well, I got a turbo snail....

A good skimmer, surface movement and gas exchange will help stabilize some params.

 

yes, you are stocking too quickly. i think your turbo snail has been framed. The too many fish too fast is responsible for your nitrates.

 

there is your problem, the tank has not cyled yet, has nothing to do with the turbo snail.

read these and then come back and ask about anything you still don't understand. we'll get you squared away and on the right path

http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hobby/how-setup-saltwater-aquarium-89044.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hobby/ultimate-newbie-guide-86462.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-aquarium-articles-how-tos/all-about-sumps-filters-fuges-79852.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/protein-skimmers/all-about-skimmers-skimmers-skimmer-85389.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/general-reef-topics/handy-research-links-89299.html






For those of you joining us that are new to the hobby - the best piece of advice you'll get around here as a saltwater newbie is 3Reef's slogan
"Go slow, let it grow."
And for those experianced hobbyists joining us - it's still good advice
good luck and post pics soon

 

Once again K+.
Thanks for all the advice, I am a rock head...

 

Yeah, poor Turbo... totally not his fault, ha ha....

 

LOL ...youre not a rock head man. If I would have known about the dynamics ahead of time, I wouldve taken a few months to study before starting my tank. Instead, I spent allot of $$ and killed 1/2 of eveything for the first year.

 

don't beat yourself up. we have all made mistakes. the patience thing is still tough for me.

 

heres is how I stock my 29 gallon. 1 fish per week. 2 at most if your trying to pair the clowns. For corals I think you can stock them much and fast as you want I think

 

See if the LFS can hold your butterfly to regain it's health and then try and sell it back for credit. Or you can just take him back after you correct the params a bit more. Hopefully it survives! Those are cool fish

 

One thing to be learned here is that you can't always believe what your LFS tells you.One they're in business to sell more to you,and two,a lot of LFS employees may not be as knowledgable as you might think they are.Botom line,they should not have sold you a butterfly for a tank that's been up only 45 days.