Guide for newbies

[Balz3352]

Hey guys. My sister's friends bought a house recently and the previous owners left a small tank in the basement including a clown. Im going to head over there in a week and give thwm a rundown of some general pointers.


What pointers should I give/what do you think are the most common mistakes made?

I already corrected adding saltwater for top off. What else

 

[SynDen]

That can be a long list. What other equip do they have? What else is in the tank?
If just a clown, then an RoDI and a decent salt for occasional water changes, hydrometer, basic ATO, skimmer, heater and basic light is all they really need. Dont need anything real fancy for just a fish. Need more if there is corals involved obviously, although with anything saltwater they just need to DO THEIR RESEARCH. Know whats in the tank and what it needs.

 

[Balz3352]

That can be a long list. What other equip do they have? What else is in the tank?
If just a clown, then an RoDI and a decent salt for occasional water changes, hydrometer, basic ATO, skimmer, heater and basic light is all they really need. Dont need anything real fancy for just a fish. Need more if there is corals involved obviously, although with anything saltwater they just need to DO THEIR RESEARCH. Know whats in the tank and what it needs.

That's the thing I don't know and they aren't great at describing it. I think it's a fowlr and sounds like a 20tall.
Think it's necessary for a rodi if it's a fowlr?

 

[SynDen]

Well I wouldnt use tap water even in a fowlr, can lead to crazy algae blooms, which would kill any possibility of them maintaining this over the long termI think. But if it just a 20g you could certainly stick to buying RO and fresh saltwater from the LFS like once a month instead

 

[Balz3352]

Well I wouldnt use tap water even in a fowlr, can lead to crazy algae blooms, which would kill any possibility of them maintaining this over the long termI think. But if it just a 20g you could certainly stick to buying RO and fresh saltwater from the LFS like once a month instead

That's what I'm thinking. I'll have a better idea when I see the tank next week. Hopefully some decent stuff.

 

[Sctip]

I would agree a FOWLR still needs good water the problems that can come from tap water is ridiculous. The kind that would turn them away from the hobby real quick. But if it is just a clown the maintenance would be pretty easy just make sure they do a lot of research before adding more to it. Make sure they stay patient, I would try to explain to them the dangers of doing anything in a hurry. The light and skimmer is not as important with just a fish. Regular water changes will be a must. I had a 20g tall packed full of coral and four fish successfully with a 5 gallon water change every week.

Ask and you may find out, don't ask and you will never know.

 

[projectx]

I have a small 100gpd RO DI unit I am selling. Make me an offer.

I would recommend they get test kits, ammonia, Nitrate, PH to start. If they are anything like the rest of us they will prob want a bigger tank soon enough lol

 

[Balz3352]

I'm hoping to keep them interested in the hobby but when you're thrown into it like this it can be intimidating to say the least

 

[Sctip]

I'm hoping to keep them interested in the hobby but when you're thrown into it like this it can be intimidating to say the least

Absolutely, they could very easily become overwhelmed.

Ask and you may find out, don't ask and you will never know.

 

[Haddonisreef]

Any update? I have had good luck useing prime w tap water but my tds was low out the tap.


May the reef be w you