I did the bad...

[bbones]

so um.

today I decided was the day to start my saltwater tank... got everything, INCLUDING THE FISH! mixed IO by hand(used hydrometer) put my 6lb live purple rock in the (20 gal) tank, put in the water+conditioner, waited maybe 4 hours, then put the babes’ bag on top of the water before doing a drip acclimation.

THEN**** I read that a tank has to cycle. Honestly how screwed am I? I have two clownfish and an anemone. I have the bags open clipped to the inside of the tank. would they be alright in those bags overnight? Or? I don’t have any kind of water tester tonight aside from the hydrometer

 

[Flippers4pups]

so um.

today I decided was the day to start my saltwater tank... got everything, INCLUDING THE FISH! mixed IO by hand(used hydrometer) put my 6lb live purple rock in the (20 gal) tank, put in the water+conditioner, waited maybe 4 hours, then put the babes’ bag on top of the water before doing a drip acclimation.

THEN**** I read that a tank has to cycle. Honestly how screwed am I? I have two clownfish and an anemone. I have the bags open clipped to the inside of the tank. would they be alright in those bags overnight? Or? I don’t have any kind of water tester tonight aside from the hydrometer

No since the bags are open, as long as the SG is correct and temperature is 77-78, get them into the tank. First thing tomorrow, return them to the LFS you bought them from. Then let the tank cycle.

Do you have test kits?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Agree. Return them. Cycle the tank. And then look into livestock. Putting them in the tank now runs an extremely high risk they're going to die. The anemone is guaranteed to die.
Check out these threads before proceeding
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/beginners-guide-to-acclimation-and-quarantine.304980/
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/cycling-an-aquarium.306554/

 

[VB313]

They need new oxygen and will be dead overnight! You be better off to remove them from their bag and just dump in for the night honestly than leave in bag Plus side is the fish will create ammonia to start your cycle.....But until the cycle they are exposed to high levels of ammonia and won’t survive if left in during cycle and I wouldn’t add a anemone till 6months - year

 

[Katrina71]

A store sold you a tank and fish on the same day?

 

[topjimmy]

If they have bottled bacterial cylcle aids you can cycle it with the fish in the tank.

 

[Evan28395950]

Following. I wish the best for you.

 

[davocean]

Eeek, agree, return and do it properly

 

[Leslie Tabor]

A store sold you a tank and fish on the same day?

This was my first thought...

 

[Leslie Tabor]

If they have bottled bacterial cylcle aids you can cycle it with the fish in the tank.

The potential for the fish to die is still high and the anemone is NEVER going to make it. OP is better off returning the poor live animals and doing this properly.

 

[bbones]

thanks for the responses- I did end up putting them in. heart hurts knowing they probably hurt.

just hoping the live rock and live sand I put in there at least helped.

will report tomorrow

 

[Dsnakes]

First off - Welcome to R2R you’ve came to the right place!

As already stated, returning them will be for the best. Let the tank cycle and get some life growing in there. Take it slow and enjoy!

 

[VB313]

thanks for the responses- I did end up putting them in. heart hurts knowing they probably hurt.

just hoping the live rock and live sand I put in there at least helped.

will report tomorrow

Don’t sweat it your fish store should have known better but anyways Welcome to reef2reef your in good hands this hobby is a continuous learning experience and tons of research don’t be afraid to ask for help or opinions Out of curiosity what kind of water did you mix your salt with?

 

[mtraylor]

Prime will help

 

[madweazl]

If the live rock is truly live rock, the fish will be just fine. The anemone however, will likely struggle and I'd return it (regardless of whether they give you credit or not).

 

[Zakery Murray]

A store sold you a tank and fish on the same day?

Was going to say that you may wanna find a better lfs store, every employee should know thats a no no.

 

[dantimdad]

If the live rock is truly live rock, the fish will be just fine. The anemone however, will likely struggle and I'd return it (regardless of whether they give you credit or not).

This. exactly.

 

[dantimdad]

Oh and give me the address to the store so I can go back hand them into next week, please.

;Wideyed

 

[topjimmy]

I didn't see the anenome part. Yeah I agree take the animals back. Though the stress of multiple transfer might do it in anyway.

 

[Coralmaniac21]

Youll be fine for awhile.


Get yourself this. I bought this 1 gal bottle for my 30g and 27g hexagon now 60g hex.. and poured the entire bottle in.... tank was cycled in 2 days i had 4 fish an anemone and 6 corals.. lost none of them... ammonia wasnt even present and i had nitrates in days.. feed the anemone

https://www.amazon.com/Fritz-Aquati...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=DD2WZHVEB32SRVG2H2SW