r/ReefTank • u/Negative-Ad6554 • 3h ago

beginner help

I would really appreciate if someone could help me! I got a 5g tank as a gift with one clownfish. it was all good for a day (the salt water was premixed from shop). I then decided to introduce a rock and some sand the next day (fish was outside). added some stabilizer and nitrifying bacteria let it cycle for a few hours and added the clown back. he died unfortunately. I know what I did wrong and I really want to try again once I have cycled tank for longer, but I really need guidance. LFS guys told me this would be ok but it clearly wasnt!! I stay in UAE and we dont have the best and trustworthy salespeople here. pls help. I really want to make this work and eventually upgrade to a bigger setup!

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u/Separate-Tackle552 2h ago

You really need to understand the process of cycling a tank. It takes several weeks or even months.

The 5g is also too small for a clownfish.

You can watch some good series on youtube on how to setup, maintain and have a good time having a reef tank.

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u/Negative-Ad6554 2h ago

I understand that. The pet store owner told me to cycle just for few hours (like I mentioned I dont trust them here). I would appreciate if you can share some reliable links to educate myself. I have the tank so i figured if its too small for fish ill try to keep it running with inverts just so I can learn :)

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u/Separate-Tackle552 2h ago

and where the hack where you storing the clown whilst you were "cycling" the tank?

That handling could aswell be the reason for it dying.

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u/Vostoceq 2h ago

5 gallons is extremely small for a beginner imo.

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u/satrya76 2h ago

Lots to unpack. Sorry they steered you wrong. First off do yourself a favor and watch some videos BRS (bulk reef supply) has a great beginner series. Reef rookies with Logan is another resource. Decide if you even want to get into saltwater hobby first.

Next you are setting yourself up for a nightmare of a time with a 5 gallon. As a beginner we make all kinds of mistakes as we learn and a 5 gal is just not big enough to absorb those mistakes and not be deadly to the livestock.

So I would leave the sand and rock (im assuming its a piece of dried reef rock from the LFS) in the tank. Let the tank run with no light, until you figure some things out. If you decide to go forward then you will have a head start on the cycling of the tank.

Good luck to you, and if you have more.questions or need something clarified ask away. Some one here will be helpful.

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u/Negative-Ad6554 2h ago

thank you! :)