Hello everybody,
Im new to Reef2Reef as well as saltwater aquariums. I started a 12 gallon Fluval edge saltwater tank that i got secondhanded about a month ago. I have 2 Davinci clown fishes (grade a) that i got as a pair, 1 helfrichi firefish, 5 scarlet hermits, 1 halloween hermit, 1 emerald crab and 2 cleaner shrimps.
I do have some issues though and i am hoping for some guidance. My issues are as follows:
1. I am aware that i was supposed to let the tank cycle for about a month and some change. however, due to my excitement, i only let it cycle for about 2 weeks and noticed my nitrite levels are quite high (2ppm) even though i am changing water every 2 to 3 days. My local aquarium shop guy tells me to add a bottle of...some Instant Ocean bacteria starter bottle which i did yesterday after 30% waterchange but testing the water after 24 hours or so nitriate levels are still high.
2. My bigger clown fish is quite aggressive to the smaller clown to the point where i once seen the bigger one drag the smaller one by its fin all over the tank. What confuses me is that they both do the little seizure act and apparently according to what others are saying, it might be a dominance/mating thing? No clue.
So far, I am really enjoying the saltwater hobby. However, I regret getting the fluval edge due to the lack of tank space as well as the opening on top. Because of this, im setting up a 40 gallon breeder that i got for half off from petco. (I did not realize how expensive the saltwater hobby is so im setting it up real slow.
Looking forward to learn more about saltwater fishkeeping/reefing from everyone here. Thanks for your help and thanks for having me in advance!
For the record, my protien skimmer is currently off so the bacteria bottle could cycle
Im new to Reef2Reef as well as saltwater aquariums. I started a 12 gallon Fluval edge saltwater tank that i got secondhanded about a month ago. I have 2 Davinci clown fishes (grade a) that i got as a pair, 1 helfrichi firefish, 5 scarlet hermits, 1 halloween hermit, 1 emerald crab and 2 cleaner shrimps.
I do have some issues though and i am hoping for some guidance. My issues are as follows:
1. I am aware that i was supposed to let the tank cycle for about a month and some change. however, due to my excitement, i only let it cycle for about 2 weeks and noticed my nitrite levels are quite high (2ppm) even though i am changing water every 2 to 3 days. My local aquarium shop guy tells me to add a bottle of...some Instant Ocean bacteria starter bottle which i did yesterday after 30% waterchange but testing the water after 24 hours or so nitriate levels are still high.
2. My bigger clown fish is quite aggressive to the smaller clown to the point where i once seen the bigger one drag the smaller one by its fin all over the tank. What confuses me is that they both do the little seizure act and apparently according to what others are saying, it might be a dominance/mating thing? No clue.
So far, I am really enjoying the saltwater hobby. However, I regret getting the fluval edge due to the lack of tank space as well as the opening on top. Because of this, im setting up a 40 gallon breeder that i got for half off from petco. (I did not realize how expensive the saltwater hobby is so im setting it up real slow.
Looking forward to learn more about saltwater fishkeeping/reefing from everyone here. Thanks for your help and thanks for having me in advance!
For the record, my protien skimmer is currently off so the bacteria bottle could cycle
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