Got my testing kit!

[AngieLikedThat]

Yes both of them.
The ammonia is the food source for the bacteria.

Should I opt out the ammonia neutralizer and just do these two?

 

[AngieLikedThat]

Having lived on Long Island for 40 years, I would encourage you to get an RO/DI filter for your water, or in a tank that small, buy distilled water.

You should be OK for a while. The two issues I had with LI tapwater back in the day were algae problems, and (I believe) slow buildup of copper over time. In my pre RO/DI days I did not have a problem keeping hardy fish healthy, but my tanks would become fatal to inverts after a year or so. What finally solved it was getting the RO/DI unit.

I'm very curious as to what store gave you that advice. Generally, the LFS stores there were pretty good and there is a strong fishkeeping history/community in the metro NY area. Was it a chain store?

Hi!
I read that distilled water was the best option so I was planning on going that route anyways.

It was actually country critters which is pretty sad because I really liked then for all the other stuff I've just never really gotten fish from then except for maybe a few guppies.

I was going to do aqua hut but they had so many dead fish in their tanks I got a bit nervous.

 

[SDK]

Yikes- Hopefully not a sign that things are going downhill overall.

Country Critters is the last place I would have suspected. They were always the best place in Suffolk after Magic Isle downsized.

Sad to hear about Aqua Hut as well. That place was once my go to store for marine and African Cichlid purchases. Kinda small and in a not so great area, but the guy always had such nice and healthy stock. I almost dropped in a few months ago. I will have to check it out next time 'm visiting family...

 

[Dj City]

Should I opt out the ammonia neutralizer and just do these two?

The seachem prime is the ammonia neutralizer. Which one are you using now? I'm in a car right now.
I will clarify more when I'm stationary.

 

[AngieLikedThat]

Yikes- Hopefully not a sign that things are going downhill overall.

Country Critters is the last place I would have suspected. They were always the best place in Suffolk after Magic Isle downsized.

Sad to hear about Aqua Hut as well. That place was once my go to store for marine and African Cichlid purchases. Kinda small and in a not so great area, but the guy always had such nice and healthy stock. I almost dropped in a few months ago. I will have to check it out next time 'm visiting family...

Yeah that's why I didnt really question him their tanks all seem fine and he seemed to know what he was talking about. Is cycling with a fish something that strictly isnt reccomended or does it depend on the person?

 

[AngieLikedThat]

Yikes- Hopefully not a sign that things are going downhill overall.

Country Critters is the last place I would have suspected. They were always the best place in Suffolk after Magic Isle downsized.

Sad to hear about Aqua Hut as well. That place was once my go to store for marine and African Cichlid purchases. Kinda small and in a not so great area, but the guy always had such nice and healthy stock. I almost dropped in a few months ago. I will have to check it out next time 'm visiting family...

Also, regarding aquahut, the fw section seems alright but when I got the the sw it was pretty horrible

 

[AngieLikedThat]

The seachem prime is the ammonia neutralizer. Which one are you using now? I'm in a car right now.
I will clarify more when I'm stationary.

I cancelled the one I ordered and ordered the one you reccomended instead. It will be here tomorrow

 

[SDK]

Yeah that's why I didnt really question him their tanks all seem fine and he seemed to know what he was talking about. Is cycling with a fish something that strictly isnt reccomended or does it depend on the person?

It is not recommended anymore, and even when it was done, not with a clownfish. The usual victims were a Domino or Blue Damsel.

Not that it would excuse the poor recommendation, but they should have at least sent you home with a fresh bottle of one of the quality bacteria formulations. Your top priority, along with the Prime, is to get that bottle of bacteria and get it into the tank.

With regards to the Clownfish, your two options are:

1- Return it if you can.

2- Keep a close eye on it for what looks like rapid or difficult breathing. That will be a sign it's struggling with the ammonia.

 

[AngieLikedThat]

It is not recommended anymore, and even when it was done, not with a clownfish. The usual victims were a Domino or Blue Damsel.

Not that it would excuse the poor recommendation, but they should have at least sent you home with a fresh bottle of one of the quality bacteria formulations. Your top priority, along with the Prime, is to get that bottle of bacteria and get it into the tank.

With regards to the Clownfish, your two options are:

1- Return it if you can.

2- Keep a close eye on it for what looks like rapid or difficult breathing. That will be a sign it's struggling with the ammonia.

Yeah I ordered the bacteria as well they should both be here tomorrow. I've been watching him he seems ok. I'm going to give them a call and see what they say im just at work right now

 

[AngieLikedThat]

Run, do not walk from the LFS you have been dealing with and Return the clown if you can. You apparently have not done your research in this hobby to be successful. If you continue down the path you are traveling, you will not be successful and you'll spend a lot of money in the meantime.

You need stop, start over and spend the necessary time to educate yourself. Then come up with a plan of what you want to accomplish in this hobby before setting up your aquarium. And find out what ro/di is and why it's important.

You said this is a bz time of year at work with the holidays. Then spend the time you have educating yourself in this hobby during the holidays. This is a very time consuming hobby, especially at the beginning when you are new to it.

If you continue down the path you are traveling, you will continue to chase one problem after the other--And Will NOT be successful. GL whatever you decide to do.

My only concern right now is the fish. Aside from contacting the store if I make mistakes that cost me money that's completely on me. That's why I joined this forum, so I can learn. If i cant return the fish I'm here for advice on how to handle the situation. Not to be told that I made a mistake when I clearly see that now. But I know it's coming from a good place so thank you.

 

[New&no clue]

Just a thought on your LFS, I don't know if you should give up on them yet. You talked to one employee one time. That doesn't mean that there aren't a bunch of really awesome people there who would help you out and give good advice. The LFS I go to a lot had two people who are my go too. They give me good advice, they wont let me buy anything I'm not ready for, and they will literally talk to me for an hour about a problem knowing that I am not there to buy anything. There are also a bunch of younger kids there who don't know, or don't care and just give you some basic explanation and then move on.

 

[AngieLikedThat]

Just a thought on your LFS, I don't know if you should give up on them yet. You talked to one employee one time. That doesn't mean that there aren't a bunch of really awesome people there who would help you out and give good advice. The LFS I go to a lot had two people who are my go too. They give me good advice, they wont let me buy anything I'm not ready for, and they will literally talk to me for an hour about a problem knowing that I am not there to buy anything. There are also a bunch of younger kids there who don't know, or don't care and just give you some basic explanation and then move on.

The guy I talk to about my fw tanks has always been straight forward with me. I'll see what he says when I see him again

 

[Dj City]

Ok....
N.Y.C. tap water is not the worst but is not the best either.
I never lived out on the island. I'm from the Bronx.

Distilled water is better than tap! RO/DI is best but distilled is better than plain old tap.

I'm going to try to explain what I recommend and why.

The Bio Spira OR Dr Tims One and Only...
This is the bacteria that converts ammonia to nitrite, then converts the nitrite to nitrate. This is the Nitrogen Cycle. These bacteria feed on Ammonia and Nitrite.

Dr Tims Ammonia...
This is the ammonia that feed the Dr Tims or Bio Spira bacteria. This is how the cycle starts.

BrightWater Ceramic Sphere BioMedia...
This is primarily where the bacteria will live. You want this stuff in your filter. If you have enough BioMedia under the right circumstances, you can get nitrate to be converted to nitrogen gas that simply bubbles out the tank. (We can talk more about that last part later).
Bacteria also live within and on your rocks and sand. It takes TIME to get established but it absolutely happens.

Seachem Prime...
This will kind of neutralize the ammonia.
Prime may be used during tank cycling to alleviate ammonia/nitrite toxicity. It contains a binder which renders ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate non-toxic, allowing the biofilter to more efficiently remove them. It will also detoxify any heavy metals found in the tap water at typical concentration levels. Use at start-up and whenever adding or replacing water.

Heater...
The tank needs to be kept between 74 and 79 degrees. It can be VERY slightly higher or slightly lower but you really want to keep it at about 78 degrees. The heater I linked has a digital thermometer that will help you stay within the right temp range.

Refractometer...
This will provide ACCURATE salinity results. The Hydrometer can get you in the ballpark or at least close to the ballpark but they are not accurate. The slightest bubble will throw it wildly off.

.....................................................................................................................................................................................................
​

The AquaClear is a great HOB filter. It's pretty much the best one you can get for a saltwater tank being run with a HOB. It has a huge capacity for media.
My suggestion would be to go bigger. If you can, Get the Aquaclear 70 or even better, the 110. If that's not really in the budget, get another Aquaclear 50 to add on.
The media that comes with the filter is not bad for bio media but it's not enough and it won't really get the job done.
What I would do is get anther Aquaclear 50 for the opposite side of the tank. I would get media bags and STUFF them with as much Biomedia as will fit and be submerged inside the filters.

 

[Dj City]

It would be a good idea for you to add more water to your tank. It will prevent splashing and provide more water. You would need to add more SALTWATER to the tank if you only filled it up to the level it is in your pic.
If you HAD it filled all the way up and it's low because of evaporation, then you would need to REPLACE EVAPORATED WATER with FRESH water (No Salt).
The reason for this is because when the water evaporates the salt stays. You only have to replace the water.

Please ask any questions you might have.
Myself and others here on Reef2Reef will be happy to answer and help you get your saltwater tank up and running properly.

 

[MichaelReefer]

20gt
Yes I do have one
No but I have one I can out in
Instant ocean
I have a measuring thing that sticks to the glass
The bottle said for fw and sw but like I said when I have a chance to go to the store I'm picking that one up.
I'll call the store and see what they say I wont be able to stop in until the weekend. Work hours are crazy with the holidays

Are you using a HOB filter? Not really the best option for a successful salt water tank, or canister. You generally want a plumbed sump.

 

[AngieLikedThat]

Are you using a HOB filter? Not really the best option for a successful salt water tank, or canister. You generally want a plumbed sump.

I read that they're a better option for smaller tanks

 

[AngieLikedThat]

It would be a good idea for you to add more water to your tank. It will prevent splashing and provide more water. You would need to add more SALTWATER to the tank if you only filled it up to the level it is in your pic.
If you HAD it filled all the way up and it's low because of evaporation, then you would need to REPLACE EVAPORATED WATER with FRESH water (No Salt).
The reason for this is because when the water evaporates the salt stays. You only have to replace the water.

Please ask any questions you might have.
Myself and others here on Reef2Reef will be happy to answer and help you get your saltwater tank up and running properly.

It would be a good idea for you to add more water to your tank. It will prevent splashing and provide more water. You would need to add more SALTWATER to the tank if you only filled it up to the level it is in your pic.
If you HAD it filled all the way up and it's low because of evaporation, then you would need to REPLACE EVAPORATED WATER with FRESH water (No Salt).
The reason for this is because when the water evaporates the salt stays. You only have to replace the water.

Please ask any questions you might have.
Myself and others here on Reef2Reef will be happy to answer and help you get your saltwater tank up and running properly.

Yes I remember reading this. Originally I ready that letting water sit for 24 hours would make it safe to add in but I have distilled water at work I can use instead. I'll bring a gallon home

 

[NanoDJS]

It might be a bit of a haul for you but tropical island fish store in deer park on 231 is Amazing for frags and reef specific stuff once you start looking they also sell lighting and equipment for online prices in store .They are top notch . Of all the store in LI , this is pretty much the only one I deal with .

 

[Magellan]

Yes I remember reading this. Originally I ready that letting water sit for 24 hours would make it safe to add in but I have distilled water at work I can use instead. I'll bring a gallon home

Technically correct! The chlorine will evaporate out and you can use additives to neutralize everything else that would be in tap water. There is an absolute plethora of information out there, it can be very overwhelming. Unfortunately, at this point the best method is to listen to others with more experience. DJ City absolutely has you on the right track, unlike the guy who sold you a clown... I would call them and find out if they might be willing to take the clown back, for at least a partial refund or store credit. They might even let you just keep it in their tanks for a while until it’s ready to go back home to yours!

 

[AngieLikedThat]

It might be a bit of a haul for you but tropical island fish store in deer park on 231 is Amazing for frags and reef specific stuff once you start looking they also sell lighting and equipment for online prices in store .They are top notch . Of all the store in LI , this is pretty much the only one I deal with .

My sister lives in deer park so I'm in the area pretty often