Couldn't be more stoked...

[ShelbyJK500]

Had a rollercoaster day, but ended very well I think. Thought I would share!

These are my first additions off my stock list, that have gone into my QT setup. Fingers crossed I can pull all this off.

First, Blueface Angel...#1 on the list, Aquamart had the perfect sized guy. Appears healthy and is already eating (also demonstrated at Aquamart).

 

[ShelbyJK500]

Second, Achilles Tang...#1 on my list (after Angels). This was a Craigslist gem, hopefully it turns out that way! This was basically a rescue. The owner, who knew very little about saltwater from speaking to him, had this beautiful fish with a huge moorish idol, several tangs, some other fish, and a clown trigger. All in probably a 90g tank. Anyhow, it only took one guess to figure out who had been taking out this beauty's fins. It is on the downside of some ick from what the owner told me, though there are no visible signs right now. He showed me she was eating fine. Sure enough, got her home and very active and started eating right away, some algae on a clip and some ER feast. I'll run some copper for a short time and then observe for a good while while she heals up. LOVE this fish...fingers crossed I can keep her healthy and happy.

Neighbors...

 

[ShelbyJK500]

And lastly, a complete impulse buy...and a big one. I never thought I would spend so much on clown fish, EVER. My better half fell in love and the rest is history. "Fancy Snow Clowns" as they were labeled. Props to Aquamart for having some awesome livestock today, at some pretty decent prices!

Already showing interest in my RBTA, unfortunately the RBTA has picked a complete upper corner of the tank. It'll happen!

 

[Haddonisreef]

Very cool fish! Good luck w qting them!

 

[Bajamike]

very nice love those clowns

 

[Wicked Color]

Very cool!! on a side note I have heard from many people rocks in QT is a no-no, as the fish have a place the flash, and potentially worsen wounds and infections ~fwiw

 

[scchase]

I saw thar achilles too nice grab wish I would have had a home for it

 

[KhensuRa]

Loving the tang and the clowns.

 

[ShelbyJK500]

Thanks all, couldn't have been happier with that fish shopping day!! Probably won't have another experience like that for awhile.

I saw thar achilles too nice grab wish I would have had a home for it

I'd spill what I actually picked up the achilles for...HOWEVER, it didn't make it.

SAD DAY. Maybe the seller knew something I didn't. It didn't show ANY outward signs of ick or parasites. Appeared a touch thin, but ate like a pig last night and this afternoon before I left for work. From what I understand, the biggest issue with Achilles is getting them to eat, not the problem here. Ate all the Elite Reef formula I put in, and continually took to the algae clip.

Water was out of my main displays, biofilter present, ammonia "0", actively swimming around and not skittish at all! Everything seemed to be humming for success?? Oh well, I honestly was looking at it like a rescue since he had been beat up by a clown trigger and the owner said he had been battling with ick recently, but had been treated.

Leads me to a quick question. Since the fish was said to have ick...should I bleach clean everything in that QT to use it again for fish without ich? I was going to start copper when I got home, but there was obviously no need at that point. So copper hasn't been used in this tank.

 

[ShelbyJK500]

Very cool!! on a side note I have heard from many people rocks in QT is a no-no, as the fish have a place the flash, and potentially worsen wounds and infections ~fwiw

I hadn't heard that before. The only issue I had read researched with rock, is that if you treat copper or any other "leaching" treatment, that the rock could not be reused. I planned for that and just threw a couple pieces I didn't care about in the QT's. I'm curious if it's more of a concern in a "hospital" tank where fish have those issues with wounds/infections. I probably should have considered that with the Achilles. Hadn't heard that suggestion until you mentioned it though! Good food for thought.

 

[bsharpe]

Great looking QT set up and nice fish, sorry about the Achilles

 

[ShelbyJK500]

Great looking QT set up and nice fish, sorry about the Achilles

Thanks, it's still a work in progress...but functional for now. I'll probably cut back after I get the bulk of my livestock in but that'll be awhile. And, totally bummed about the Achilles. I was looking forward to the rewarding challenge of nursing a beautiful fish I've always wanted, successfully back into good health. Strange how it ended. Moving on...

 

[MartinsReef]

I hadn't heard that before. The only issue I had read researched with rock, is that if you treat copper or any other "leaching" treatment, that the rock could not be reused. I planned for that and just threw a couple pieces I didn't care about in the QT's. I'm curious if it's more of a concern in a "hospital" tank where fish have those issues with wounds/infections. I probably should have considered that with the Achilles. Hadn't heard that suggestion until you mentioned it though! Good food for thought.

Shelby, I have ran QT tanks on and off for 15 years and I have used the same piece of LR (deadRock) in my 45 gal QT with no prob's. Like you said just don't EVER put it in the display tank.
As for the Achilles it has been my under standing that they need very high levels of disolved oxygen to survive and may been the cause of death. Also with ICH, if you just leave the tank alone with lights off and no fish, then the parasite has nowhere to host and will die off in 30 days. If you do not want to wait that long, I do have a Killer UV sterilizer that you can borrow if you would like

~Martin

 

[ShelbyJK500]

Shelby, I have ran QT tanks on and off for 15 years and I have used the same piece of LR (deadRock) in my 45 gal QT with no prob's. Like you said just don't EVER put it in the display tank.
As for the Achilles it has been my under standing that they need very high levels of disolved oxygen to survive and may been the cause of death. Also with ICH, if you just leave the tank alone with lights off and no fish, then the parasite has nowhere to host and will die off in 30 days. If you do not want to wait that long, I do have a Killer UV sterilizer that you can borrow if you would like

~Martin

Martin, thanks a ton for your input, especially based on your years of experience. Since it's not a lot of water and I may be needing it very soon for more fish, I'll probably clean it using a bleach dilution, or maybe vinegar?? Thanks a ton for the offer on the UV! I just don't want to risk not running a UV long enough, or letting it run fallow long enough. If it were a much larger QT tank, maybe. Easy to clean I'm thinking.

Question for you. I've noticed about every 48 hours now, I see rising ammonia levels. I put a large piece of established filter media in the HOB filter...and have that piece of liverock in there. Do I need more rock or filter media? The last two ammonia "spikes" (small rise), I siphoned out any garbage in the tank and did a 15% water change. In a pinch or to extend the time between doing this, would you recommend using Prime to bind the ammonia? My understanding is that when testing for ammonia, if you use prime or a binder, the tests will still show raised levels. Just want to make sure I can keep everything in check...hopefully without having to do this on several tanks every other day!

 

[MartinsReef]

First are you talking about the QT tank or is this a main display? (Is it new?) If its your QT tank: IME I have always used water from my main display so it would be the same ph, CA, DKH and Mag levels. I would just use a HOB filter with a new pad NO carbon and this is why. !.)No ammonia spike 2.)When I set up this way I add non copper base RX meds/vitamins to the tank and alway RX meds with tangs. I keep my ph and temp the same so ther is little adjustment/acclimating to be done when adding the fish to the main tank, so the water in the QT tank is about as close as possible to the main with the exception of the RX MEDs. If this is not the case and it is your main display then I would need more info and if it is a new tank than it is normal to get an ammonia spike but you know that. Get me some more info and I bet we can figure it out.

Martin

 

[RuRoo]

Congrats on the clowns. They're an awesome buy and I like Aquamart. Are they a mated pair?

 

[ShelbyJK500]

Congrats on the clowns. They're an awesome buy and I like Aquamart. Are they a mated pair?

Thanks! Aquamart has definitely come around since 6 months or so ago!! They are mated, and awesome together. If only I can get them to host the RBTA in the tank. The smaller one has shown interest in it a few times...but the d@mn RBTA keeps moving all over!

 

[ShelbyJK500]

First are you talking about the QT tank or is this a main display? (Is it new?) If its your QT tank: IME I have always used water from my main display so it would be the same ph, CA, DKH and Mag levels. I would just use a HOB filter with a new pad NO carbon and this is why. !.)No ammonia spike 2.)When I set up this way I add non copper base RX meds/vitamins to the tank and alway RX meds with tangs. I keep my ph and temp the same so ther is little adjustment/acclimating to be done when adding the fish to the main tank, so the water in the QT tank is about as close as possible to the main with the exception of the RX MEDs. If this is not the case and it is your main display then I would need more info and if it is a new tank than it is normal to get an ammonia spike but you know that. Get me some more info and I bet we can figure it out.

Martin

Martin, thanks again for your reply. I am talking about my QT with the blueface angel. I bought simple setup 29g tanks for QT'ing. I filled with water from my display and when I have done water changes, I have used display water as well. The tanks have simple HOB filters. I cut-to-fit filter pads from my display's sump, and placed them in for the filters in the HOB's. I did this based on everything I've researched for getting biofiltration going. I added the small piece of liverock just for added biofilter. I'm trying not to overfeed the blueface. I feed twice a day though because he is a pig...flakes before work and frozen after. I try to feed only what he will finish eating, but there is always residual. Wondering if this residual along with fish waste is causing the ammonia increase, over what the biofiltration can handle?

You mentioned using a "new" filter in the HOB without carbon. I definitely knew to keep any carbon out. Should I not be using already live/bio-active filter media? I may be getting my two new angel additions soon, so I'm hoping to work out the kinks in these setups! Thanks again for the awesome input...

 

[MartinsReef]

No, it sound as your doing everything right. Maybe siphoning the waste out every day. I would hate for you to use a binder and in inhibits any meds if your using any. How much ammonia swing are you getting?

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

 

[Denver aquarist]

What kind of flow do you have in your tank? The RBTA shouldnt have any direct flow on him once it doesnt he will stay in that place. I like those clowns they are nice. I think I saw them for $150 a pair.