Hi everyone. Posted in FOWLR thread previously and realised this should be more appropriate here. Mods, please delete the other thread, sorry for inconvenience caused.
Hi everyone.
I am pretty new to this hobby (3 weeks) and found this website just days ago. Just managed to find some time to read some of the threads in detail and found out that i probably had done many wrong things right from the start though mostly are from advices from LFS.
Some details of my setup are as follow:
1) Wrong tank type(fresh water tank) 63 X 37 X 45cm (L X W X H, abt 100Litres) with overflow filter system and inbuilt light system with closed lid. I was told by LFS that the close lid with light system will increase the temperature of the tank and is not advisable. Currently, I had improvised and kept the lid half closed and with fan blowing at it whenever the lights are on. Temperature are usually 29-30 degree celsius.
2) Added a wavemaker to increase flow in the tank as advised by LFS due to overflow system.
3) 5kg of live rocks (cycled in LFS) added to my newly mixed saltwater on the second day after the filter is being run for 1 full day. Live rocks came with 3 tube/pipe worms as LFS called it (I saw the pics online calling it feather duster). Some life forms noticed during the "cycling" period like a small transparent shrimp and 2 centripedes like worms (bristleworms most likely). Gf said she saw a white crab before too.
4)Added coral chips in my filter system and used a filter material supposedly reducing nitrate/nitrite level.
5)On the 10th day, spoke to another LFS and he said that I could go ahead and buy fish as there's no point cycling my tank since it is started with cycled live rock. After reading, i believe what he meant is that i got no bio load in my tank hence pointless. Anyway, added two percula clownfish of similar size on that day. Added another 2 damsels(yellow belly), 2 turbo snails, 2 gobies and 1 boxer shrimp(impulse buy with no research) along the way. Good news is that till now all fishes are looking to do well except the 2 gobies that hides in one of the rock most of the time unless during feeding. The clowns always push against them when they comes out. There are also a little chasing here and there between the 2 clowns and 2 damsels.
6) Salinity is thus far stable at 1.022-1.026, temperature 29-30 degree celcisu as previous mentioned. change 10% water once a week. Wanted to get other kits to do the PH, ammonia, etc testing but LFS said not required.