About ready to "dive in" to the SW aquarium world!

[heyitsliz88]

Hi everyone! I'm about to start up this new and exciting hobby of SW fish! I currently have a 90g freshwater which is doing pretty well, but I really think SW could be a little more rewarding just cuz of its sheer beauty. I understand that they are more complex in their set up and upkeep, but I'm fully willing to take those responsibilities head on!
So, I've decided on a 60g cube. I wish I could go bigger, but it is the perfect size for the space I have. I chose this spot because there is no direct sunlight, and it's in a pretty calm room, so I think the fish will be the happiest and least stressed out here. I've been doing tons of research, reading these forums and have been visiting the three main local fish stores in my area to get a feel for what I'm getting into.
I think the best bet would be a reef tank with soft, flowy corals and anemone, and maybe only about 6 fish or so. Here's what I'm thinking, please tell me what you all think. I really want to make good decisions for the welfare of my fish... I'd much rather sacrifice my own wants for the health of the tank!
Pair of black and white clowns
Sunburst anthias (or anthias of some sort)
Pygmy coral beauty OR lemonpeel angelfish OR small yellow tang
Watchman goby
Emerald crab
Maxima clam
Hermit crab
Cleaner shrimp
Blue tuxedo urchin (these are so cute when they run around and collect things to wear)
Would love input or more ideas, especially regarding corals and such... I'm very excited about this!

 

[silverado61]

In my opinion I'd wait a while on the clam and urchin till you feel comfortable with the hobby because they need special care and perfect water conditions.

The hermit crab should be hermit crab(s). They're part of the cleanup crew. Any other answers should come from others here that have far more experience than I do so I'll step back for now. Just wanted to put in my .02 about the clam and urchin. If it's a question I feel I really know the answer to I'll be more than happy to chime in.

Two things I will add: Please don't add all those fish at once. One at a time and spaced a few weeks apart after quarantine to give the tank time to adjust to the bio-load. As far as the combination?

Last: Wait to add anything till your tank has fully completed it's cycle.

 

[heyitsliz88]

Yes, thank you!! I'm definitely planning on waiting a few months before I add the clam and urchin... Thanks for the thought on staggering the addition of fish. I should probably put species in at the same time though, right (ie. the pair of clowns together)? I'm thinking at least a month or two before the tank is completely cycled, just to make sure. Any thoughts on what water testing kits I should get? And you're right, that should have been plural on the hermit crabs! Haha what a difference that little "s" makes Thanks for your input!!!

 

[beaslbob]

I would use macro algaes like chaeto in a refugium. and that refugium could be just a tank partition to keep the fish away from the macros.
then do the rest.
also to "cycle" the system try a male molly. and don't add food the first week. Then start feeding one flake per day.
Once you get the molly to live for a few weeks, then try the more expensive marine only fish.
my .02

 

[silverado61]

Quote:
Originally Posted by heyitsliz88 http:///t/397060/about-ready-to-dive-in-to-the-sw-aquarium-world#post_3538027
Yes, thank you!! I'm definitely planning on waiting a few months before I add the clam and urchin... Thanks for the thought on staggering the addition of fish. I should probably put species in at the same time though, right (ie. the pair of clowns together)? I'm thinking at least a month or two before the tank is completely cycled, just to make sure. Any thoughts on what water testing kits I should get? And you're right, that should have been plural on the hermit crabs! Haha what a difference that little "s" makes Thanks for your input!!!
Don't use test strips for one. The results are inaccurate and unreliable. Lab tests (liquid) are best. API test kits only test for a certain type of ammonia so you won't get an accurate there as well. Seachem and Salifert are highly recommended brands. I use RedSea which some say have mixed revues.

A 34g is too small for any Tang or an Angel. Even a 75g is too small. Tangs are built for speed so they need lots of running room. I think a 90g at least for either one of those species.

 

[heyitsliz88]

Thank you both!

beaslbob, could I use the macro algae in the refugium I'm planning to have with in my sump?

silverado, I think I agree with the tang and the size of my tank. I'll stick with smaller fish that I know will be safe and ok Thanks for the tips on the water testing kits!

 

[silverado61]

Quote:
Originally Posted by heyitsliz88 http:///t/397060/about-ready-to-dive-in-to-the-sw-aquarium-world#post_3538033
Thank you both!

beaslbob, could I use the macro algae in the refugium I'm planning to have with in my sump?

silverado, I think I agree with the tang and the size of my tank. I'll stick with smaller fish that I know will be safe and ok Thanks for the tips on the water testing kits!

Beaslbob went off line so I can answer that one. Yes. Definitely. Chaetomorph (spaghetti) algae is the best in a refugium slash sump system.

 

[silverado61]

Also, Mollies have to be acclimated for salt water before you can use them with the success that beaslbob is talking about. He can explain how to do it right. He has a lot more tanks under his belt than I do. He's one of the best here. If your unsure about using a molly, Shrimp in a piece of nylon is a great alternative.

 

[heyitsliz88]

Oh nice! Glad to have your guys' expertise to rely on When you say "shrimp in a piece of nylon," I'm assuming you mean.... uncooked shrimp from my mom's freezer that she uses in her delicious scampi recipe, right? hahah! Yeah I'm a little hesitant to put a live fish in there to help with the cycling, just because I don't want to sacrifice anything if I can help it. I've read somewhere that even if they do make it through the process, their gills are burned from the fluctuation of pH levels or something, but I don't really know the full story! Am I pretty much on track with the amount of time it'll take to properly cycle a 60g? Also, about how big do you think my quarantine tanks should be? I'm planning on doing a bare bottom QT, and would also like to know if you think I need a separate one for corals? I'm so full of questions!!! Thanks for entertaining them!

 

[silverado61]

As far as the shrimp? Yes, raw shrimp. The nylon is to make it easier to get it out when the time comes.

Cycling has no time clock. It could take 2 weeks it could take 2 month's. Plan on the latter. Don't rush it. Patience is the true key. It all depends on your levels of Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrates (in that order) and when they return to zero.

Quarantine. 10 gallon. Bare bottom to keep it more sterile. No ornaments. Just a piece of PVC to give your fish a place to hide with an airline, with no stone, banded to it for more aeration along with some kind of hang on the back filtration system. Only one fish at a time making sure each one is healthy before it goes in the display which also helps you control how fast you add fish the display giving the tank time to adjust to the new bio-load.

Only fish need to be quarantined. Invertebrates and corals only need to be acclimated but each has it's own acclimation time and/or procedures so you will need to check before buying each one. Research.

Do a lot of research on corals. different corals need different care, lighting, feeding, etc. And some (just like fish) will not play well with others. Some will have all out chemical warfare.

BTW: Welcome to the site. This is the best place to go to find out info and get help. There is a wide variety of people here than can help in whatever category you need help in.

 

[jay0705]

Just a few fish ideas. Have u looked into fire fish,flasher wrasses,or a royal gramma. All are good community fish w color

 

[heyitsliz88]

Silverado, thanks for the welcome. You've given me some peace of mind and fantastic advice thus far! For the QT, I suppose a 10 gallon would be big enough considering the size of fish I'm putting into the DT. Glad to know that corals can be added to the tank without being quarantined. I'm planning on using the drip acclimation method for all the fish and inverts. Is the QT a tank that should be set up all the time, or can I get away with putting it away when I'm not using it? I'd be a little nervous of doing so, just in case one of my fish starts feeling sICK.

Yes, I'm definitely going to do research on the corals and what type are peaceful. I really want a nice, happy, peaceful lil tank for my sweet lil animals to have a safe haven I was at a LFS the other day and they were going over corals, and the lady told me to avoid this one particular one (I forget what it was called, but it looked like a tiny bush of broccoli), because I guess at night it sprouts tentacles and stings all the other corals around it! What a sneaky little guy! They said I should stay away from hard corals to begin with and go with the soft, flowy, wavy kind instead. Speaking of corals, do you think I should add the fish beforehand? Will the clownfish be ok without anything to host for a while? Some people are telling me I should add corals and anemones last, but I want to make sure my clownfish are comfortable and happy. On the other hand, some other people say to add the coral before you add the fish.

Jay, great ideas for fish! I love all the colors. I'm not a fan of firefish for some reason -- they just look kinda weird to me. I like wrasses, but I've heard they can be jumpers. Is this true? The tank I have my eye on is a rimless, so I'd be putting egg crate on the top of it (which I find unsightly, but will definitely use it to save the life of a fishie). Royal gramma are cute too I really like the personality of the yellowhead jawfish -- they're apparently pretty comical!

Thanks again for taking an interest in my new tank!!!

 

[silverado61]

You don't need the qt set up when you don't need it. When you do, just do a 20% water change in your display if the parameters are where they should be and use that water and some filter media from the display then just top it off with some freshly mixed water. Run it for a couple of days and test just to be sure the numbers are where you need them.
You should set up a qt now while your display is cycling so that they are both ready at the same time. Use the shrimp for the display and ghost feed the qt. Pretend there is a fish in the qt and feed it once a day. Just a pinch once a day til it starts to spike like the display. Get the ammonia up to 1pmm then stop feeding. When it drops to zero test for nitrites. When that drops to zero test for nitrates. When that goes below 10pmm its ready. Use that system for both tanks.
The first time for the qt you'll be using fresh salt water and cycle it the same as the display. Just no rock or sand. Afterwards just use good display water.
Sps corals are the easiest to take care of. Kenya tree's, leathers, etc.
Clowns like to host with corals but they don't need them to survive. Just give them a place to hide and they'll be happy till you feel ready for corals.

 

[jay0705]

W the egg crate you'll be fine w a jumper. They say fire fish are too but mine never jump. I guess it depends on the fish. Make sure u stick w the flasher or fairy wrasses. These are reef safe not all wrasses are! Lol

 

[geridoc]

Quote:
Originally Posted by heyitsliz88 http:///t/397060/about-ready-to-dive-in-to-the-sw-aquarium-world#post_3538055
Silverado, thanks for the welcome. You've given me some peace of mind and fantastic advice thus far! For the QT, I suppose a 10 gallon would be big enough considering the size of fish I'm putting into the DT. Glad to know that corals can be added to the tank without being quarantined. I'm planning on using the drip acclimation method for all the fish and inverts. Is the QT a tank that should be set up all the time, or can I get away with putting it away when I'm not using it? I'd be a little nervous of doing so, just in case one of my fish starts feeling sICK.

No, not at all correct. Quarantine everything that is headed for your dt. While corals generally don't host parasites that attack fish, they do carry things like flatworms that can become a problem for other corals. At the very least, do a coral dip in an iodine solution to get rid of most hitchhikers before adding new corals to your dt.

 

[silverado61]

My bad.

Maybe I should post a disclaimer.

 

[heyitsliz88]

Yeah, I was planning on doing a coral dip at the very least, but I have no objections for setting up another QT tank for the corals, if that's what's best for them.

Jay, flasher and fairy wrasses happen to be my favorite kind, so I guess I'm in luck there!

Ook, so changing subjects, I went ahead and bought a 21 gallon biocube for my dad's office. The LFS gave me a bag of live sand, about 8 lbs of live rock, and a sponge to put in the filter. I set it all up, put the saltwater half way up the tank, put the live sand in, then put down a plastic bag so as not to stir up the sand, and filled the water the rest of the way, and started up the filters. It's happily humming away! I was instructed to only keep the light on for 4 hours/day or else I'll have a buildup of algae and "red stuff" (can't remember what that is). Anyway, it looks cute.

 

[jay0705]

Cayno alage or sumtin along those lines lol