You aren't a horrible reefkeeper! Butterfly fish don't usually do that well in captivity, certainly not in a small tank and certainly not in a new tank! Pipefish are extremely difficult, and it usually isn't a good idea to have a maroon clown with two ocellaris because maroon clowns can be agressive, while ocellaris are probably the least aggressive clowns. I know I sounded harsh just now regarding that LFS owner/employee that helped you, but it is not only an indicator of someone "just trying to make a sale" unethically, but it could also be an indicator of employees that aren't competent and/or a LFS that doesn't care for their fish very much and, in turn, probably doesn't take care of their OWN fish. So, even when you are ready for fish, I was saying not to purchase any from that particular LFS because the fish are probably not well-off to begin with, not well-cared for at the shop, and will already be sick by the time they get to your home.
It sounds like you already have a good idea of how to proceed forward regarding the welfare of your tank. In the meantime, I would stop by a couple other LFS, maybe look at the regional threads in this forum and find some other fellow hobbysts in your area on this site and ask THEM where they like to shop. Perhaps, when you are ready, you can meet this fellow hobbyst at the LFS (s)he recommends and (s)he can introduce you to the shop's owner and help you pick out healthy specimens. This way, you will get to know the OWNER whose pride and joy is his/her shop and this hobby and will be getting your information straight from the source. Having a loyal customer with you will not only insure the LFS honesty (because they wouldn't want to lose a loyal customer, especially one that is bringing referrals!), but it makes the both of you look wise and commands a bit more respect. More importantly, it will insure that you have a much better start in this really rewarding hobby.
Again, I am so sorry you were fed misinformation and were sold those fish. Their first questions should always be: what is the size of your tank and how established is it? Your tank is too small for butterfly fish, and a cleaner wrasse too most likely because there won't be enough other fish for them to clean and from which to receive food. If your shrimp makes it, that is wonderful! If not, try not to feel too horrible because your tank wasn't ready for one, either.
In the meantime, if you want a reef tank, you can invest in some quality trace elements like calcium. Just follow directions on the bottle. This way, you are more likely to get a start growing the good algae, like coraline algae, and if you end up with rock covered in what they call "hair algae" commonly, get a few blue-legged hermit crabs and more turbo snails. Iodine is another trace element that may be good to start adding in a month or two, if your corals are still around.
I hope that all made sense. I'll try to sum it up for you:
--Find a new, reputable LFS (one that will help you even if you aren't ready to make a purchase that day)
--Wait about two months before adding any more fish (you already knew this)
--In about a month, you could start adding trace elements like calcium and iodine (as per instructions) to help create a very healthy tank for your corals and other organisms
--In about a month, you could start adding more turbo snails and blue-legged hermit crabs. (You also want to toss in a few extra shells for them to move into. Otherwise, they might go after your snails and other hermits for their snails.) Look for snails and crabs with shells that have the purple coraline algae, so the proper algae is more a likely to seed all around your tank!
--After you add fish, you can add "sand sifting" snails (ex: nassarius) and other hermit crabs (red legged and others) to be your "clean up crew"/ janitors and keep your tank clean of detritus (wastes), uneaten foods, etc. to keep your nitrates and nitrites and ammonia down. I would wait for adding shrimp because they are more expensive and usually less hardy.
This is just my opinion and what I, too, hard to learn the hard, painfully patient way, but, when you DO add fish, they will be added to a very happy and healthy environment!
I hope you don't give up and stick with this actually very rewarding hobby! It is just absolutely fascinating how every organism has a niche and does something to make the aquarium successful! I, too, can't wait to see how well your tank looks in a few months! Please keep us posted!
