[Azreal]

So I think I'm on week 7 or 8 of a new tank. Fish have been in for 2 weeks total now. I've lost 2 of 5 chromis and I have one "missing"....so I assume he hid in a rock to die.

Anyway, I have all kinds of colorful growth everywhere!! I think I have hair algae (looks like the roots of a plant growing out of the rock), purple, red and brown growing all over the rocks.

I'll add some pictures tonight and hopefully you guys can help me identify any problems I might have.

Also my LFS told me not to do a water change until I had fish in there for 2-3 weeks. My protein skimmer isn't up and running yet, so I'm wondering if I should do that sooner than later....

[Sikkob]

You need to test your water for amonia and nitrites / nitrattes to see how high they are, I wouldnt take the advice your LFS gave you...imagine being in a trapped garage with the car running and you slowly suffocate. That is what a fish is feeling when there is amonia and nitrites / nitrates in the tank.

[Azreal]

Yes I need to pick up the testing kit. I should add that I have been adding RO water every few days to keep it at a certain level and replace the evaporation. Salinity is always around 1.023-1.025.

Found my 3rd little guy that's hiding. One of my 3 HUGE live rocks has a big crevice in the center of it. He's inside barely breathing on his side