Please help.....

[aeris]

I'm a newbie at this... so please don't laugh at me... ok?!
anyway. . . I have a 30g aquarium, it's been some years now since I bought it. The only equipment I have is the emperor filter, I haven't bought anything else, first because for now I only want fishes in the aquarium, and second because I don't have too much $$$. Although I try to maintain it in optimal conditions and use several products, the fish don't last much. Any low-budget suggestions?

 

[MWSALT]

Water quality,lighting and Biological& Mechanical filtration are crucial for success! Purchase a decent water test kit. Start off with inexpensive livestock. I also recommend a saltwater aquarium beginner's book and read some each day. Good Luck!

 

[NaH2O]

WELCOME TO REEF FRONTIERS!!!

Why don't you start by telling us what types of fish you would like to keep in your tank, and which fish you haven't had success with?

We have a great group of reefers here, and we'll get you set-up and on your way!!

 

[NaH2O]

MWSalt - welcome to Reef Frontiers!

 

[MWSALT]

Thanks for the warm welcome!

 

[mattseattle]

it sounds as though they already have fish in the tank but keep loosing them.

a skimmer such as the Remora works well and is affordable. maybe a little life rock for filtration. more frequent water changes also help.

 

[aeris]

Really thanks for all your comments....I'm sorry if I sounded a little rough, that was not my intention at all. The last fish I lost was a small lawnmower blenny. That one just lasted like a day after I bought it , but I think he had a disease or something, the same day when I was going to get him out I saw little worms around him, and I had to change the filter cartridges because they had worms all over them too. Right now I just have a medium sized Puffer (porcupine) and 5 anemones. Do you think temperature has got to do with it too? These days it's been really hot.

 

[mattseattle]

how hot has your tank been running? that could be part of it if the tank gets too warm.

 

[aeris]

I have no idea more or less.... what is the max temp?

 

[mattseattle]

well there is your first problem...not knowing the tank of your temperature. buy a thermometer they aren't expensive.

i keep my tank at 80 degrees and no more than a max of 83 in the summer. also you shouldn't have huge swings of temperature from night to day.

 

[Alice]

Welcome!

I think starting with the basics is the best way to cross potential problems off of the list. Temperature is a good place to start.

Do you have test kits to check for pH, alkalinity, ammonia and nitrates? Also, do you have a hydrometer to check the specific gravity (salinity) of the water? If you do, please post the results of the tests. If not, I suggest you purchase these things, test and then let us know.

Acclimation to your tank conditions is important, too. If conditions in the tanks where you purchase the fish are too different from yours, that can cause fish deaths.

How big is your puffer? They can get quite large and yours will outgrow your 30 gallon tank. He may even decide to eat some of your new fishes. :shock:

 

[MCSInc]

What type were the worms??? Were they dark red with a lighter red ends? Bristles? Funny that they were in the filter media also. Do you see these same worms in the sand/gravel/rubble? Is the worm issue something that you see each time you lose a fish or just this one time. Hmmm.

Are you aclimating each new occupant carefully.

Do you have any snails? or Hermits? If so how are they doing?

Just trying to find something that will clue us in.

Do the fish at your supplier look and act healthy.

Lawnmower blenneys need greens. Mine would graze happily on a sheet of "seaweed salad" but I understand that you didn't even get a chance to get that far.

We keep our temp at 80 and our salinity at 1.026.

But make sure your thermometer and salinity gage are working accurately. We want to help.

 

[aeris]

the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and ph are always ok. .. the salinity level is between 0.021-0.023.... is that too low? The thermometer I'll have to buy it.... and the temp may be having drastic changes since i have the aquarium in my room, and at night the a/c is turned on.
About the worms......that was the first and the last time I saw them, they were like a light brown.

I'll have to save some $$$ to buy the skimmer. .. and the chiller
..... right?

Oh....I have one snail, and he's doing ok...and the puffer,,, I think he'll take over the aquarium. ..




and Thanx 2 everyone for trying to help

 

[bradreef]

just buy a bak pak off ebay for under 100 and also a small chiller like the one that you insert through a bulkhead hole. that should also be a hundred. If you room gets over 80 degrees than you either need to move it to a new location or get a chiller

 

[aeris]

Any book recommendations ??

 

[MWSALT]

The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Robert Fenner. Will cost you about $20.

 

[aeris]

thanx...sounds like a great book.

 

[aeris]

Is the SeaClone SCPS-100 Protein Skimmer good?

 

[aeris]

Why do anemones turn smaller in my tank? does this have to do with the temp?

 

[Katchupoy]

I think having anemones for a beginner is a disaster. These are animals for advanced reefers. Not to bash you or something. And I apologize if I am.