WD11001
New Member
I got a second hand 92 gallon corner tank that friends were getting rid of. They upgraded to 200. It came with a sump (23 gallon I think), protein skimmer, bio-balls, UV filter. I have about 100lbs of live rock in it. I started off with treated tap water and ran the tank about two weeks. Then I added a live rock branch and two clowns and a blonde naso tang (at the suggestion of the LFS). All seemed well. I watched the numbers and tested religiously. They were all going along well. About a week after those additions, I added 10 lbs of live rock (I think it is the bio rock made in CA). A few days later I added a red flame angel and a diamond watchman gobie. I continued all the water testing. I had not changed water yet though.
A week or so later I added about 6lbs of the rock, three mexican turbo snails. The snails had what may have been pods on them, we were grossed out and I removed them and returned them to the LFS. I also had ammonia and nitrate spikes after these latest rocks were added. After about a day my tang (who I loved and used to eat seaweed out of my hand) started hiding and not eating. He was dead in a day. That was two days ago. Numbers seems stable... ammonia at 0, pH at 8.0, nitrite at 0, nitrate hovering around 20 (I plan a water change tonight after work or early tomorrow).
I definitely think that I added stuff too quickly, with some bad advise from the LFS. My concern is that this is a hobby that gets overwhelming. I have good equipment. I added two Koralia wave makers at the top, and the two returns send water from the top (with the Koralias) around making good movement. So far... it seems the remaining 4 fish are happy. But what my wife thought would lessen my stress, has of course stressed me out. Any comments, ideas, suggestions would be most helpful...Thanks.
A week or so later I added about 6lbs of the rock, three mexican turbo snails. The snails had what may have been pods on them, we were grossed out and I removed them and returned them to the LFS. I also had ammonia and nitrate spikes after these latest rocks were added. After about a day my tang (who I loved and used to eat seaweed out of my hand) started hiding and not eating. He was dead in a day. That was two days ago. Numbers seems stable... ammonia at 0, pH at 8.0, nitrite at 0, nitrate hovering around 20 (I plan a water change tonight after work or early tomorrow).
I definitely think that I added stuff too quickly, with some bad advise from the LFS. My concern is that this is a hobby that gets overwhelming. I have good equipment. I added two Koralia wave makers at the top, and the two returns send water from the top (with the Koralias) around making good movement. So far... it seems the remaining 4 fish are happy. But what my wife thought would lessen my stress, has of course stressed me out. Any comments, ideas, suggestions would be most helpful...Thanks.
it's the key to success, especially when starting out... and my 2nd best tip - whatever the LFS tell you, verify on the forum, lots of great members will help you have sw success 
