Adding first fish tomorrow

[spamvicious]

Tomorrow I’ll be going to the LFS to purchase two clown fish to add to my tank that is finally cycled. I’m wanting to get an orange clown fish and a black and white clown fish. The LFS has them and they’re both tiny sizes. If I get one of each will the pair?.

Also will I be able to get a cleaner shrimp at the same time or best to wait longer for that?.

 

[Sean Clark]

Tomorrow I’ll be going to the LFS to purchase two clown fish to add to my tank that is finally cycled. I’m wanting to get an orange clown fish and a black and white clown fish. The LFS has them and they’re both tiny sizes. If I get one of each will the pair?.

Also will I be able to get a cleaner shrimp at the same time or best to wait longer for that?.

You could get them all at the same time. I would try to ensure that one of the clowns was larger than the other. Hopefully they pair but it is never a given.

 

[Not an IT guy]

How big is your tank? Be aware of the increase bio load with the new additions. You would like to spread out the additions but I will assume you know that. As far as pairing, it honestly depends. Clowns do tend to become aggressive towards their own kind but what fish doesn’t. Adding a cleaner you should be ok.

 

[encrustingacro]

If they’re tiny, they might be too young to pair. Also, how large is your tank?

 

[Lavey29]

Clowns are very prone to disease so hopefully you have QT or your LFS does QT for you. I love clowns they were my first 2 fish also and both came down with brook quickly.

 

[spamvicious]

Tank is 3ft long and 135litres. I want to play it safe so can just get the fish for now. Just want to try avoid any fighting but I know it’s always a risk.

 

[spamvicious]

Clowns are very prone to disease so hopefully you have QT or your LFS does QT for you. I love clowns they were my first 2 fish also and both came down with brook quickly.

There is nothing in the tank apart from rock/sand and water. Do I still need to quarantine?.

 

[adittam]

There is nothing in the tank apart from rock/sand and water. Do I still need to quarantine?.

If you don’t want to risk bringing in parasites that may make future fish sick, then yes, you should quarantine. Read this thread for more info:

Current Quarantine Protocol

2024 Quarantine Procedures Jay Hemdal David Scarborough Protozoans (Cryptocaryon/ich, Amyloodinium/velvet) and Metazoan trematodes/flukes are by far the most common parasites found on newly acquired fish. A carefully managed, proactive quarantine process can effectively eliminate these...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Chortanator]

You can also ask your LFS if they quarantine, if their supplier quarantines, etc. Also don't forget to pick up a clean-up crew if you're going for a reef tank!

 

[adittam]

You can also ask your LFS if they quarantine, if their supplier quarantines, etc. Also don't forget to pick up a clean-up crew if you're going for a reef tank!

If you ask your LFS if they quarantine, you should also follow up with asking them what their quarantine process is. Lots of LFS will tell you they quarantine to make a sale; if they actual follow a robust protocol, they’ll be proud of it and happy to tell you the specifics.

 

[exnisstech]

My luck with Clownfish if they are not already paired is to get one of the largest they have, maybe even one that is showing aggression and bring that one home. It will most likely be a female, if not is should turn female. Then I go back later and buy the smallest they have since it should be male then the introduce that one and see how it goes. I'm no expert by any stretch of the imagination but that has worked out well for me even with maroons which can be more difficult than other species to pair up.

 

[CoralB]

Congrats !!! But yes I would strongly consider quarantining the fish before putting in to main tank .

 

[spamvicious]

Hi guys I haven’t bought any fish yet as I noticed that the PH on my tank was 7.6 yesterday and when I’ve done another test today it’s even lower. I have a Perspex lid on the tank which has two round holes in it. Should I take this off to help with oxygen? Also should I add a wave maker to help circulate the water?.

 

[homer1475]

Yes, and yes.

Ideially you would want the powerhead or multiple powerheads pointed at the surface to promote gas exchange.

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

Tomorrow I’ll be going to the LFS to purchase two clown fish to add to my tank that is finally cycled. I’m wanting to get an orange clown fish and a black and white clown fish. The LFS has them and they’re both tiny sizes. If I get one of each will the pair?.

Also will I be able to get a cleaner shrimp at the same time or best to wait longer for that?.

What an exciting time!! Good luck!!

 

[adittam]

You definitely want a powerhead pointed at the surface for water movement. A solid lid is ok…everyone’s obsession with screen tops for gas exchange is overblown. Unless you’re siliconing your solid lid in place, the gas exchange you’ll get in the cracks around the edges and from a skimmer are more than sufficient.

 

[spamvicious]

You definitely want a powerhead pointed at the surface for water movement. A solid lid is ok…everyone’s obsession with screen tops for gas exchange is overblown. Unless you’re siliconing your solid lid in place, the gas exchange you’ll get in the cracks around the edges and from a skimmer are more than sufficient.

Thanks. I have a skimmer but I haven’t set it up yet as I need to work out how to as it came as part of a bundle when I bought a second hand tank.

 

[adittam]

Thanks. I have a skimmer but I haven’t set it up yet as I need to work out how to as it came as part of a bundle when I bought a second hand tank.

I would do that first. Did it come with a powerhead?

 

[spamvicious]

I would do that first. Did it come with a powerhead?

It did but the powerhead suction cup just kept falling off into the tank so I’ve ordered another one. The skimmer is a boyu wg-428. I don’t have a sump, the tank has three compartments at the back. First has the input pipe for filter, second had the heater and third has filter output pipe and the return pump. Where should I put the skimmer?

 

[adittam]

It did but the powerhead suction cup just kept falling off into the tank so I’ve ordered another one. The skimmer is a boyu wg-428. I don’t have a sump, the tank has three compartments at the back. First has the input pipe for filter, second had the heater and third has filter output pipe and the return pump. Where should I put the skimmer?

I'm not familiar with all-in-ones at all, but if you take a photo, I'm sure someone else here can guide you...