Advice for saltwater "wanna-be"

[pigeoncreek1]

I’ve been threatening to do it for a few years now….
I’m ready to make the switch to saltwater! I have been an avid freshwater fish keeper for
the last 15 yrs, so I understand the basics. I was hoping for some opinions on my tank’s current setup:
This 75 gallon tank was used to house African Cichlids, equipped as follows: Custom hood with 160w NO, (2) Aquaclear 300’s, Fluval 304 filled with bio-balls and a 300w visi-therm heater. I plan to add a few powerheads and a skimmer to the hardware list.
My plan is to have a community type tank with appropriate clean up critters, LR and a 3”- 4” sand bed. Is my current setup enough?? Also, what types/numbers of fish would be recommended? I would really like to start out with the right setup to minimize the disasters, so all opinions are valued!!!
Thanks in advance for your time….

 

[flamingkingofhe]

Sounds good to me. If it were me I would start out with damsels after your tank has cycled they are pretty hardy.

 

[zibnata]

I am new myself and I wish I did like you and asked these people for advice first. One thing I can say is don't trust LFS guys. Ask here before doing anything or buying anything. And I think everyone will tell you to upgrade lights (expensive)and get at least 100 lbs of LR. Also ADD THE RIGHT SUBSTRATE. I put in crushed coral and I am sorry. Good Luck.

 

[jarvis]

Sounds like a you got the right idea. definately go DSB. A rule of thumb is 1 inch of fish (full grown) for 5gal. Just keep doing your homework and everything will go smooth for ya.

 

[dindi]

Excellent, just remember salt and fresh are nothing alike, you will be starting new regardless of your fresh experience. you will also need a good protien skimmer once your tank is cycled. |would go with live sand (LS) and live rock (LR) the more the merrier. You won't have to spend boat loads on lights unless you add corals hard or soft(thats another story) Keep in mind what type of fish you want as well. If you decide to go with a fish only with live rock (FOWLR) then check out your fishes requirements before you buy. Do not put any fish in until your tank is fully cycled (long wait). Check often at this site as there are always questions and answers here. Good luck

 

[pufferfreak]

Don't go with damsels, IMO they are the worst fish, if you want a hardy fish go with some chromis. I just have heard poeple putting in damsels and then a few months later trying to fish them out.

 

[bang guy]

The first thing you will notice is that saltwater is still an evolving hobby. As a result you will get multiple opinions on every single aspect of it.
Are you going with a reef setup or a Fish with Rock setup? You'll need more light for a reef.
Your rock will cycle the tank for you, please don't subject a fish to the poisons associated with cycling a tank.

 

[pigeoncreek1]

Thanks a million for the input!
Bang Guy.... I plan on fish and rock for my first venture, I have read that keeping corals requires more experience. I don't want to start off by killing everything because I was not prepared to take care of it. And I will use the LR to do the cycling...will I need to use a cocktail shrimp as well to help the tank cycle? I read about this method in an old post
Again, Thanks to everyone so far...I'm gonna use your input to see how "on the ball" the people at my LFS are. I used to work at one while I was in college, so I know the type of people some of them hire

 

[bang guy]

LOL!
If you're going to use live rock to cycle you don't need a shrimp as an ammonia source.
You can use uncured rock if you'd like and save a few bucks that way.
If you're going to use dead sand put that in first followed by the live rock.
After the cycle put in some live sand. I'm not personally fond of the bagged stuff that only has bacteria. This site also sells real live sand, should be perfect.
Don't try to hurry the cycle IMO. It will finish when it's done. Just let nature take its course.
The bio-balls will be very nice during the cycle but afterward you should slowly wean your system off them.

 

[pigeoncreek1]

Thanks for the great explanation!
What is the reason for weaning the system off of the bio balls?

 

[zafirablanca]

Once you add live rock, that will be your home/ source of biological filtration. Bioballs are just an artificial method biofiltration, most commonly used in fish only tanks with little or no live rock. You can start with the bioballs to give your system a jump start, but them just take them out bit by bit. You will have a cleaner, more natural system with just the live rock. Taking them all out at once could shock you system. Its better to makes most changes slowly in this hobby.
Hope that helps.
Good Luck
-Christine

 

[pigeoncreek1]

Thanks very much for the info Christine!

 

[jason180sx]

ok a couple questions.
1) I am still confused by "LIVE ROCK AND SAND" can anyone tell me what exactly this is? I live in japan and this weekend I went to the beach and got rock for my tank. Is this "live rock"? I live in a semi tropical enviorment if that matters.
2) when do you know when your tank cycles?
3) Can anyone recommend a cheap/er lighting system for my 80Gal tank? I am on a TIGHT buget. These japanese guys just cant explain to me what I need!LOL
If these questions have been answered then I am sorry!
any administrators: can you put stickys on some of these posts that are asked alot? thanks jason

 

[javatech]

http://www.simplifiedreefkeeping.com/faq/faq.htm

 

[zafirablanca]

pigeoncreek1, Your welcome!
Jason180sx, Try this site for some nice information on all the basics that you'll need to know:
http://saltaquarium.about.com/mbody.htm
Keep in touch with this site, you will get alot of information and opinions. Be sure to hear from a few different people to get an idea about something specific, especially the moderators (shark ranking) they are very helpful.
Good Luck,
-Christine