Beginners Help

Question
Hello Paul,
I really need some good guidance here!
I sadly began my hobby about three months ago when my son decided that he wanted to have "Nemo" on a casual trip to the pet shop.  Not knowing how intricate the procedure was and being so nieve that I believed the sales person, I started the set up with crushed corral and live rock.  About two weeks later I added a Danzel and the infamous Clown fish and a week later since I was so praised by the pet shop on my water test I added a sea urchin and a chocolate chip star fish.  Now, I said sadly at the beginning of my plead because as experienced as you are you probably guessed that it didn't work out too well.  A month and a half into the whole thing algae was everywhere on my tank, I had worms, and my star fish was breaking into pieces, to top it off my sea urchin didn't make the next water change either.  The poor thing began to loose his spines at a speed I could not stop and before I knew it my tribal efforts to assist were not enough.  The "experienced salt water personnel" from the pet store did not know what to do.  The water test was outstanding and they didn't know why I was loosing my fish.  Anyway, THANKFULLY I found a specialized salt water aquarium store who was able to guide me in the right direction and I purchased a skimmer and a power head.  I gave you my full story so that you can hopefully feel my pain and help me out...  In addition to the No.1 Nemo (because I don't know how the little thing has hung in there for so long), the Danzel, half a dozen snails and half a dozen hermit crabs; I have a thermometer, a heater, about 20lbs of live rock and an inch of crushed corral in a 30 gal. tank; I have the power head and a skimmer and now I'm really into this because it's a challenge for me not to let down this little fish that has hung in there with me.  Is there ANYTHING else that you would suggest I look into?

Thank you so much,
Jackie

Answer
hi, sorry to hear of your troubles. unfortunatly it seems to be the trend for these so called marine shops to give crappy advice. i find going to the marine fish specialist store you will always get better advice, these guys rely on your return business so will hardly ever try to steer you wrong.

the clown fish and damsel fish are both of the same species and they are very hardy. one thing i will say is try and reserch everything you wan't before you purchase it, 99% of marine fish are wild caught and will not do well in a 30gal aquarium.

i would also invest in some test kits and do your own tests, its best to buy the kits seperatly as the big all in one kits are pretty odd, in the fact that 2 kits may be acurate and the others may be rubbish.

if you don't already use RO water and the best quality salt you can find, i also find a measured ammount of essential elements does the corals wonders. if you have any other questions just give me a shout