Advice Please, sm. SW, FOWLR set up, cycling mostly, stkg. issues...   4/2/13
Hello WWM! I am new to your site and have thoroughly enjoyed reading as much information as possible. I have found many things by reading previous emails and the answers you have provided to them but still wanted to write a personal email to answer my questions specific to me. I am also new to the saltwater aquarium world and getting really obsessed with it quickly, lol. My problems actually started out with my LFS when i purchased my tank as they did not provide me with adequate information, and now I know I should have done my research and reading before actually purchasing and going through what I have been through.
<Mmm, I strongly encourage your careful (and enjoyable!) reading through one or more "marine aquarium handbook" volumes... yes, books! Only way/method I know of to "get" complete coverage of major aspects...>
 ( slowly learning but very eager to learn from my mistakes, hence requesting as much helpful information from you) So here is what i have:
30gal tank FOWLR, heater, 1 Aqueon 30 filter, 1 Aqueon 20 Filter, 1 800gph powerhead, about 25-30lbs live sand, and about 25lbs of LR. I used Instant Ocean salt when setting up my tank and have been using it for the water changes, I also have well water.
<Do you imbibe/use this water 'straight" for potable purposes? I would likely (very) look into an RO system here for you and your aquarium>
 Temp steady at 76 degrees, water tested weekly and all shows just right, top off with fresh water daily, and check the salinity daily as well which stays around 1.023-1.024. Tank has now been up for a little over a month now. The LFS said after setting up my tank for 48 hours with the live sand and cured LR I could add fish
<I wouldn't do this...>
 ( they failed to mention that I needed to let the tank cycle for at least 4-6 weeks before adding fish). So 48 hours later I went back and purchased 1 Yellow Tang ( yes now I know it was too big for my size tank) 1 Black Saddleback Clownfish, 1 Green Striped Mandarin ( also know that the tank was not mature enough for this fish yet), 1 Chocolate Chip Starfish,
<Not easily kept>
2 blue leg hermit crabs, 2 Astraea Snails, and 1 Zebra Turbo Snail. 3 weeks later my Clownfish was at the top of the water breathing heavily and almost gulping for air at the top, then soon after, he died. I immediately removed him from the tank. Everyone else seemed to be doing fine. Three hours later my YT started doing the same thing and also starting turning red and splotchy on his sides and fins and around his face ( I am thinking that if this was Ich, maybe the red is from him contracting a secondary bacterial infection from it??),
<Both these losses are easily attributed to simply the tank/water "being new"; in essence "burning" them, their gills, hemolyzing their RBCs>
shortly after that he was gone too, the next day my mandarin was gone too ( never saw him at the top gasping for air). I was so upset that I lost all of the fish, especially my tang as he was the most entertaining fish in my tank. I took a water sample in to my LFS and my water levels were perfect.
<... know that the store can only test "for some things"... Not test for what may be at fault>
I waited about a week and bought two Chromis to put in the tank and see how they did, they lasted about 4 days. I am pretty sure I noticed on the fish the "white spots" on the fins and tail of the Chromis and by the time I was going to the LFS the next morning to get the medicine for them they were dead. I am guessing that this was Ich?
<Again, not likely>
Could that be what killed all of my other fish and me being a newbie just did not notice the signs of this? If so what can i do now?
<Punt, as the saying goes. Do nothing... as in just wait that 4-6 weeks>
 The only thing that is still surviving in my tank now is my Chocolate Chip Starfish, 2 Astraea Snails, 1 Zebra Turbo Snail, and 2 Blue leg hermit crabs. I am guessing my best bet would be to go "fallow" for a month,
<Ah yes>
and continue to do my 25% water changes every two weeks as I have been doing, but then again I am not sure, that is why i am here asking for all of the advice I can get because I do not want to harm anymore fish, and honestly do not want to lose any more money than I have already lost :(. So sorry for this being so long I tried to include every single detail that I possibly could. I am also saving up to get a protein skimmer as I am sure this will help out my tank as well. Thank you in advance for all of the information you can provide for me! - Jenn -
<Take your time... this is indeed not a race... enjoy the reading... see your local library, read the reviews of current works... on the Net, perhaps Amazon.com... Your system will settle in, and you'll be able to add species, specimens that can do well. Bob Fenner>

Fowlr health    6/8/12
Hey Crew, So I thought things were getting better in my tank. My dwarf lion fish, and Moorish idols color have faded. My lions color is suppose to be red and he is white. My Moorish Idol color is faded.  They both are eating, but seem to be stressing. Ammonia 0. Nitrate 0, Nitrite 0, pH 8.23, S.G 1.024, and temp 79. I can not figure out whats going on.
<Jim... do search, read on WWM re both these species husbandry. Zanclus are not easily kept>
 I have been doing everything exactly to the T! It seem they are really healthy for about three weeks and then they start to go down hill. My guess is there is some kind of bacteria in my tank.
<And/or their metabolites working your fishes woe>
I replaced the poly filter and charcoal a few days ago. I am very lost and really need some help before my tank crashes again. Jim
<Move these fishes elsewhere if you can in the short term. Bob Fenner>
Re: Fowlr health    6/18/12
Hi Bob, I have not got my porcupine puffer, and snowflake eel to eat in about two weeks. They are swimming around and seem healthy, but not sure if there poisoned from the high nitrites and ammonia when my quarantine tank was cycling. Nitrite, nitrate, and ammonia is zero and been that way for about five days. I have been adding vita-chem today and yesterday. Is there anything else I can do? Jim
<Mmm, yes... add food stimulants... Vitamin and HUFA mixtures... these are available as commercial prep.s... Microvit, Selcon, and many more. Add these to foods and directly to the water. B>
Re: Fowlr health   6/21/12
Hi Bob, I have been trying Selcon. I still can not get them to eat. I squirt some in the tank and then soak raw shrimp, jumbo Mysis, and krill in Selcon. water quality is perfect. Do you have any more ideas? Jim
<Just patience... try offering food twice a day. B>