im fairily new to clownfish, and i got one in trouble. please help!

[CarmieJo]

Boyesreef,

First, I am sorry that you lost your clowns. It is disappointing to loose fish. I too would like to see the other parameters. I do agree with the other posts that your tank is probably overstocked. It is also possible the the new clown brought some disease in with it. I don't recall reading if you QT'd it or not but QT is good standard practice.

[boyesreef]

thanks guys, ill be the first to admit im going too fast. i do bodywork on custom cars for a living, so im used to detail, painstaking work. but seeing all your guys tanks just gets my blood rushing. im having trouble reminding myself that this is my first tank, and i jump into things. i just picked up a twenty gallon high rise tank by all-glass, a penguin bio-wheel 150 filter, and a top with a 10,000K full spectrum flourecent tube light for 20 bucks at the local salvation army. i was thinking sick tank, but im not sure. or should i make that my display, and the 14 bio into a qt? i think all i ned to make it a display is a skimmer and a power head, possibly a metal halide in the future. right now i want to leave the bio-cube as a coral/invert only tank, and my anenome is in the 20 gallon. im just starting this journy, and i appreciate you guys being there to guide me along the way. ill inform you guys all along the way on what im looking to do before i do so.

p.s. my water test kit is just a basic fifty dollar set. all it test for is calcium, alkalinity, nitrates and phosphates. i cant afford the good test kits. anybody know of anyone whom is willing to donate ANYTHING is a very very very well appreciated gift. thanks all!

[Pinecone_Jeff]

Originally Posted by boyesreef

im just starting this journy, and i appreciate you guys being there to guide me along the way. ill inform you guys all along the way on what im looking to do before i do so.

We've all been there, brothuh! And we'll all be there for you now too!

[JeffDubya]

Originally Posted by boyesreef

my water test kit is just a basic fifty dollar set. all it test for is calcium, alkalinity, nitrates and phosphates. i cant afford the good test kits. anybody know of anyone whom is willing to donate ANYTHING is a very very very well appreciated gift. thanks all!

That is one bizarre kit.

Your basic kit should cover pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate. And you don't have to purchase expensive test kits, Aquarium Pharmecuticals (now API) sells the very kit I am describing for $35.

Now, you get what you pay for. The exensive salifert tests are much more accurate. It's the difference between regular and HD television. You can get the job done with API but as you advance into the hobby you will probably want to have a few key salifert tests. (and FWIW, I don't own an HDTV. Take that however you want.)

But you need to read and understand how to cycle your tank and what the nitrogen cycle is and how it works. You need to be able to test for its' components and track your results over time. Right now, you can't do that. Respectfully, 3 out of 4 of your tests have VERY LITTLE to do with fish health and general water quality. Sounds more like a test kit set designed for the beginning coral enthusiast.

(See podcast #2 from this site, or...)

The Nitrogen Cycle Beginner FAQ: The Nitrogen Cycle
Ammonia Ammonia and the Reef Aquarium by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com
Nitrite Nitrite and the Reef Aquarium by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

Oh, and throw away that bio-wheel filter, or give it to someone who keeps freshwater fish.

[boyesreef]

time for an update. i added a 170 gallon per hour power head, green clown goby, two percula clowns, and a peppermint shrimp. everyones happy, and has been for about a month.you guys were very right as usual, took my time, did homework, slept on it, did more homework, counted to ten, then more homework, then made my desision. move quick and fail is true. and my flame scallop has lived longer that the three months in captivity that i read everywhere. im happy, he is beautifull.