55gal First Tank

[jhebi]

Welcome to the boards.....
Regarding the PH'S you have to keep playing with it until you get the best of it....The set up looks good with the fake corals, but IMO in the long run when your tank get more settled, take those damsels out and also fake corals and add some LR, don't need to be much just a little and with time you can add more....
I would also suggest to get a skimmer, a lot of people say they don't need it but IMO I can't go without one, well since is your beginning for a new hobby you will catch up and will love this hobby, and don't forget...
" In this hobby patience is a virtue and your tank will grow beautifully "
Good Luck my friend

 

[oreo12]

Originally Posted by fedukeford
looks nice, id suggest getting rid of the damsels, and the fake coral
That is the look they wanted why would you post something rude like that? Looks nice

 

[600k4]

Originally Posted by Whitey
Hey 600
I notice that you're in South Elgin, which means your LFS is probably Sea Escapes.
I've been going there for years, and it's a nice little store, but since you're new at this I gotta let you know that they will sell you ANYTHING and say it's okay.
They want the cash and know that if you lose fish, you'll be back for more.
I still buy fish from there on occasion, but I don't ask them if something is okay for my tank because I've learned that they will always answer yes. Do your research beforehand.
This site is a great place for that. Ask here, and not the LFS.
Reef Plus is a small store on Randall in N Aruora at the light after Orchard Road.
He's cheaper than Sea Escapes, and won't sell you anything you want.
He's closed on Mondays.
Just some info that might help.
Good luck with the tank

Thanks for the help, I appreciate it. You are correct about Sea Escapes. They will sell you anything, like the fake decorations and they ALWAYS will tell you to buy fish that are too big for ur tank and just say "bring it back when it grows larger. I have ordered a coralife super skimmer online tonight and will be buying more LR this weekend. I wish I had checked out the forums here before buying the decor, the guy at sea escapes just pointed me to the fake stuff that was expensive instead of saying "why dont you buy LR to decorate the tank and provide real hiding places for your fish. ect...."

 

[600k4]

Originally Posted by vejomatic
what is that on the back of the tank...looks like a huge leaf?
~mc
Welcome and great start...remember, those powerheads are not ornamental, they are neccesary for proper flow in the tank. like one poster mentioned, try to get up to around 10X turnover for starters.

Thanks, the "leaf" is a sea fan. I got the powerhead working and mounted using the bracked supplied to hang it on the back and supported it with the suction cup also provided.... skimmer should be here by the weekend....

 

[600k4]

Originally Posted by oreo12
That is the look they wanted why would you post something rude like that? Looks nice
I agree, thanks for getting my back. It was definately the look my girlfriend wanted. (I bought her this tank for christmas, I just take care of it.) So we went to the LFS mentioned previously and they never mentioned buying any LR. After the tank was about cycled and a lot of money spent on decor, they then said why dont u get some LR. But we have taken the damsels out and added some clowns.

 

[teen]

did the store suggest the sand bottom, or was that your idea? if they pointed you towards the sand then they might not be that bad of a store because a lot of stores will tell you to go with crushed coral, and i think thats one reason why a lot of people give up on there tanks. also if i was you, i wouldnt worry about putting that much more live rock in there because i think it looks better with just small amounts of live rock and more swimming space if your only doing a fish tank.