taryn2185 said:
The fish store said that I would need algea scrapers (2 different ones-one for the seals of the aquarium and then the glass itself), this siphon vacumm thing, all this hose/tubing stuff....I really don't know what to do with it yet.
If the vacuum is still in the package, return it.
IME, that kind of cleaning is much more harmful than beneficial. The Algae scrapper is a good idea as you will encounter many types of stubborn algaes and coralline that the snails will not be able to eliminate. The one meant for "seals" is most likely a soft sponge or clothe brillo pad and also unneccessary. Personally I have never had any algae build up in those areas save for coralline and you will damage the silicone trying to remove that and should be left alone.
As far as the live rock, right now I have just put decorations, plants, and a few coral pieces, as well as two tufa (I think that is what it is called) stones in. Would live rock be better to replace the tufa and some decoration with?
The tufa can stay as it will serve as base rock. The decor is really up to you. Personally I think you will appreciate the astetic of the tank without it. The look of the tank is purely up to you though. The addition of the
LR will serve the tank health a great deal and a purchase well worth the money. The natural filtration properties and macro fauna that comes with it (as well as a few hitchikers) will improve the tank's natural ability to deal with nitrification without the use of man made means..
I just want to make sure that they are all okay, if I have to replace anything I will. I just want to make sure I'm not doing anything for nothing...as in what the fish store was doing to me.
You need not replace anything if you don't wish to. It willoperate fine the way it is but with a few tweeks, it will operate with much less work and effort on your part. The key to a successful tank is to let nature do the work for you. The more you rely on made made toys and "fixes" the more issues that will arise.
As far as filters (Tetra- Whisper- is the brand for all of it), heaters, air stones, and protein skimmer...it all came in this package with the tank. The protein skimmer I haven't hooked up yet because I need the airpump, which will be this weekends project.
HOB filters have their place but again with the possible addition of
LR you may actually be able to dispense of these or simpley remove the media and use them as water movement apparatus.
Do I need anything else really? I mean they seem to be fine...except for the overly excited clownfish doing laps.
As I said, you do not
need anything but the set up as it is now will mean much more work on your part and less actual enjoyment time of your accomplishment.
As far as the snails...would the fish hurt them? Or do they just crawl around and eat algea? I don't really know much about them...
Different snails do different things. The ones I mentioned will definately be fine with the fish and neither will bother the other. Snails will take caare of a fair amount of algae issues, clean up uneaten foods and help keep the sandbed healthy and clean. Depending on the age of your tank, I would recommmned starting with about 20-25 mixed snails of the varieties mentioned. Cerith will spend most of it's time on hard surfaces for algae and just below the substrate cleaning detritus. Nassarius is great for the sandbed as it will keep it aerated to a small degree, eat detritus, uneaten foods and to a small degree algaes. The nerite will primarily focus on hard sufaces for algaes.
If your worried about what you've heard concerning
FW snails that bread out of control, you will not have that problem with
SW snails. Many that do bread and actually survive beyond eggs rarely live that long due to predation from fish and other unseen foe's, not to mention the equipment.
HTH
Cheers
Steve
