Doing something wrong?

[CanadianReefer]

We don't have a Petco in Canada, so I'm not sure what they sell. I know you can get it on Amazon though. I would assume that biospira would be something similar. As someone else mentioned, is not a "need" but it will help speed things up, which I think would be particularly good considering you have a fish in there

 

[sheepdog76]

OK so as far as the mixing of salt def always do as you said and mix it in a bucket first not in the tank ever. Also good practice to let it sit and test salinity even ph before adding at the least. You should always aim to add the same numbers with every water change. Remember if you are just adding water to make up for evaporation to add plain water not salt.
As for the adding of the bacteria I always add it to new tanks there is many brands out and most any seem to be ok. It wont hurt anything and with as said speed things up.
Since your rock was not live rock you will benefit from adding pods also they will start to live in your rock .
Note on the Prime it is good stuff but watch your PH I found it does effect it

 

[Shark_Party]

Ok. Update. I added the bio spira a couple days ago. And water tested the next day with zero ammonia. 8.2 ph and nitrites were sky high still.

 

[CanadianReefer]

Ok. Update. I added the bio spira a couple days ago. And water tested the next day with zero ammonia. 8.2 ph and nitrites were sky high still.

It's on its way. Perhaps a small water change for the sake of the damsel? Lower them a tad, at least, so it's not quite as toxic. The biospira will definitely help speed things up.

 

[PAXpress]

I told them everything that I had in my tank setup, then asked them if there was anything else I needed to do for a cycle. They said that i should add "sacrificial" fish to jumpstart the ammonia cycle since they're hardy they recommend damsels. So, i bought them.

They recommend things like this because its easier (and makes them more $) than explaining to you the fishless method.

 

[Shark_Party]

It's on its way. Perhaps a small water change for the sake of the damsel? Lower them a tad, at least, so it's not quite as toxic. The biospira will definitely help speed things up.

I plan on doing a water change this weekend. Lower what a tad?

 

[CanadianReefer]

I plan on doing a water change this weekend. Lower what a tad?

The nitrites. It's possible to the fish

 

[Shark_Party]

Would changing the water lower the nitrites?

 

[iemsparticus]

Nitrites are not harmful in saltwater - that's a fresh water thing.

 

[CanadianReefer]

Nitrites are not harmful in saltwater - that's a fresh water thing.

I think they are less harmful than in a FW system, but I don't agree that they are not harmful at all. I've read that before, and I've also read plenty to the contrary. I always feel better safe than sorry and a water change can never hurt. Why take your chances??

 

[Shark_Party]

Did my water change yesterday. Going to get the water tested again today.

Also, for when its ready, just curious if my wish list of live stock will be compatible, here it is and from all if your experience, could you guys tell me yay or nay.
I want to try and keep the damsel if possible, but if he is an butt to the other dish I'll just return him to the store.

1x six line wrasse
2-4 bangaii cardinal
1x diamond goby or green Mandarin goby
1x skunk cleaner shrimp
Cleanup crew of 10-15 snails/crabs, possibly even an emerald crab.
1x sand sifting starfish

I was also wanting to do clownfish but I've been reading up on how mean they are and don't really want to deal with them.
Horse shoe crabs are the funniest to watch, i wanted one but people say they are mean to other inverts, and I can't find any info on how big they get in an aquarium.
Plus, a few months down the road, I want to have corals too. But want to keep the fish compatible for corals.

 

[CanadianReefer]

Did my water change yesterday. Going to get the water tested again today.

Also, for when its ready, just curious if my wish list of live stock will be compatible, here it is and from all if your experience, could you guys tell me yay or nay.
I want to try and keep the damsel if possible, but if he is an *** to the other dish I'll just return him to the store.

1x six line wrasse
2-4 bangaii cardinal
1x diamond goby or green Mandarin goby
1x skunk cleaner shrimp
Cleanup crew of 10-15 snails/crabs, possibly even an emerald crab.
1x sand sifting starfish

I was also wanting to do clownfish but I've been reading up on how mean they are and don't really want to deal with them.
Horse shoe crabs are the funniest to watch, i wanted one but people say they are mean to other inverts, and I can't find any info on how big they get in an aquarium.
Plus, a few months down the road, I want to have corals too. But want to keep the fish compatible for corals.

Hmm. You've mentioned not wanting to deal with mean fish, so I'd find a different wrasse. He and members of his family are essentially one of the nastier bunches. Since your system is really quite small, might I suggest a flasher wrasse of some sort? Very peaceful and are smaller than fairy and lined wrasses.


The Cardinals can also be quite aggressive, but it wouldn't likely happen with the rest of the fish you've mentioned. I find mine chase around my smaller fish that are mid-column swimmers, like my Hector goby. They also may turn on each other as they get bigger.

Blennies are cool and full of personality, and would be small enough for your system, but you can only have 1 (they are territorial towards their kind) and he would have to be added only after any goby (like the watchman goby) was well-settled, since they have similar body shapes and he would likely become territorial with the goby otherwise.

Clowns aren't too bad, IME. You can't have more than 2 though.

A Manderin can't be added to a system that isn't well established, and the smaller then system, the more established it should be so that he has enough food. Since you won't have a sump, your not likely to be successful with this type of fish unless you rig a copepod breeding area that isn't accessible to the fish.

What kind of personality are you hoping for in your tank? I might be able to offer some other suggestions.

 

[CanadianReefer]

I'd noted that you were also thinking of adding more rock. I thought I'd chime in to tell you that if you decide to do this, you have to cycle the rock outside the tank. Otherwise, you'll reset the cycling process. I use a brute trash can, a good air pump, a heater and a bottle of colony. It does the trick quite nicely.

 

[Shark_Party]

I'd like a more peaceful community in the tank, over having certain fish nip at others all the time. I like that carpenters flasher wrasse, that's a gorgeous fish.
I'm not sure about them, but i also love the little Boston Bean Cowfish. Such a goofy little thing, but I've heard that cowfish are difficult to keep.
I added one more 6 lb dry "shelf rock" to the tank, just to fill the gap and add another cave to swim under. I rinsed it off good with distilled water and let it dry before adding it after the water change amd then added more of the bacteria to the tank.
The damsel seems to like the new setup, he keeps swimming through the tunnels, and caves of the rocks.

 

[CanadianReefer]

I'd like a more peaceful community in the tank, over having certain fish nip at others all the time. I like that carpenters flasher wrasse, that's a gorgeous fish.
I'm not sure about them, but i also love the little Boston Bean Cowfish. Such a goofy little thing, but I've heard that cowfish are difficult to keep.
I added one more 6 lb dry "shelf rock" to the tank, just to fill the gap and add another cave to swim under. I rinsed it off good with distilled water and let it dry before adding it after the water change amd then added more of the bacteria to the tank.
The damsel seems to like the new setup, he keeps swimming through the tunnels, and caves of the rocks.

If you'd like a more peaceful community, there are many cool fish you can add. So Royal Gramma, for instance, can add color and personality to the tank. They often have funny swimming patterns - sideways sometimes. It's different, to say the least.

A Hector goby will help with sand algae and is super peaceful so long as he's the only Hector goby in the tank. You could try a Randall goby paired with a pistol shrimp - the pistol shrimp looks like a bulldozer all day long while the goby keeps watch. Sometimes the shrimp will latch onto the goby and take a ride around the tank.

I don't know anything about the fish you mention, but I can't imagine it would be entirely peaceful/easy to keep if it's anything like the rest of its family.

The Mckosker is one of the prettiest flasher wrasses and will be a super peaceful addition.

Firefish are very peaceful and can add some colour. They don't swim around much, mind you. Mine likes to hover and flick his fin.

Jawfish are totally cool. I LOVE my blue spotted jawfish. He can only be kept one to a tank, but there are other species of jawfish that can be kept in groups.

Something like Ruby longfin fairy wrasse may stay small enough for your system (they get to about 3") - but I'd say only if you have very few fish because typically they recommend 50g + for smaller fairy wrasses.

Hope that helps . Good luck with your fish shopping!

 

[Mombo]

I would skip the mandarin and the sixline as others have said. Tank isn't big enough to support a mandarin so you'd be blowing tons of cash buying copepods all the time. Or just watching it sadly starve to death. I got my first tank wanting one and had to pass for the same reasons until I get something more appropriate.

I love my clown fish. They are very nice. I think it's the certain types that are more mean. The normal/fancy occelaris morphs out there Are usually nice ish. I'm sure that's not always true.

Remember you have a pretty small tank! Choose wisely as you can't have too many and cramped spaces cause aggression.

Also Royal Gramma's are pretty cool. I got one recently and he is doing well with my clowns. Quick little guy diving in and out of the rocks compared to my chubby clowns that just want more food

 

[iemsparticus]

I have a Royal Gramma and a McCosker's Flasher Wrasse in my 120gal... they are a lot of fun together. The Gramma has a cave that she made her own, and any time the Wrasse swims too close she comes out to chase him away, and he flashes at her. They both provide a ton of color.

I can highly recommend getting at least one fish that perches on the rocks... it's a zone that gets ignored a lot, and it adds a lot to the tank.

A Neon Goby would be a great addition.