>>Newbie needs help!<<

[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!

[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.