Don't know where to start

[megal928]

Hi everyone! This is my first time checking out this website, I think it's great. My husband and I just purchased a 40 gal. tank. We have it set up (live sand, lights, heater, and filter). We have the salt measurements where it needs to be. However, we don't know when it is safe to start adding fish, and live rock. We've had it up for a week, and I know we have to be patient, but we are so excited to get started. Also, we don't know exactly what to get. We know we definetly want a clown fish (just like Nemo, for the kids), but other than that, we don't know what else to get. If we could just get some ideas, that would be great. We don't want anything extravagant, since our tank is pretty small compared to most of yours. We just want something that is entertaining to watch. Thank you!

 

[airforceb2]

Hello and welcome to the boards!!
First off, describe your equipment a little more. How much live sand and live rock. What kind of lights, what kind of filter. You want to look into getting a protein skimmer. And most of all, post all of your test readings.
Second off, don't depend on the advise from your local fish store (LFS). If you have a question about something they have told you, come here and ask the question. You can't go wrong with getting more than one opinion. LFS want a profit and that is what they are out to get. Most emplyees don't have the first clue about running a salt water tank.
Third off, pay the local library a visit. Look for The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Robert Fenner. It is an awesome book that explains a lot of things. Also, check out all the posts on this link. It is VERY informative. https://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/showthread.php?t=80022
Last off, always keep in mind that this hobby is a very time consuming hobby. Most of your time will be spent sitting in front of your tank just staring at all of the new life that appears.

 

[fishtanknewbie]

Welcome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would say it would be safe to add liverock it will help your tank cycle. :yes: The best advice besides that is take your time and listen to the advise to the people on this board we have so of the worlds best reef keepers here and you have came to the right place for starting a saltwater tank.

Once again WELCOME and enjoy the hobby. :happyfish

 

[blu11]

Welcome
well, coming here is a good start. An even better start is to get yourself a book on saltwater aquariums. Two great books to start off with are "The New Marine Aquarium: Step-By-Step Setup & Stocking Guide" by Michael Paletta and "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" by Robert Fenner. There is a lot you need to do. First off you need to get your tank cycled....this means building up your tanks biological filter. If you are going to get live rock add it now...this will help tremendously in getting your tank cycled. Cycling will usually 4-6 weeks. Don't even think about getting fish until you are done with the cycling process...they will only die & you will waste your money. The books will explain the whole process. Also be sure you read up on what type of other equipment you will need...protein skimmer, powerheads, quarantine tank...
This is a very fun and rewarding hobby, however one that requires a lot of patience & research. It is easy to get excited and want to jump right to the fun part. Unfortunately, in all reality you shouldn't have any fish for at least a month. When you take your time though...it will be all so worth it. Hope that helps

 

[celacanthr]

hi and congrats im just starting up my 37 gal and have been around here for a while. You can add your cleanup crew as soon as your ammonia is at 0 and your nitrites are ate <.5. you can add 1 fish as soon as your ammonia and nitrites are so low that you cant read them and your nitrates are at <10. This is my tank plan is as follows(in order of additions).
Jawfish-needs a deep sand bed (4inches plus)
royal gramma- needs lots of hiding places
shrimp goby-will bug the jawfish if not paired with a alpheus pistol shrimp
blennies
clownfish
also add the fish slowly over many months or wait until the readings stablize after the addition
of each fish.
Do not buy damsels altho they are cheap and pretty at first unless you plan on making a damsel only tank, because they get very territorial and once they reach adulthood their beutiful juvinile colors fade into grays and other blaa colors.

 

[ophiura]

Howdy

How are you currently cycling the tank? Meaning, what is your ammonia source to start the nitrogen (biological) cycle in the tank? Adding live rock would be an exceptionally good idea at this time, for the LR will help the tank cycle, and it is far easier to put in now than later.

 

[megal928]

Thank you all so much! I guess more than anything we need to be patient, huh? Unfortunately, that's not either of our best qualities! Our local pet store had an employee there who really knew her stuff about fish, and she told my husband that we could add live rock once the salinity and ph where right where they need to be, but when he went in to buy some, they told him that she no longer worked there! The new guy told my husband that we should wait, so I'm glad for all of your info. I'll definetly buy a book, because it seems we don't know enough yet. Thanks again!

 

[ophiura]

Book - good call. :yes:
Then hand it off to the LFS employee and tell him to read it too :yes:
Live rock would be ideal to add to a new tank. If uncured, it will cycle...if cured, it will help speed up the cycle. FAR easier to add the bulk of your live rock before any livestock is in the tank. So long as your temp, pH, and salinity are in the good range (pH - 8.0 to 8.3, specific gravity 1.024-1.026 this is assuming you will keep inverts at some point, temp 78-82). After you add LR, you need an ammonia source. This is either the die off on the uncured live rock, or it is from the addition of shrimp from the grocery store. Traditionally, damselfish were used but this is perhaps not the best way to go though it still works.

 

[megal928]

OK, now I'm really confused. The reason why the guy at the pet store said that we couldn't get live rock yet was because our ammonia was just a tad too high, so we put in an ammonia decreaser. I trust you more than the pet store though. Thanks

 

[ophiura]

Oh gosh, ammonia decreaser -->not good.
In a cycling tank you WANT ammonia. Removing it is bad. It is food for the bacteria that will convert it (aka the biological filter). Adding LR - if cured - would have helped reduce ammonia levels naturally. If uncured, ammonia levels may have increased but this is to be expected. Some ammonia reducing products also really mess up ammonia test readings

 

[f1shman]

Yes, you should trust us more. haha. I say that because we don't want your money like the fish store does and we're talking from experience. Definitly add the live rock ASAP it will help the tank in many many ways.