So I "acquired" this salt water tank kit (Marineland Instant Ocean Kit 29 Gallon), set it up and let it cycle about 2 1/2 weeks. Then I went down to a local aquarium store and bought a stripped damsel to start myself off with. I tested my water every few days and everything seemed well. So I went to the same store and got a clarky. prolly 2 weeks or so went by and the clarky died. the damsel soon after (like a few days). As usual, my water was still testing fine. after a week or so, I went to Petco with a sample of my water. they tested it, said it looked good and I went home with two clown fish. These fish were MUCH more active than my previous two and I thought that maybe it was just crappy fish that I had gotten before. No such luck. THREE DAYS after I brought the clowns home, they went from playing and having a good time, to dead. both of them. the same day. as usual, I tested my water with no problems. This time I decided to go down to a fairly large aquarium store across town. I got into a discussion with the owner and explained my situation. He asked me what kind of filter I had. When I explained what it looked like (because I hadn't a clue on what kind it was) he said that I had a fresh water filter! I explained that it came in a kit and he said, well ... it will sustain salt water life, but barely. it is very difficult to keep anything alive with that filter (biowheel). Needless to say, I walked out of there paying about $425.00 for a mud filter (it has the protein skimmer and light included), mud, the plant stuff that goes in it, and s 6 pound live rock. Oh yeah, and some additive so that I can put fish in the tank right away ... two days later, I went down and bought another stripped damsel, a blue damsel and a Niger trigger (who is TOO cool!). This was last Friday, and all are still alive (yeah!), but I am desperately scared I will kill more fish! I took my water in today and they said I was a little high on nitrate and ammonia, and to do a 10 gallon water change. What do you guys think about the filter thing? did they "see me coming" or is there truth to what they said? any advise on my situation?
Thanks in advance ~
Thanks in advance ~