Am I in the wrong?

[herp_mommy]

ok, I'm new to saltwater and I'm doing a fish-in cycle for my 4gal nano. I know, I know. But I figured it would be safer in such a small tank since I can do 25% wc daily without it being too much of a hassle. I've got a small goby and a scooter dragonet (who has plenty of pods) as well as a few hermit crabs. Right now my levels are: NH3 0ppm, NO2 0ppm, NO3 2ppm, sg 1.021, pH 7.6. I realize the pH is a little low, but I'm not sure how to raise it without buying a chemical additive. If everybody insists on me returning the fish, I will, but I think at these levels they're doing ok. Once the tank completes its cycle, I'd like to switch to dwarf seahorses.

 

[carey]

That scooter will have to go. It first of all will need way more pods than a 4g can ever muster and it will grow too big. I just broke down my 4g pico and I kept only a clown goby in it and lots and lots of coral.

I have a scooter and it literally took me months to wean him off pod, i also have him in a 29g tank with a fuge for the pods to grow. He is now eating bloodworms and pods and getting quite fat. Mine is laready at least 3 inches long so thats the reason the tank is too small.

if you really wanna keep the goby then I would monitor the tank daily for ammonia and nitrites. Both of which are deadly as I'm sure you know. especially in a small tank things can go south in a hurry.

Not sure about the ph as it is very low, do you have any circulation on the top of the water? that helps raise the ph. I used plain old black fine sand and never had a ph issue.

 

[herp_mommy]

Alright. I'll return the dragonet. Im using live sand substrate, but there isn't much surface agitation. I can lower the water level a bit to help that along. I was told the scooter would only get 1.5", but I assume that was just for a quick sale. Should I use a pH raiser to increase the pH? Or see what the surface agitation does?

 

[carey]

I'd hesitate to dose anything in that small of a tank. I would try more surface agitation first.

When I bought my scooter they insisted he would eat anything I fed the tank. I got suckered. lol I even tried to return him but no lfs's would take him because of the pod eating thing.

I now carry around a small book listing all fish and another for all corals so I don't get taken again.

Here's a link on the scooter, it syas he will get to 5 inches!! That I didn't know. i will probably have tomove him out of my cube at some point if thats true....

Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Marine Aquariums: Scooter Blenny

 

[scubasteve03]

What kind of water are you using for top off and water changes. Do you mix your own salt or buy pre mixed? I have heard from many people that use tap as top of or mix to have ph issues.

 

[herp_mommy]

What kind of water are you using for top off and water changes. Do you mix your own salt or buy pre mixed? I have heard from many people that use tap as top of or mix to have ph issues.

I am using tap, then dechlorinator and instant ocean. Should I be buying my water?

 

[carey]

I would highly recommend it. It won't be very expensive as you have a small tank. It will also benefit you algae wise as well...

 

[scubasteve03]

Well if you want the best for your tank Ro Di water is the way to go. With such a small tank I would buy my water that is ro di from any grocery store imo as a ro unit can be pretty price. Also with water changes at petco there is this real ocean water that got me through the first few months of my tank so I would recommend it. It comes in a 10gal box witch would last you a few water changes. Like I said above tap water has to much foreign matter in it.