55 Gallon Setup

[jpeavytx]

I've been looking around this site for sometime and all you guys seem to know about anything and everything. I just set-up a 55 gallon tank two weeks ago and need some advice. I have a DSB, 75lbs LR, Protein Skimmer, 2 Powerheads and about to purchase some lighting. I think when the time comes I'm going to start out with a pair of maroon clowns, if they can be found. The question I have is can I put a pair in there and add an anemone down the road or is it best to add it when I add the clowns? What are some good starter fish to look at to get this thing going in a few weeks? I plan on putting corals and mushrooms in the tank and don't want anything that will/may be tempted to destroy them. Thanks in advance

 

[jarre]

Welcome to the board. If you search online and don't have a problem ordering your fish online then mated pairs are that difficult to find.
I cycled my tank with a domino damsel and won't do it again. When I find a good home for him he's gone. Pretty fish and enjoy watching him, just don't care to be bitten everytime I put my hand in the tank and he chases the tang and my maroon clown.
I haven't had the experience of aggression from the clown, nor the disruption of corals or sand. I did have a bubble tip aemone waiting for it though, which could explain why I haven't. I've heard of others that have used xenia in place of the aemone for the clowns with success.
jwtrojan44 is absolutely correct about the lighting! Some of us have learned the hard way and have spent more time and money as a result of the wrong lighting then it would have cost for strong lighting to begin with. Not to mention the poor corals!!
Again welcome to the board!!

 

[jumpfrog]

Can't add anything, just wanted to say welcome and keep the questions coming. Most of us made mistakes along the way and there is much to learn.
Again, welcome aboard and Good Luck!

 

[magic]

welcome

 

[jpeavytx]

Well the guy at the LFS told me to bring in a water sample today so he could check it out and see if I was ready for a damsel or a clown. He checked the parameters and said everything looked good for only 2 weeks. Granted he said my cycle should be much quicker than usual since I went with all LS and cured LR. So I went ahead and purchased a Tomato Clown and he is happy in his new home! That little sucker will not come out from the rocks for his life, but I'm sure it will take some time to get used to everything.
About the lighting situation. I have been thinking this over and over again, and just dont know what to do. IS there any difference in lighting between SPS corals and mushrooms/polyps/soft corals? I know SPS corals need much more light than mushrooms/polyps/soft corals, but how much more? Should I just spring for the lighting that will help the corals thrive just in case I decide I want to add them down the line and not have to change everything out? As far as cost goes I know its not cheap for the lighting, but I don't want to buy something I will have to replace in a year or two. Granted I'm a college student and don't have money flowing out of my ears and don't want to sell one of my kidneys on the black market. What is the best lighting for my money? VHO or PC or MH? Any and all information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[magic]

well Im no great fish keeper but I can tell you what I have done, I put out the $$$ to get the better light, and then about 3 months down the road I put my first coral in and he is doing great, as for the clown fish, I could not wait to get a clown,I love them, so I got two the first 2weeks my tank was set up, and they lived for about 5 days, and at $20 a fish that hurt.

 

[angelofdeath132]

welcome! looks like you're off to a good start! when i set up my 55 i cycled with damsels wish i would'nt have now! mean

[hr]
!! they've turned on each other killing each other off!anyway, if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask! these guys(and girls) are great here! they've helped me sooooooo much!! never would have started in the hobby without them!!