Regarding shrimp

[Melonbob]

I was at the LFS this afternoon, he did a water test for me, and these are the official results.

sg 1.022
amm 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 2
calcium 350
alk 2.9
phos = trace

So things are looking great other than the diatom eruption that turned 3/4 of my rock an ugly tobacco brown....lol

I looked at a few clowns, and the lfs steered me away from them for now, he said he doesn't like adding fish until the second water change. (Mind you he never mentioned a skimmer when he was setting us up either) He said a pair of shrimp would be a good choice at this point, and recommended blood(fire) shrimp as they are not as "in your face" as cleaners. This set off alarm bells as I remembered some of you saying to avoid shrimp right away. Anyways, as much as I was looking forward to some life in there, I ended up leaving empty handed........~~q:

 

[yote]

You basically did the right thing about the shrimp.Shrimp dont like instability.
I dont see any reason you couldnt go ahead and add a couple of clowns.They will be fine untill your skimmer gets there.

 

[yote]

What brand salt are you using?
Your calcium is just a tad bit low,but thats not a big deal untill you get started with some LPS corals.

 

[Melonbob]

yeah, thats what he told me regarding calcium, I do have some calcium supplement already, and got some purple up coming. I might get some clowns then and let him know I have a skimmer coming. I hate telling him about all this stuff I'm buying online, rather than from him...... (;

 

[reeffreak]

You did the right thing.I believe fish would be a better choice now then shrimps.

 

[yote]

Just dont tell him your buying some stuff online.
Dont let him talk you into buying stuff you dont need or aint ready for either.There are a lot of LFS that will try their best to get you buy something that either wont work,or will die within a week or so.

 

[Melonbob]

marineland instant ocean

 

[Bifferwine]

I think shrimp are one of those things that if you added them now, there's a good chance they wouldn't make it. Good choice in leaving empty handed. If you want, go back and get those clowns. I think they'll be fine. And I'd also like to say THANK YOU for doing your research before you buy animals! You would be surprised how many people go in to a fish store, see something pretty, have no idea what it is or how to take care of it, and bring it home, only to have it die on them.

 

[Melonbob]

My wife is so brutal, we went back and bought two clowns. She also mentioned to him that we have a skimmer and lighting coming in the mail. He got that funny look on his face.....(:

So our first tank inhabitants are Shampoo and Conditioner!

 

[RigoSharon]

hehehe..dont forget to post pics soon..what species of clown are they??

 

[Bifferwine]

With equipment, most fish stores sell it at twice the price you can get it online. I don't know anyone that doesn't buy at least some stuff online. Don't feel bad about it!

 

[Melonbob]

Ocellaris.....our very first fish

 

[RigoSharon]

thats one of my favorite clowns..great choice!!

 

[MikMcgyver]

Grats on the new fishy friends, post up pics when ya get a chance... Names are cool too...

 

[yote]

Good choice on the clowns,You'll love em.

 

[Melonbob]

OK, here they are, people meet Shampoo and Conditioner....

 

[Bifferwine]

Nice looking fish! They look healthy. Congrats.

 

[yote]

Those are a great looking pair of clowns.

 

[RigoSharon]

heheh..catchy names..whats with the garden hose??

 

[Melonbob]

Lol, thats my heater, no hose in my tank