Conflict on new tank setup

[scifixtion]

I read so many websites, books & reef land forum before I started my saltwater tank & I thought I did everything right.

I set my 12 gallon tank up with live rock & live sand. I have a bio wheel filter & let is run for 4 weeks (with no fish in it) I let it run a full cycle. All my ammonia, nitrate, & nitrites were at zero. I then add 2 clown fish that is it only 2 fish in the whole tank. A week later my nits (nitrate & nitrite), went up I except that.

I read on here (and other places) to do a practical water change to correct nit problem. I did a partcial water change (using bottle water, not the sink) I waited a couple days and tested my water and my nits are still high. I am one color off from the right level according to my test kit.

Here is where I am confused…
I read that a new tank will have high nitrate & nitrites level until the bio wheel is establish. Which I have a new tank only 5 weeks old, could it be I have high nit because my wheel is not established & water change won't help?? When will the wheel be establish?

Or do I just need to do more water change? How often can you change the water I just did it 3 days ago, should I do it again or wait?

[Original Fin]

Welcome Sci-Fi,

A few observations.

12 gallons is not near enough volume for 2 anemonefish. Because your tank is so small and so young, you do not have adequate bio-filtration. Also, you should plan on doing regular weekly water changes anyway. With a small tank like that, the bigger the better. I'm afraid you shouldn't have any more than 1 very small fish 1&1/2 full grown or less. A tank that small is very challenging...especially for a beginner.
Your should consider ditching the biowheel and going with live rock for your biofilter.

Some ref mat'l that is pertinent to your questions:

Nitrates - Origin & Controls

Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium

Fish Stocking Limit - for FO and FOWLR

The Secret Cycle

The Mature Aquarium

how do I do a water change?

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

I also might add that such a small system wont be able to handle such a big addition to the Bio load (adding 2 clowns at the same time), especially for a very young and relatively small tank. Yotank may have initially cycled but hasn't matured, hence the fragile nitrogen cycle. A single clown fish of the smaller species would need twice the size of your aquarium. A pistol shrimp/ gobey pair would do nice in a tank of your size.
Go very slow. It might even be better to return your livestock and wait a couple more months for your tank to mature some.

[scifixtion]

Welcome Sci-Fi,

Your should consider ditching the biowheel and going with live rock for your biofilter.
l

I already have live rock in the tank.

See this is where I'm getting Confused, I have read on here & in books that a bio wheel is Must have to keep the right bacteria in your tank to keep the fish healthy. Now your saying take out the biowheel??

Then what do I use as a water filter? because my biowheel is inside my water filter you know where the water runs over a pad I replace monthly then over the biowheel, I have to have a water filter right?
Thanks for your help

[scifixtion]

I also might add that such a small system wont be able to handle such a big addition to the Bio load (adding 2 clowns at the same time), especially for a very young and relatively small tank. Yotank may have initially cycled but hasn't matured, hence the fragile nitrogen cycle. A single clown fish of the smaller species would need twice the size of your aquarium. A pistol shrimp/ gobey pair would do nice in a tank of your size.

That makes sense that it's so not mature yet. But when it is can I add more fish?

My friend has a 6 gallon nano cube that is loaded. He has 2 clown fish (just like mine the little nemo ones), blue damse(?sp?), shrimp, hermit crabs, snail & sea annomes and he has had it for over a year & doing great. That is why I bought one, I'd go visit and see how great his looks, but I got the 12 gallon because I thought could have even more in it?

Or is it that I should have only add one fish at a time (like 1 a month) can I add more later when I get the nitrogen down?
thanks

[Original Fin]

Please read the articles I linked earlier. All your questions are answered there.

Your friends tank is overstocked regardless of how long it's been running. Just because someone else is able to keep a bunch of fish alive in a 6 gal tank doesn't mean you, or anyone else should try to do the same.

I could keep my dogs alive in a 3x2 cage, but what kind of life is that?

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

Please read the articles I linked earlier. All your questions are answered there.

Your friends tank is overstocked regardless of how long it's been running. Just because someone else is able to keep a bunch of fish alive in a 6 gal tank doesn't mean you, or anyone else should try to do the same.

I could keep my dogs alive in a 3x2 cage, but what kind of life is that?

Sad but true...
Not respecting a tank stocking limit is one of the biggest mistakes new hobbyists make.
I had about 15 fish planned for my 75 gallon tank. From clowns to angel fish to puffers and Tangs. The more I read ( the stickies on reefland) the more I realized just how small a 75 gallon tank is for marine fish. At most, I plan on having 6 fish. All but 1 will have an adult size of less than 5 inches.
I'm positive I can cram as many fish as I'd like into my tank but I would rather provide an environment that my livestock will thrive in, not just survive.

[leebca]

scifixtion,

I am only responding to your original post and have no read others' posts. So I am responding to this:

I read that a new tank will have high nitrate & nitrites level until the bio wheel is establish. Which I have a new tank only 5 weeks old, could it be I have high nit because my wheel is not established & water change won't help?? When will the wheel be establish?

Or do I just need to do more water change? How often can you change the water I just did it 3 days ago, should I do it again or wait? .

There are many variations of how a system starts up. Much depends on what you have in the tank and what you are feeding them. It is a good idea to NOT have fish in the tank, but to be feeding your cleanup crew. You'd follow these guidelines: Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium

In the above post you're given all the test equipment/kits you will need to be doing, and the way to start an aquarium. For now, the adivce you were given is incorrect. with regards to the fish you've chosen.

The 12 gallon is not suitable for one Anemonefish, much less two. I'd return those fish from where you got them.

If you're interested in keeping a pair of Anemonefishes, I'd look into setting up no less than 29 gallon tank for small species, or up to 65 gallon tank for the large (Maroon) species.

[scifixtion]

Sad but true...
I'm positive I can cram as many fish as I'd like into my tank but I would rather provide an environment that my livestock will thrive in, not just survive.

Very well Said!!

I read many post and website before starting & this is 1st time I've seen anyone say you shouldn't have clown fish in such a small tank. Not saying your wrong, I can tell you from exprience 12 gallon does not work!! My nitrates are always high & I believe (from the post) it is because of it's small size.

I think Reefland should add a post, saying "Beware of small size tanks". Because it says right on the box everything you need to have a health 12 gallon Reef tank and people like me (not knowing better) buy it, thinking you can. Really I can't get it healthy for just 2 fish; forget a Reef!! The small saltwater sets (like nano) are missleading. It would have been nice to have read it before I started.

I am looking into buying a bigger tank, a 100 gallon, I already have a nice spot pick out & filter & skimmer. I'll use my little 12 gallon as a quarantine tank.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

Very well Said!!

I read many post and website before starting & this is 1st time I've seen anyone say you shouldn't have clown fish in such a small tank. Not saying your wrong, I can tell you from exprience 12 gallon does not work!! My nitrates are always high & I believe (from the post) it is because of it's small size.

I think Reefland should add a post, saying "Beware of small size tanks". Because it says right on the box everything you need to have a health 12 gallon Reef tank and people like me (not knowing better) buy it, thinking you can. Really I can't get it healthy for just 2 fish; forget a Reef!! The small saltwater sets (like nano) are missleading. It would have been nice to have read it before I started.

I am looking into buying a bigger tank, a 100 gallon, I already have a nice spot pick out & filter & skimmer. I'll use my little 12 gallon as a quarantine tank.

I'm glad to hear you reconsidered your tank size for the fish you would like to keep.
Before I started this hobby/ obsession, I viewed fish as furniture to accent the home. After spending so much time researching the fundamentals of marine fish/ reefkeeping, I realized that fish are much like other household pets one would have.
It's not just about how much money you spend on them that makes them valuable.
Once a relationship like that is established, it's hard not to want to provide the best possible care.
I got into it for the sake of having another hobby. It quickly became an obsession and now it seems like a part of daily life (as corny as it sounds).

Feel free to start a build thread in the reef forum ( if you plan on a reef tank) or the FOWLR forum. There are a bunch of us that love watching the progress of others. Reefland is full of great people with all different levels of experience and I haven't meet anyone here that isn't willing to help. Charge up your camera's batteries though. We require lots and lots of pictures

[scifixtion]

It's not just about how much money you spend on them that makes them valuable.
Once a relationship like that is established, it's hard not to want to provide the best possible care.

So true they are not just fish but a pet espcially when they swim right to the glass to see you. I have a small (nemo) clown fish that likes to hide under a rock but when it see me he comes popping right out from under the rock to me, I want them to live a long time, it would breaks my heart to see them suffer.

I did it I bought a bigger aquarium not a 100 gallon like I wanted unfortuantly I con't get 100 gallon to fit on the one open wall I have, so I had to buy a 75 gallon tank. I will take your advice and start a thread on the reef wall.;)

[scifixtion]

Update on my little 12 gallon, in case anyone started a little tank like me not knowing better. If you read my above post I con't get my nitrate under 40 (on the color card it was in the red) which is bad even with water changes con't get it under 40.

After a lot of research..

I bought a canister filter, Inside the canister filter I put chemi-pure, ammonia pad, and de*nitrate. Wow did the canister filter make my water Crystal clear way better then the hang on the back bio-wheel filter (I put that to the garbage)

I also bought plants for inside the tank (plants like to eat nitrates) I got two small shaving brush and a medium size turtle weed under 50/50 light they are doing great nice & green.

My nitrate are now at 20 (in the light orange) ya still not at zero but better then being in the red.

[Saltwater To Go]

Well hate through an iron in the fire, But i disagree with having two clowns in a 12 gal. aquarium, clown fish are ideal for small reef tanks. Since you can get them small and they will stay that size for many many years. I've personally setup several 12 to 29 gal, nano reef tanks with great success. My wife has had a 12gal. tank set up in her room for 8 years with 2 clown fish, bubble anemone, yellow goby, pistol shrimp, snails, crabs, and mushrooms. Clown fish like to have a place of residents weather it be an anemone or particular place in the aquarium. On a reef it will always be an anemone, which is their source of protection. Keeping any fish in any size aquarium has everything to do with you feeding and maintenance practices.. When we look at the ocean how could anybody think any size aquarium is big enough. now you could say im irresponsible for keeping that much in a 12gal nano. but i can tell you for sure my fish and corals are very happy and healthy and my water quality is perfect. Good luck

Fishman

[scifixtion]

in a 12gal nano. but i can tell you for sure my fish and corals are very happy and healthy and my water quality is perfect. Good luck

Fishman

How do you keep your nitrates down?? What kind of filter do you have?

Our 12 gallon is in my son's room he asked Santa for the tank so I can't get rid of it I plan on keeping only fish in it, but I've tired everything to keep nitrates down still fitting with it. What do you do to keep them Low in your 12 gallon? I'd apperciate any advice