I am taking care for my neighbor's saltwater aquarium for an apparent indefinite period. (Originally this was for 2 weeks but now its 2 months going on 3). He basically left me with minimal instructions and I am not able to contact him while he is gone (long story.). Worse yet, his friends and family who know I am taking care of the tanks dont even have the decency to communicate with us as to what we're supposed to do.
I believe he has a 60 gallon tank with the following:
1 coral banded shrimp
3 snails
1 Kaudern cardinalfish
1 Hawaiian tang
1 Naso Blonde tang
1 shrimp (unidentified)
3 other fish I havent identified yet.
1 coral unidentified that now appears to be different then 2 months ago. I think it might be a white Pom Pom Xenia
He originally told me to feed them every 3 days but since its now been over 2 months I decided to feed them less but do it every day. His friend claimed that we should add new water every 2 weeks but didnt even tell me that it was saltwater (I had to figure this out for myself). However he left me with no care instructions for the saltwater or how much water to add. In the meantime I have bought some test kits to reveal the water quality:
Nitrate 20 ppm
PH 7.8
Ammonia - 0
At this point I am not sure if the water should be changed or how much? I been feeding the fish the same food that he had by the tank (fish flakes and some pellets.) The fish seem to be doing OK so far but naturally being a complete newbie I am concerned. I have bought some books which indicate that this PH level is too low. ONe more thing is that the coral seemed to be doing ok until last week. It now appears to be all shriveled up and discolored.
Any advice is appreciated.
Joe
I believe he has a 60 gallon tank with the following:
1 coral banded shrimp
3 snails
1 Kaudern cardinalfish
1 Hawaiian tang
1 Naso Blonde tang
1 shrimp (unidentified)
3 other fish I havent identified yet.
1 coral unidentified that now appears to be different then 2 months ago. I think it might be a white Pom Pom Xenia
He originally told me to feed them every 3 days but since its now been over 2 months I decided to feed them less but do it every day. His friend claimed that we should add new water every 2 weeks but didnt even tell me that it was saltwater (I had to figure this out for myself). However he left me with no care instructions for the saltwater or how much water to add. In the meantime I have bought some test kits to reveal the water quality:
Nitrate 20 ppm
PH 7.8
Ammonia - 0
At this point I am not sure if the water should be changed or how much? I been feeding the fish the same food that he had by the tank (fish flakes and some pellets.) The fish seem to be doing OK so far but naturally being a complete newbie I am concerned. I have bought some books which indicate that this PH level is too low. ONe more thing is that the coral seemed to be doing ok until last week. It now appears to be all shriveled up and discolored.
Any advice is appreciated.
Joe
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