First inhabitants!

rferraro21 · Mar 21, 2017

Finally put our first livestock in our 72 gallon. This is my first time have any kind of fish so I'm a little nervous. Everyone looks happy though, I fed 6 pellets of food but they quickly sank to the bottom before the fish ever saw them. Is that normal? The snail went right for them. LFS said feed 8 pellets once a day, is that enough for the fish and shrimp? I also got some frozen food to feed every 2 or 3 days. Is all this correct?

4FordFamily · Mar 21, 2017

It depends on what you keep. I would say feed as much frozen once per day that your fish can consume in under 3 minutes. Whatever that is.

How long has your tank been set up!? What all is in it?

rferraro21 · Mar 21, 2017

It's been set up for a month, started with one live rock and the rest dry, about 55 pounds all together.

rferraro21 · Mar 22, 2017

4FordFamily said:
It depends on what you keep. I would say feed as much frozen once per day that your fish can consume in under 3 minutes. Whatever that is.

How long has your tank been set up!? What all is in it?

Is it normal for food pellets to drop right to the bottom? How many days after putting a fish in the tank do they start eating?

Andrewalex11 · Mar 22, 2017

Pellets should sink, and be sure to change it up! I give flakes / pellets 2x a day for 2 days then I give 1/4 cube of mysis shrimp/brine shrimp/blood worms (Really whatever I'm feeling) after those two days 1 time late in the day so they are good and hungry (Try and keep from anything being left over). Variety in diet is one of the most important keys to keeping healthy fish! I melt my cube in a cup of a little tank water and use an oral syringe to feed slowly over the course of a few minutes. I've never seen a single flake or pice of food laying anywhere in my tank feeding like this and that my friend is what you should shoot for. No leftovers.

rferraro21 · Mar 22, 2017

Andrewalex11 said:
Pellets should sink, and be sure to change it up! I give flakes / pellets 2x a day for 2 days then I give 1/4 cube of mysis shrimp/brine shrimp/blood worms (Really whatever I'm feeling) after those two days 1 time late in the day so they are good and hungry (Try and keep from anything being left over). Variety in diet is one of the most important keys to keeping healthy fish! I melt my cube in a cup of a little tank water and use an oral syringe to feed slowly over the course of a few minutes. I've never seen a single flake or pice of food laying anywhere in my tank feeding like this and that my friend is what you should shoot for. No leftovers.

Thanks! So when the pellets fall to the bottom will clownfish go down and get them or should they be picking them off as they fall? I also got a coral banded shrimp, LFS says he will eat whatever gets to the bottom. Is that accurate?

Andrewalex11 · Mar 22, 2017

Yes, your clowns should eventually pick up on the fact that they have to pick the food out of the sandbed or rock, I'd be careful where dropping them just so they don't sink in any crevices of rock that nobody can get to. Feed slowly so they can grasp the concept of eating sinking pellets. And your LFS is correct on the CBS eating things off the bottom. As time goes on everyone will start jumping out of there perspective areas and pretty much beg for food in the water column when it's feeding time. The snail you have is it a nassarius snail? They can definitely help out with getting pellets that might get missed and dug into the sandbed.

rferraro21 · Mar 22, 2017

Andrewalex11 said:
Yes, your clowns should eventually pick up on the fact that they have to pick the food out of the sandbed or rock, I'd be careful where dropping them just so they don't sink in any crevices of rock that nobody can get to. Feed slowly so they can grasp the concept of eating sinking pellets. And your LFS is correct on the CBS eating things off the bottom. As time goes on everyone will start jumping out of there perspective areas and pretty much beg for food in the water column when it's feeding time. The snail you have is it a nassarius snail? They can definitely help out with getting pellets that might get missed and dug into the sandbed.

Thanks again, this is great info. I was nervous as these are my first livestock. Yes the snail is nassarius, I've seen it go after some pellets. So for 2 small clowns and the CBS, is the one snail a good enough CUC or should I add some more snails or hermits

4FordFamily · Mar 22, 2017

If you feed frozen they're more likely to eat. Pellets and flakes are not natural foods they're used to seeing. Uneaten food will foul your water, as well.

Andrewalex11 · Mar 22, 2017

You should add a CUC slowly and really play it by ear. One mistake many make is that they think a CUC will keep pristine conditions and a beautiful thriving reef. Though they are a component to keeping things in check they should never be used as a primary source. If a CUC member fills it's body with leftover waste and unwanted materials then dies all of those unwanted materials and waste will be released back into your tank all at once which can be devistating. Be careful when mixing snails with certain hermits they will be feeding and growing eventually looking for a new home and a snail is a tasty snack as well as a bigger shell to squat in. Certain crabs can be very nippy and have been known to feast upon corals from time to time. In this hobby you never should add anything too fast even a CUC.

GatorScott · Mar 22, 2017

My fish wouldn't touch pellets. I bought Omega One pellets and the Fauna Marin soft pellets, both of which just sink to the bottom and Roy away and don't get a second look. Switched to Hikari Mega Marine which is a blend of a little of everything and they tear it up! I feed a half a cube two times a day and nothing is ever left in the tank. Going to pick up so rods food at reefapalooza so I can switch it up but I'm sticking with the frozen blends food. Fish are fat and happy

rferraro21 · Mar 22, 2017

GatorScott said:
My fish wouldn't touch pellets. I bought Omega One pellets and the Fauna Marin soft pellets, both of which just sink to the bottom and Roy away and don't get a second look. Switched to Hikari Mega Marine which is a blend of a little of everything and they tear it up! I feed a half a cube two times a day and nothing is ever left in the tank. Going to pick up so rods food at reefapalooza so I can switch it up but I'm sticking with the frozen blends food. Fish are fat and happy

Do you just plop half a cube in there or do you melt it first and use a dropper of some kind?

GatorScott · Mar 22, 2017

I feed half a cube in the morning and half after I get home from work. I just hold it in the tank and rub it with my fingers till it disintegrates. I think most will tell you to unthaw and rinse it tho but I'm too lazy