Need Help On Marines Quick Newbee ( Now With Pics)

[beechey]

as i said ive been givin a free marine tank its been setup for about 3 years been told its got two clowns and that yellow fish from nemo lol its about 2ft x 2ft and got live rock in it

i know nuffin about marines soooooo need a quick course of what i need to do as far from water conditions to live rock etc

so any help will do

i collect it tomorrow so ill post pics when arrives

 

[seffieuk]

Hi Beechy and to the salty side.

Hope you are planning on doing a lot of research today

So you are getting a marine tank with a pair of clowns and a yellow tang, lovely.

What are your plans for moving everything? You need to get yourself some containers large enough to move the rock in water.

Buy new aragonite sand - 20lbs should be enough

What powerheads does the tank have - you need this for flow round the rocks (the live rock is the heart and lungs of the tank, treat with care).

Ensure you have anti histamin in the cupboard - there are many things in marine tanks that can cause allergic reactions. If you are particularly sensitive to rections wear gloves, might be a good idea to wear them anyway!

Do you have a tank or container you could put the fish in whilst you put in the rock (first) and then the new sand?

Where are you going to buy your salted RO water, you will need to do a water change probably in about a weeks time.

Have you got your test kits - at least, ammonia, nitite and nitrate for the moment (salifert)?

What skimmer is on the tank and do you know what they do?

Piece of bad news, the tang is going to get too big for that tank, so you might consider rehoming him before you get attached.

Are there any corals in the tank?

What is the lighting?

And what made you decide to jump straight in to marine?

All the best

Seffie x

 

[beechey]

wow i honesty think i dont know the answer to most of that but ill give it a go !!

What are your plans for moving everything? You need to get yourself some containers large enough to move the rock in water.
ive got a large container that i do water changes with was thinking a few trips ie bring tank first leave water there in loads of other buckets big enough for the live rock

Buy new aragonite sand - 20lbs should be enough
tank is already set up why do i need sand?

What powerheads does the tank have - you need this for flow round the rocks (the live rock is the heart and lungs of the tank, treat with care).
not sure ill take pics but assume they will be fine as the tank has been running for 3 years they said

Ensure you have anti histamin in the cupboard - there are many things in marine tanks that can cause allergic reactions. If you are particularly sensitive to rections wear gloves, might be a good idea to wear them anyway! not sure

Do you have a tank or container you could put the fish in whilst you put in the rock (first) and then the new sand? should be ok with this i think

Where are you going to buy your salted RO water, you will need to do a water change probably in about a weeks time. not sure but sure my lfs will sell it how often do you need to change the water, i do 50% with my discus every 8 days

Have you got your test kits - at least, ammonia, nitite and nitrate for the moment (salifert)? hope they have

What skimmer is on the tank and do you know what they do? not sure agian ill take pics

Piece of bad news, the tang is going to get too big for that tank, so you might consider rehoming him before you get attached. ok no worries thanks Are there any corals in the tank?

What is the lighting? not sure looks bright thou

And what made you decide to jump straight in to marine? i got the tank for free been a disus fishkeeper for years, only marine fish ive ever wanted was a lion fish and copperband butterfly but think the tank is to small for these

 

[seffieuk]

Ok, look forward to seeing the photos and reading your new journel (you will start one wont you )

Ah you have kept discus, well that is a good training I expect you already use RO water?

You will need to change about 25% of the water weekly, but every eight days would be fine you will also need to top-up with just ro water every couple of days, marine tanks suffer a lot with evaporation.

The sand has been in the tank for three years, therefore will have built up a lot of when it is disturbed all that will be released from the sand bed - not something you want. Do your reef a favour and buy new sand

Seffie x

 

[beechey]

i dont use ro as the ph in my tank is perfect for the discus

might get some sand ready for tomorrow

dont even know where to put the tank, that will be tank no:3 lol

 

[seffieuk]

Ah, so you have mts

Look forward towatching your journey

Seffie x

 

[beechey]

right done dam its hard working moving and setting up a tank full of water and fish tank still looks cloudy,the tank has a moonlight mode, aint got a clue if its been done right
the 3 fish are hiding still
its not a yellow tang its the dora fish and 2 nemos the nemo are quite large about 3"
as tou can see tank needs a clean and dusting not bad for free!!
they also gave me loads of kit, the pump that goes to the skimmer is very noisey mind!!
here is some pics time for a beer and match of the day

 

[beechey]

how do i know if there is the correct amount of salt in the tank?

 

[Harry1996]

you test it with a Refractometer the sg should be 1.026 if you are keeping coral but 1.025 is ok

 

[seffieuk]

Have you got a powerhead going in there, make sure for the moment that it is pointed at the top so there is a lot of surface agitation

The 'dory' or regal tang needs to to rehomed asap - that tank is way too small for it

but wow - you got yourself a nice freebie

Seffie x

 

[beechey]

power head?? there are them to things in each corner that blow water which are connected to that ocean pulse duo

the previous ownsers said that they trust the Refractometer as there always showed the wrong amount, ive tried the one they gave me and it says 1.021

does the regal tang ~(dora) grow big then? as it seems happy not hiding atall now!

went to the local fish shop today and wow the guy said he will come to my house tomorrow to make sure ive set it all up correct,
and a barrel of salt water will be £4 quid is that good price
how often do i feed them?
will i need some sort of clean up crew?

 

[aly_starh]

Do you mean Hydrometer? As these are often incorrect. Try 'googling' the two to see pictures. Refractometers are 99% right aslong as they are calabirated(SP?) correctly.

Regal Tangs can grow to a foot long (12") (if not more?) So, it is unsuitable.

How many litres is in a barrell. My LFS charge 17p/L for unsalted water.

Feed them everyday, and vary there diet with live food.


Clean Up Crew can consist of Snails, Hermit Crabs and Shrimp.


HTH

EDIT: TYPO!

 

[AdAndrews]

I was told most marine fish can live at 1.018 s.g is that correct?

 

[beechey]

sorry its a seethrou devive with a lever that moves not sure whats the proper name

wow a foot long the previous owner said they had it over 2 years, is it a really slow growing fish?

is a clean up crew a must?

does the tank need anything else?

how do you know if the live rock is still alive?

 

[seffieuk]

I was told most marine fish can live at 1.018 s.g is that correct?

yes that is correct, but they live at 1.026 in the ocean so why muck about with a tried and tested formula

Seems like you have a cheap hydrometer, only the very expensive lab grade hyrdrometers are good, you need a refractometer.

Seffie x

ps be a bit wary of lfs who offer to come round to your home - they are not usually doing it out of the kindness of their heart!!

sorry its a seethrou devive with a lever that moves not sure whats the proper name

wow a foot long the previous owner said they had it over 2 years, is it a really slow growing fish?

Well, it wouldnt grow to a foot long in a tank, but it does grow too big for your tank - lets hope his insides have not become stunted

is a clean up crew a must?

Well it certainly helps get rid of uneaten food and algae. I'm sure you will have some already, in particular bristle worms, be careful with these beast, although good for the tank they are very irritating to skin

does the tank need anything else?

how do you know if the live rock is still alive?

Well, unless it has been out of water for 48 hours it will have some life left on it - so test and test and then test again Give it 24 hours and then test