good starter fish?

[goose42195]

Hello all,
I just registered, and I'm a brand new saltwater fish tank owner. I'm really psyched, but I don't want to rush things. The set-up I purchased is as follows.........
70 Gallon reef ready Oceanic tank
Oceanic wet/dry sump filter
8 watt In-line UV sterilizer
36" Coralife Aqualight Pro light
200 watt Coralife heater
digital thermometer
Live sand and salt added..........
all on a great looking oak stand. Are there any started fish that are better than others? My local fish store is suggesting a fish called a mono. I think that it s a freshwater fish that is hardy enough to thrive in salt water (much like black mollies do). I've seen them in his store tanks and they look like freshwater fish.
How long can I expect the tank to cycle before addind rock, coral and decorations?
Thanks in advance............
John.

 

[criminal]

clowns are good starter fish. do some research though and make a list of livestock you want and research them to see if they'll get a long.

 

[lukeb321]

Get a coule green chromis, real hardy, small and great looking fish.

 

[aquaria]

Damsels are the most hardy fish.
get some if you wanna stay with an aggressive style tank.
Now on to the tank
adding uncured Live rock and sand should shave off some cycle time.
the regular cycle time is about 4-6 week (i know it sucks lol)
The damsel fish will live through most high water level spikes and are very easy to care for.
after a week or a week and a half get a pair of um and put um in.
** Don't add any Live rock/sand after putting fish in** this will result in dead fish due to the flux of bacteria.
add whatever rock you want (uncured is better) and then add the fish
after 4-5 weeks your can now add more expensive fish, (angels, lions, etc)
Personally i dont no much about coral so......
decorations wise, dont add anything with wood, and dont add anything that make bubbles. The bubbles will hurt the salt flow
have fun :happyfish
and good luck

 

[hrlygma]

but don't use anything alive to cycle with! I can't believe the number of people who do this, and it is plain mean.
Use the search feature for specifics on just about anything. It saves a lot of time. I get lost in the postings, or so interested in them that I waste hours!

 

[aquaria]

Damsels are used to cycle!! :notsure:
lol
P.S, Wow your from Wantagh Ny lol
Cool
There is a great aquarium store right in Merrick, bout 10 min drive
Mutts and Butts Ltd. Pets & Aquarium Center
2076 Merrick Rd., Merrick ,NY
Phone:516-379-6391
Open 7days.
Mon. - Wed. 9am - 8pm
Thu. - Fri. 9am - 9pm
Sat. - 9am - 7pm
Sun. - 11am - 6pm
Have you been there???
i love that store lol
(if you havent been there it has the nicest selection of fish)

 

[goose42195]

I've been to mutts and butts plenty of times. They have great stuff, only a little pricey on some stuff.
You said earlier that I shouldn't add rock after fish. Any reason?? I was unsure as to what kind of rock to buy.

 

[aquaria]

Well each piece of Live rock contains a certain flow level of bacteria. This is when the Live rock is *uncured*. On a *cured rock* the bacteria on the rock has settles into is original water supply. When fish are in a tank they adjust to the bacteria level. By adding an uncured rock to the tank when there is fish in there it throws off the bacteria level and the fish get weird lol
You can add a cured rock to a tank after the fish are in there because it has no power to mess up ur cycle of bacteria.
I do love the rock that mutts and butts sells. That type of rock is usally used for a healty reef tank. Its in the back of the store. Not sure how much it is but thats the kind i use anlong with some tonga rock.
The rock type i perfer is tonga rock and figi rock. They look the best.

 

[whitey]

There are countless threads posted on getting started, and this is a great place to learn.
This board will not lie to you like your Fish Store will because we aren't getting your money.
Please don't use any fish to cycle your tank.
Get 2 raw cocktail shrimp and put them in the tank. Sounds weird, but it works.
Get a Protien Skimmer in a few weeks. They're pricey but will save you money in the long run by keeping you tank more healthy.
Also get a refractometer. It measures your salt level. A lot of people don't invest in these, but the swing arm Hydrometers simply are not accurate, and your salinity is very important.
Go slow and research before you buy ANYTHING. I promise you'll be happy you did.
Good luck and welcome to the boards.

 

[happyvac]

In addition to what's noted above, I'd strongly recommend getting a saltwater good testing kit (for Ammonia, Nitrates, PH, that sorta stuff)