im about to rip the damn tank apart. A benign clownfish that does nothing, a shrimp that just sits there, AND the crushed coral i rinsed still has dust and is clouding the tank. GRR, I swear im going to switch to freshwater....

[chrissie2004]

Hey,

I'm also new to SW tanks and mine as well is still cycling. Out of all the advice I've gotten, the most common advice given is to be super patient...especially at the beginning.It can take months for your tank to properly cycle. I was also told that using fishies to help cycle is out-dated and inhumane

Try to stay patient. There's alot of good advice offered on this website, and if you keep at it w/ patience, im sure your tank will look beautifull in no time

[Samper]

Well said chrissie, It's good to see someone so new already learning about the patience involved. Keep that outlook and I'm sure you will have a positive experience.

[MantaRay]

Yea im pretty new too, I had a very small salt tank with the same fish in it, but my dad bought me this one out of the blue and its kind of a burden to get it going. I cycled it until the salt levels were right so I just put my fish in, I guess I need more experience. Were thinking of getting a few more few (clown?damsel?trigger?tang?) do you think I have the right stuff for them? and should I wait before I do anything? and how long? Like I said I just bought airation thing for it (bubble wand, new air pump) and boy was it a wet wet wet affair trying to get it looking cool, so I just got pissed off and frustrated and through everything in storage. I think I need to hire a professional to come do my tank... Anyone know of any Aquarist courses through colleges/high schools? Or any Aquarium professional services that will come do this for me!!

[Samper]

Start with this book
The consciencious marine aquarist by robert fenner

It's an excellent book for anyone interested in SW. It's mainly a fish book but it gets into inverts a little.

As for you adding any more fish.........no.
Your tank has to finish cycling or you are looking at possibly wasting your money and hurting living animals. Cycling your tank really doesn't mean that your salt levels are right although that has something to do with it. Briefly this is what happens. First you should see a spike in ammonia, bacterias form that change the ammonia to nitrites so you'll have another spike there. Then more bacteria converts the nitrites to nitrates. When your levels reach 0 your tank is ok but you will struggle with the nitrates. You can battle them by performing water changes and having plenty of LR. Keep in mind the cycle process is important to your fish because ammonia and nitrites are toxic at low levels.

[Samper]

I promise you can do it and you don't need a "professional" to do it for you or any classes at the moment. Just be patient and do your research. There is plenty of reading to be done here if you don't wanna rush out and buy any books but research and patience are the keys.

[shah1n]

I do agree with having " The consciencious marine aquarist by robert fenner" is perfect way to enter this hobby. I myself is newcomer to this hobby but had very little loss of fish following the procedure suggested in this book.
good luck.

[shah1n]

One more thing, if you can afford .. have a protein skimmer, and a canister ( HOT will do too) filter as Marineland Biofilter works but it takes couple of month to be effective enough. i have 3 clowns and they all are roaming around happily. I use marineland 170 biowheel + HOT canister+ seaclone 100 protein skimmer

[Anthony D]

I also couldn’t agree more, a common problem with starting up a new tank is trying to stock your tank too soon and you end up with new tank syndrome. I would suggest getting some Sure Start from Marine and let your tank cycle before adding anything else.

Originally Posted by MantaRay

The tank has been set-up for almost a month now, I just bought a 28" long bubble wand to put in my tank, but it looks like crap, why cant it look GOOD like all the tanks ive seen in pictures, the tubes look stupid. Im about to rip the damn tank apart. A benign clownfish that does nothing, a shrimp that just sits there, AND the crushed coral i rinsed still has dust and is clouding the tank. GRR, I swear im going to switch to freshwater....