Info please

[Wdavis1488]

Ok so I'm new to the saltwater keeping and my local lfs helped me set up. Now doing more research I found they rushed me into it. They told me 72 hour cycle was enough for 5 gal aquarium with 5 lbs live rock and live sand.I went back in 72 hrs later had them test my water all was good but had minor ammonia. They gave me some ammonia detoxifies told me to put half cap in and should be good. I then bought two clowns two small hermits and two small snails. I know it's small for that but I'll be getting a larger tank in near future. I acclimated everything to tank and put them in. The next day I checked water all was good but noticed a mark on one of the clowns and was in backed of tank and being lethargic. I put a little food in tank and he perked up and was doing fine. later on in the day I noticed loss of color and lethargic again. I went to bed woke up now both clowns are dead. I went and checked water parameters and they were all screwed up. Now for the question should I remove everything from tank and rinse? or should I just let my aquarium do its thing and cycle better. I also bought some bio spira should I add this also?

 

[LadyMac]

Personally I would hold off on anything until you can go larger. Those minute swings are what did your fish in. Having a larger setup the parameters will stay stable much easier.

 

[Dennis McGrath]

That was way too fast for fish. They steered you wrong indeed. I would keep it as is for now and do normal cycling on the tank. The BioSpira should help, but don't over do it. You should get your own test kits as well so you can monitor the levels without having to take water samples to the LFS. Also, do you have something to check salinity levels?

 

[Wdavis1488]

That was way too fast for fish. They steered you wrong indeed. I would keep it as is for now and do normal cycling on the tank. The BioSpira should help, but don't over do it. You should get your own test kits as well so you can monitor the levels without having to take water samples to the LFS. Also, do you have something to check salinity levels?

I was using the kit from my fresh water tank. I bit the bullet this morning and bought a salt water kit and a refrachtometor. When I checked everything this morning water levels were all off but the salinity was good along with the ppt.

 

[Rocky2234]

I would not put anything in a tank that small - the lfs gave you bad advice - I would find another lfs.

 

[Wdavis1488]

I would not put anything in a tank that small - the lfs gave you bad advice - I would find another lfs.

I have but will give them a chance to redeem themselfs

 

[Rocky2234]

I have but will give them a chance to redeem themselfs

The advice they gave you in my opinion indicates they know very little. I would not give them a second chance.

 

[LadyMac]

Agreed. In my experience, it’s best to get advice here and then use your lfs as a source for things only, not advice. I would also be concerned with the health of their stock so if you buy anything live quarantine them. That would be my only use for a five and in complete honesty you need larger even for that. Such a small tank will only cause frustrations until you know exactly how to set up a thriving system.

 

[Dennis McGrath]

There's quite a few people with pico setups, that are successful, 5 gallons would be difficult, but doable. I would agree with Rocky2234, and wouldn't give them a second chanc.

 

[Wdavis1488]

Ok no second chance! I would like to try and get this going. I work from home so I have the time to put towards this and I think I can do this It I'm a little OCD when it come to things lol.

 

[kkegley21]

You should be able to get your money back for the Clowns. Bring in the bodies. And that’s a tiny tank.

 

[Wdavis1488]

You should be able to get your money back for the Clowns. Bring in the bodies. And that’s a tiny tank.

Yeah they said I could we will see if they follow thru

 

[Super Fly]

I wouldn't bother returning to that lfs even if they offered credit unless u plan to use it for dry good, can't believe (not surprised though) they sold fish to a 72 hr old tank. Please don't rush in this hobby, nothing good ever happens. Be patient and add livestock slowly, tank will take few weeks to cycle. Everytime livestock is added, tank needs to build up the beneficial bacteria count to handle the new bioload. And the smaller the tank , the less forgiving it is when it comes to maintaining water parameters and husbandry.

 

[Captain Quint]

Sorry, this happened to you and your fishes.

AND, shame on that LFS.

I'd rate them online if possible.

 

[Wdavis1488]

I've been cycling now for a bit feeding tank and checkin parameters every so often I will not be going back to lfs and will be doing my own research from now on will not rely on a lfs for any info thanks all for any info I will be asking more questions in the future more than likely

 

[croix67]

Don't won't to hijack been cycling a tank 3 this weds with dry rock and only got an ammonia spike <0.15 and No2 0.5 add NT labs live bacteria over the last couple of weeks any thoughts on this