Cameron
Active Member
So I just got a new tank about a week ago. I went to my LFS and got a 20 gallon tank to set up in my son's room. I should've done more research online, but I didn't. All of the research I did was going into this shop and talking to the owner, this was my mistake. I bought the tank, which was set up in his shop with a few fish in it. He told me to take the tank home, set it up, and come back the next morning to pick up the fish I bought. I got a Koran Angel, 2 clown fish, a starfish, and an anemone, as well as several pounds of live rock. The tank came with a regular hang on filter and a light, but really nothing else.
Within a few days, I noticed that the fish weren't doing so well, so I went and got a water test kit. Upon testing my water, I found that the nitrate levels were off the chart. I called the LFS, and they told me that the test strips were garbage, and that I should bring my water in to have it tested by them. I did this, and they told me that my nitrate level was only at 5. This didn't seem right to me, so I bought the same kit he had and went home and tested it myself. Again, it showed that they were way too high. I took some water to another fish store, one that was about an hour away, and had them test my water. They came back with the same results I got. I went home to find the angel and both of the clownfish dead, so I took them out and did a 20% water change. I also purchased an Aquaticlife 115 protein skimmer.
It's been several days now, and the protein skimmer seems to be doing well. My nitrate levels aren't as bad, and the anemone and starfish are both still alive. I want to get some more fish to replace the ones I lost, but I plan to get my tank dialed in first. My nitrate levels are still a bit high, so I intend to do 20% water changes once a week, at least until I get them under control. I also want to do more research first, so I don't end up in a similar situation again. I would appreciate any advice or tips that you guys would like to share. Thank you.
Within a few days, I noticed that the fish weren't doing so well, so I went and got a water test kit. Upon testing my water, I found that the nitrate levels were off the chart. I called the LFS, and they told me that the test strips were garbage, and that I should bring my water in to have it tested by them. I did this, and they told me that my nitrate level was only at 5. This didn't seem right to me, so I bought the same kit he had and went home and tested it myself. Again, it showed that they were way too high. I took some water to another fish store, one that was about an hour away, and had them test my water. They came back with the same results I got. I went home to find the angel and both of the clownfish dead, so I took them out and did a 20% water change. I also purchased an Aquaticlife 115 protein skimmer.
It's been several days now, and the protein skimmer seems to be doing well. My nitrate levels aren't as bad, and the anemone and starfish are both still alive. I want to get some more fish to replace the ones I lost, but I plan to get my tank dialed in first. My nitrate levels are still a bit high, so I intend to do 20% water changes once a week, at least until I get them under control. I also want to do more research first, so I don't end up in a similar situation again. I would appreciate any advice or tips that you guys would like to share. Thank you.
