>>Newbie needs help!<<

[mholcomb8]

I have a 45 gallon tank that I switched over to saltwater early this week (Monday)...so everything went perfect with the setup -- I even found 8 y.o. live rock for sale to go in the aquascape and in the waterfall-filter.

So, late this afternoon, I got my starter fish (1 clown & 2 damsels; 2 hermit crabs -- all xtra small). As they are floating, I was cleaning my power heads because one kept sucking the sand underneath the ground filter. I called the place where I had gotten my starters and the gent told me to just take out the underground filter and tubes and leave the power heads in for blow. This messed up the sand a lot!! I couldn't even see the big purple rock at the center of my tank! I assumed it was just from the stirring of the sand, so I released the fish from their bags and then took the kids to get dinner, expecting to come home to a clear tank....I was SOOO wrong!!! That was 3.5 hours ago and all I am seeing is whiteness (no smell) throughout the tank -- the clown seems really happy and is swimming around playing in all of the bubbles...the black damsel is sticking to one corner but seems ok...i don't know where the blue damsel is, and haven't seen him since the release. As I am writing, I can see a faint brownish color kinda rising from the aquarium floor...its about 2 inches of color above the sand and is very faint, fading into the white as the water gets shallower...the rest still looks white.

PLEASE HELP...Is this normal???? Will I wake up to a clear and happy tank??? What have I done wrong and can it be fixed??

[Kristy]

First of all, welcome to MAAST.

I am not sure how or what to help you on first. Your tank is too new to have fish. Where did you get the sand and did you wash it thoroughly? Was it live sand? Was the live rock underwater when you got it? Where or how did you get/make the salt water?

Usually you have to set up a new saltwater tank and let it cycle for a few weeks (3-6 weeks easily) before adding in fish. Damsels are very hardy and might live through the cycle, but it is very questionable, and doubtful for your other critters. You might consider taking them back to the LFS you got them from or finding someone to help foster them for a few weeks. Otherwise, you may just be throwing their lives and your money away.

You can do some basic research on the net and find simple set up guides for new saltwater aquariums to give you an idea what to expect.

As far as the cloudy water and sand goes, hopefully it will settledown shortly. Good luck.
-Mike

[mama]

The same thing happened to me. When I put my sand in, no fish yet, it took at least 12-14 hours to clear...but it did clear!! I thought it would never happen. The fish should be OK, as I have had this happen with my cichlids and aragonite sand and my LFS said they will be fine, and they were! It is too bad you found the probelm with the powerheads after you got the fish. But I am sure all will settle by the morning. Things might look dusty too, but that also will work its way down to the bottom. Take care and don't get too stressed!! BTW, where in Austin do you get your fish from? I live here too....

[apedroza]

Waaay too early for anything live to go in your tank. As your tank cycles it will spike with nitrates and Ammonia. I doubt your fish will make it through so I would return them. The cloudyness could be from the sand if it wasn't rinsed and will settle after awhile. Adding more live rock will help filter it away and if it's quality live rock may speed up the cycling time. I would definitely invest in a HOB skimmer if you plan on running sumpless.

[mholcomb8]

Thanks for the advice...you are the only one who did not accuse me of being a fish-killer...I guess I need to learn which LFS to trust and which not...I bought them in South Austin at a well-established LOCAL place; I'd rather not say the name but if you have lived here a while, you should be able to figure it out...where do you suggest??

[mama]

I will pm.....

[mama]

My bad!! I did not notice you just set your tank up this past Monday!! They are right...too soon for any fish!! I was advised when I started my tank last Januray to add the sand and live rock first....pouring the water over the sand caused the cloudiness big time....then go with hermit crabs and snails to help cycle, then have the water tested at intervals to get the go ahead for one fish at a time...slow and steady wins the race!!

[SABOB]

Don't be too hard on yourself.We all made mistakes in the begining(some of us still do).Ask alot of questions here and don't believe what you hear from Store employees until you are sure they know what they are talking about.I have learned the hard way they are not all experts.

[SABOB]

P.S. Some employees are great and have great advice.If you are new it's easy to believe anyone.

[mama]

So true that the folks here on MAAST have helped scare away many nightmares with my tanks and their problems!!! Keep on posting concerns right here...the only foolish question is the one that was never asked!!! They will guide you right...

[drgnbttrfly]

Some of the stuff I was told as a newbie and believed...and sometimes still do...then figure out I was wrong....

Wow!!

Did you find a foster home for your fish? I bet someone long time in the hobby can make up a sick tank for them and QT them till your ready.

BTW...I would stay away from crabs unless your going aggressive. I have had them kill my shrimp and lately the bigger my tank gets and the bigger my fish...hurt my fish when they sleep.

Go with snails!

Of course...if your gonna end up with certain fish...they will just be tasty snacks.

So...start with snails!...at least!

I had a friend who I met because she went through the same thing store sold her fish...had her float and drop in the fish..which isn't how you acclimate in salt water by the way....into a nearly brand new tank...we are talkin newer than yours..and she didn't have that nice rock you do!

I cared for some of her critters when she had her shrimp and a couple fish die...because they gave her bad advice and she was like OMG.

Her tank...and new fish are great now.

Good deal on the rock!:applause:

[Pennies2Cents]

Well,

First of all welcome to Maast,

The sand should/will settle down soon, try to figure out whats kicking up your sand and move it away. All should have been settled by now.

In regards to the fish, we started off with Mexican Turbo Snails and 5 Green Chromis, the 2nd week that the tank was set up.. Along with soft corals. Everyone did okay. I hope that all yours will be okay..

Again ask all the questions you want. I just started in Novemeber and I still ask alot of questions.

Also do a progress thread, that would help us help you if any problems arise, and when you look back 6 months from now you will be greatly impressed on how much your tank has come along. Its all worth while..

Again welcome to maast! :)

[drgnbttrfly]

Glad to see I am not the only goofball up at crazy hours

[Mr Cob]

Welcome to Maast.

Can you give us an update and let us know where you stand. Post as much information as possible so that we can give you the best advice.

I would recommend doing some online researching and taking this free online email class:

Saltwater Aquariums 101

Welcome To Saltwater Aquariums 101 "Getting Started" FREE Email Course

http://saltaquarium.about.com/c/ec/1.htm


It's pretty cool and helps with the basics, it helped me when I first started out and it was fun.

Good luck!

[Bill S]

Hey, don't feel too bad - it's just frustrating when folks see posts like this. But, it's NOT your fault. You can do whatever you want, BUT, here's what I would do:

Take your livestock back. ALL of it. That way, no one can accuse you of killing anything!

Then give us details on your tank, and how much rock, live or dead, you have in it.

Just plan on this: you will need to wait 6 weeks before adding real livestock. BTW, you will eventually hate your damsels - they are mean. So, I'd suggest you NOT replace them, that way you won't have to find a home for them later.

[Darth-Tater]

Welcome to MAAST. Everyone has already said it all. You will find lots of intelligent people here on MAAST. Your mistakes were common ones so don't feel bad.

Tater

[Kristy]

How about an update? How are things going?

[mholcomb8]

The tank is clear and EVERYTHING made it safely through...thanks for everyone's advice!

[marshall.read]

Glad to hear everything cleared up for you and your livestock is doing well ... but you may not be out of the woods yet. Since the tank is very young you should watch it closely, if possible be testing for ammonia and nitrate. Until your biological system builds up I would feed very sparingly, and you should give apedroza's recommendation of a skimmer some thought. Wish you the best of luck.