New to hobby! I'm nervous!

Fragmented Wolf · Feb 10, 2020

Hey, everybody.

As the title states, I'm new to the hobby... Well, I guess that's not entirely true. I remember having a saltwater aquarium in my house in the mid 90s and recall my mother killing a fish nearly every month! Hopefully I don't continue that trend. I actually feel like it's impossible, actually. We have so many resources available today that we just didn't back then.

I've got the 13.5 gallon Evo all in one that's yet to even be cycled, but I'm hoping water will be in it around a 5 days from now! I plan on having two Clowns, a Blenny, and not sure about a possible fourth fish... What you guys think? Four fish too crowded or could it work?

Also planning my corals later down the line. I LOVE toxic green hammers and I think Zoanthids are awesome.

Welp, any tips for a new guy?
Some things to mention. I plan on quarantining all my fish and corals. I've already purchased a new 10 gallon for that purpose. I'm going to attempt copper treatment and once that's complete, finish up with general cure in food and in water.

Oh! And I wanted to know what everyone's preferred method is for putting rocks together in awesome shapes. I want a sick overhang in the tank. I've heard everything from zip-ties to rods of some sort that are inserted after dripping holes?

Thanks for reading!

Crabs McJones · Feb 10, 2020

Welcome to R2R!

yan2pr · Feb 10, 2020

Hello, welcome to R2R!! Here you will find a lot of help and ideas so dont worry, you will be fine.

ScottR · Feb 10, 2020

Welcome and good luck. If you decide to go the copper route, make sure you follow proper protocol.

DMG Reef · Feb 10, 2020

Welcome to R2R! It sounds like you have a plan. Just be sure to research, research, research and you'll do fine.

mike werner · Feb 10, 2020

WELCOME TO R2R!!

Birdbrains? · Feb 10, 2020

Hey, re-welcome to the best hobby ever XD

I would suggest that you skip all those ideas and get some good sized clownfishes and a Nem for that tank. Clownfishes will not act natural with other fishes in the tank and you can always make a community tank if you want to mix several fish- and stinger- species

Regarding pple "killing fishes once a month", it often happens because the fishstores neglect to tell folks that ocean caught fishes, have roughly a 50/50 chance of surviving the process. Often the stores will allow you to believe it was Your mistake somehow, because that persuades people who are new to the hobby to buy more and more, in their attempt to make the ocean caught fishes survive the transfer in the first place.

I find that new lifeforms easier accepts, their new home, if you flush the water column with zooplankton when they are introduced. Even when the zooplankton is depleted, the fishes and stingers will believe the place has PLENTY-O-LIFE in it, and therefor it helps newcomers accept the tank as a place they can live in.

Remember when you use quarantine, to avoid stressing the fishes, stress will block their functions for a full 12hour period.

Best wishes and good luck with everything

BayouReefer · Feb 10, 2020

Arthacker87 · Feb 10, 2020

Happy fishing!!! Lol welcome this hobby is the best. Patience is key. Seeking advice is a great start. Start slow and easy and have fun.

Auquanut · Feb 10, 2020

Welcome to R2R! Sounds like you've been doing some research. great! That's the first step to success. Just take it slow, plan your build carefully, and ask lots of questions. And pictures! Lots and lots of pictures. Glad to have you with us.

SPR1968 · Feb 10, 2020

Welcome to R2R!!!

KJ · Feb 10, 2020

Welcome to R2R!!!

fishguy242 · Feb 10, 2020

welcome going to love it here

way it sounds you need a bigger tank already lol

Scrubber_steve · Feb 10, 2020

Welcome to R2R @Fragmented Wolf
It’s awesome that you’ve joined us here at Reef Excellence.

Don't be nervous, be excited.
You’ll be a Reefing GURU in no time with the help of all the
super helpful
super friendly,
super awesome
super positive, and
super knowledgeable, smart & clever participants that frequent this forum.

C U round the Reef

Steve

Reefnman2 · Feb 10, 2020

Welcome to R2R!

Redfoxtang · Feb 10, 2020

Welcome to R2R!!! Glad you could join us!!!

Sashaka · Feb 10, 2020

Fragmented Wolf said:
I plan on quarantining all my fish and corals. I've already purchased a new 10 gallon for that purpose. I'm going to attempt copper treatment and once that's complete, finish up with general cure in food and in water.

Welcome to R2R! You'll need two separate tanks if you're quarantining fish and corals as corals cannot be treated with copper. Purchase a Hanna high range copper checker. You'll be glad you did! It makes monitoring levels SOOOO much easier.

When you get up and running, don't forget to show us some pictures.