Newbie

[ASH]

Ok my name is ashley and i have just started my reef aquarium. Only had it a month. So everyone has told me to take it slow but i'm a little hard headed. But so far we've had real good luck...We have a small 30 gal. tank. we have 1 false percula, 1 domino damsel, 1 royal gramma, 1 green chromis, 1 three-stripe damsel, 1 banded serpent starfish2 cleaner shrimp, 2 peppermint shrimp, 3 turbo snails, and yesterday i got a condi anemone yesterday.

So that's my background...I got the condi because it was the cheapest anemone and it could be under the lights that i have. I wanted to see if my false percula would host to it. I've had no luck with it so far....but....this afternoon I saw my domino damsel with the condi. He was rubbing up against the condi. It looked like he was kinda cuddling with it...it was kinda cute. But I was afraid the condi was gonna eat my damsel.

So I ran across this website and thought I'd join and talk to some people that have reef tanks and actually know what I'm talking about rather than my friends that look at me like I'm stupid.

~Ashley~

[goldenmean]

Howdy Hoooo!
Welcome to RS!

This is a great place.
Lots of experience and great advice.
We are a friendly lot too!

You probably do have too much fish to soon.
But good luck to you and your animals!

[ASH]

Yea we do have a lot but are done buying fish for a while...I just can't help myself when I go in the fish store. They have such a huge selection. But i'm trying to upload pics and it's not going to the second page....can you help or someone

[lcstorc]

First things first. Weclome to RS!!
I think the problem you are having with pics may be the spam filter. If so it will be fixed soon.
I hate to say it but you have way too many fish for that tank regardless of the fact that it is uncycled. Are you testing your water? What do the tests say? Do you have live rock? A protein skimmer? What kind of lights do you have?
The chances are very small of getting a clown to host in a condy. Condys come from the Atlantic Ocean and Clown Fish from the Pacific. So they just don't recognize each other. I have known it to happen but it is rare so don't be disappointed if it doesn't work. Also a condy can easily grow to the size of your entire tank. I had one in my 6ft long 125 and it took up 1/3 of the tank within 6 months. I ended up giving it away since none of my fis would go anywhere near it.
The most important things in this hobby are patience and research. I know it is hard to leave the lfs without a nice bag of water in your hands but you are going to need to learn how or learn how to not go to the lfs. I guess the third option would be to be like me and keep getting more and more tanks.

[hma]

1. Welcome to RS Ashley, a great place to be.
2. i agree to Lynn, too much fish in your tank
3. As Lynn already said, condys are not symbiosis partner for false clown's.

[caitrina]

Welcome to RS and best of luck with the load you have because I agree with what they said! I will even add one more thing...anemones should not even be attempted in a tank this young.

We all have those issues with our cars going on auto pilot when we pass a LFS, they just kind of turn in, it is worse when the bags follow you to the car, but you have to be strong and say no to those begging for a home. The whole trick to this successful tank thing is....you guessed it..............patience....Go Slow, otherwise you set yourself and your tank up for failure and you have to start all over again and that feeling isn't a good one and ends up costing more money in the long run.

[BigAl07]

I think you'll find a WEALTH of information here. Take some time and read through the various categories you'll find listed http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/?

especially this one
http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-sw-beginners/

and as you learn and progress we'll walk with you each step of the way and help you out. You're not alone and contrary to how it may sound and feel we really are on your side. Most of us have made MORE than our share of mistakes and we try to help and guide others to not make the same ones. This is already an expensive hobby and buying things 2 and 3 times makes it that much worse not to mention the heart ache with your newly found buddies "passing away" for no apparent reason.

I know from experience how tough the LFS trip can be. It was MANY a trip before I learned how to not impulse buy. But after many mistakes I have learned and now my tanks look so much better because of it.

Again welcome and enjoy your times here. It only gets better!!

Allen

[DrHank]

I'm afraid that you've been bitten by the marine fish tank bug really badly. I know it's hard but you must force yourself not to buy anything else for your tank. Unfortunately you have too much livestock for it now. Take a break. Do some reading and research and answer all of Lynn's questions. That way we will be better able to advise you. Again welcome. You are among friends here!

[ASH]

I test my water once a week. I take it up the the fish store that I use. The results are always fine. Umm I did a water change on sunday. I have 35 lbs of rock. No protein skimmer. And I have the lights that come with the aquarium. But the ppl at the fish store had the condi's under normal light so that's really the only reason we got that anemone. I'm not trying to start buying anemone's yet....I work in the summer and not in the winter and summer months are coming to an end so i really wouldn't have the money to set up corals or anemones. We're gonna wait until next year.

[BigAl07]

Not to be a ney-sayer but.....


The reason your LFS had them under "normal" lights is because they can get away with it for short periods of time. These creatures have such a slow metabolism that they don't show signs of neglect or damage for a long period of time. Many people are used to Fresh Water fish in which if they live 6-12 months they think they have done something. Many of our Salt Water buddies can live years on end with proper care. So many people buy these very COOL creatures, take them home only to have them slowly succumb to less than idea conditions after several months. Since it's been months they assume it was "just natures time" for it to die and accept it. That's not the case. Chances are your "normal" lighting comes up way short of anything the condi needs in order for long term survival. Your condi needs a VERY established (minimum of 6 months of stable water parameters) as well as fairly high lighting. I'd seriously think about taking it back to the LFS and re-thinking this guy. It's better for all involved

Hang in there.. we're here to help

Allen

[Dentoid]

Welcome to the Sanctuary! I'm not going to tell you that your condy is in jeopardy because everyone else already has. I will tell you that you are setting yourself up for a catastropic crash of your biological system, especially not having a protein skimmer. Soon your luck will turn into misfortune, discouragment and possibly an exit from the hobby at the speed you are going.

I'd recommend doing a lot more research in how to properly set up a marine biosystem, and start making changes to this tanks equipment ASAP. Remember, the ppl at the LFS are there to make a sale. If they remotely cared about what they were selling they'd inquire about your systems age and steer you away from a delicate animal like a condylactis anemone.

[AQTCJAK]

Welcome Aboard