Help With Salt Water Tank (NEWBIE)

[cmor1701d]

Yes, please get test kits for pH, ammonia and nitrite at the very least. Temperature (76 -80) and pH (8.0 -8.3) need to be stable and the tank must be cycled before you add a fish. You need to see a rise in the ammonia, then a fall with a concurrent rise in nitrites. Nitrites should then fall and nitrates should rise. When both ammonia and nitrite are reading 0 you can do a 50% water change, wait a week to check stability and then add a fish. A clown fish I fear is too big for that small of a tank.

[sus2k]

i don't have a test kit. But the aquarium told me to come back 1 week and bring some water sample and so they can test to see if i am able to add some fishes/LR. It's has been a week so far i will be adding some LR and see how it all turns out.

[roka64]

I would highly recommend getting your own test kits. That way you can learn how your tank works and won't have to trust your LFS.

[Kurt_Nelson]

Originally Posted by roka64

I would highly recommend getting your own test kits. That way you can learn how your tank works and won't have to trust your LFS.

Couldn't have said it better.

While your LFS might be a good one, they're not the one ultimately responsible for your tank. Their ultimate responsibility it to make sales and stay in business. Not saying they're giving you bum advice, but your goals are different ones!

Unless you are getting fully cured rock for the tank, no tank cycles in one week. And even if it is fully cured rock, it is still good to "kick start" a cycle and wait for the nitrates to show up. That way, there is no doubt that the aquarium is ready for fish/coral/etc.

Even if you do follow your LFS advice for startup, I'd still get the test kits - you'll need them down the road eventually.

[cmor1701d]

Especially with a 5-6 gallon tank. You should be testing your water every day afer it cycles till you know how stable it is and get in hte habit of keeping it that way.

[sus2k]

thanks! i will purchase the test kit today.

Can you list me what i need, the brand etc and the cost!

Thank to everyone, i am learning alot lol.

[Innovator]

The following are typical recommended brands in no particular order:

API (Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Inc.)
Salifert
Elos
Hagen
LaMotte
Hach

NH3: Should be 0ppm. Typically used while cycling; however, monthly testing is a good habit.
NO3: Should be below 15ppm. Generally not a concern unless you are housing invertebrates; Fish are much more tolerant of higher levels. Monthly testing would be fine.
pH: 7.8-8.4 with 8.2 being optimal. Weekly-biweekly testing. Also search online for Pinpoint pH monitor.
Ca: Should be above 400ppm. Important to those invertebrates with calcifying skeletons. Test daily-biweekly depending on if you are dosing or not.
Alk: 2.5meq/l-4.5meq/l; Shoot for above 3.0meq/l. Important in buffering capacities and calcification. Test daily-biweekly depending on if you are dosing or not.
PO4: 0-0.03ppm. Inhibits calcification and promotes algae growth. Test monthly if warranted.

[roka64]

This is a decent, cheap "starter" kit.
Saltwater Master Liquid Test Kit
Check the price there and then see what your LFS charges!

[melosu58]

I agree with James as those are some pretty good test kits he gave you. Even gave you what to look for.

[pat8you]

Someone suggested this already but i thought i would put in another vote for this fish. Clown gobys are very interesting little fish. I have one in my nano and love the little guy. They like to perch on corals and a few of their favorite rocks and people watch. I think they are kinda cool looking as well.

there are 5 different clown gobys on this page so you have a few to chose from as well.

Gobies for Sale: Goby Fish Species Including Shrimp Gobies

Also depending on if you wanna keep corals or not the catalina goby is a neat little fish too but prefers a bit lower temperature. I've seen them in tanks with higher temps but supposedly they aren't as hardy then.