Couple questions, new to hobby...

I personally can't stand a lot of rock. It blocks flow, gets clogged up with detritus and gives your fish less swimming room. I run all of my tanks with less than 1lb per gallon. I bet there isn't 15lbs in my 24 gallon tank right now.

I don't mean to cloud this topic and make things even more confusing but just adding rock won't solve anything. It could actually cause more problems in the long run. It will certainly cost more money, that is for sure.

Maybe I shouldn't have posted but after 6 years in the hobby, I know that rock doesn't solve any issues.

PS - I am short timer compared to Grandpa Mark...... Sorry Mark, I had to!

Moosetracks????  It is moosetang, Mark.

You better go snorkeling for a little bit.

LOL that was too good.

Uh oh....this is where it all goes downhill. Hurry say something bad about your tank or the reef gods will do you in. 

The first 6-12 months are the roughest IMO. Around a year you have a pretty good idea of what is going on. Then you get cocky and think you know exactly what is going on. You stop changing water and get off a normal routine and then your tank goes downhill for a little bit. At that point you learn the importance of following a strict routine and things are pretty easy.

However, one of three things happens.

1) You get into SPS heavily

2) You get bored and set up more tanks

3) The wife forces the tank to go

I have had all three! The time frame varies though....

 

The "heavy breathing" your fish are experiencing could very well be a symptom of ozone poisoning.

 

If your ORP level is too high it will damage the fishes gills, which restricts the abiilty of the fish to 'breathe' and sets the fish up for secondary porblems like Ich and fin rot (which it sounds like you may be having, too)...

 

Ozone use can be beneficial in a reef tank, but in your case, with a tank that is fairly "young" and lightly stocked - you do NOT need it.

 

Next -

 

Do you run carbon filtration? If not, that is something your tank could use far more than ozone.

 

Third - Do you feed nori to your tangs? You can get it cheap at any Asian Market. GREAT Tang food!

 

Fourth - Butterfly fish are generally fairly delicate and not a good choice in a tank less than a year old.

 

Don't get discouraged. With a little luck, things should get easier for you going forward.

 

 

 

I could go on and on about the problems I had when I started.... I am surprised I did not give up. However, by having the problems I learned a lot and I am glad I did...

 

There is not one way to set up a tank (which can add to the confusion) but there are certain things that are common (patience is one) so give it time and you will figure out what works for you. Keep it simple for now and let things happen :)