Got new tank still need some help

laxplaya

laxplaya

Member
OK where do i start... today i just got my 3 foot 58 gallon tank with overflow box, pro clear 75 wet dry with protein skimmer, and a stand. I painted the back and sides with flat black krylon spray paint. I plan on getting a 36 inch metal halide bulb with 2 pc's also in it and blue LED's. I have 50 lbs of fiji live sand and plan on getting 100 punds of live rock. The circulation (500 gph) will be great along with the 1.025 salinity level. I want a reef tank with soft coral, hard coral, inverts, and of course beautiful (but not too expensive) fish. And after several posts of what to get and how to hook it all up (completed) i still have several questions. Here they are:
1. Can i put the heater inside the overflow box so you can't see it?
2. I am putting in damsels as the first fish to make sure water is good, i know they are hard to get out but i have my plan... SPIKE THE WATER WITH BATTERY ACID!!!! jk. So how long do i keep them in before i know water is safe? And how long do i let the water circulate before i even put in the damsels?
3. I want the "30-90 gal reef package" (crabs and snails and stuff) do i put those little guys in first (before damsels) or after i put in the damsels or at the same time? which leads to...
4. If the crabs go in first i would feed them what they want, but there wont be algae or "droppings" for the ones who eat that stuff. So i need help there.
5. Will a coral banded shrimp harm a "skunk" cleaner shrimp or a fire shrimp?
6. I read the archives and FAQ but any advice on feeding anemones and corals would be a great help.
7. My fish list can be found at link below please post any problems or complications.
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/265224/fish-list-for-my-3-foot-58-gal#post_2073925
Thanks to those who post i really need the help.
 
joncat24

joncat24

Active Member
first of all...17 minutes is not long to wait.
2nd one or two questions at a time usually gets a better response.
as for the heater in the overflow. I wouldnt, I tried it and it didnt work very well.
as far as the damsels go, if you dont want them long term then don't ever put em in...they are hard as hell to catch.
put your sand, salwater and rock in. cycle the tank with ghost feeding or the raw shrimp method
as it is cycling read up and use the search button to find out about the cycle.
Anenomes are usually not advised until a tank reaches at least 6 months of age for stability reasons---so I wouldn't even worry about that right now.
Get some good ammonia and nitrite/nitrate test kets and cycle the tank, then you can add your clean up crew, then you can add your fish slowly.No more than one a week and properly acclimated.
 
joncat24

joncat24

Active Member
i missed the one about the shrimps...the coral banded shrimps are sometimes aggressive towards others. I wouldnt recommend one in that small of a tank if you want to have a skunk cleaner shrimp.the skunk and peppermints are fiine together and some times the cbs are also ok...50/50 I would say.
as far as corals go--after your 3-4 week cycle and your water params all level off then you can add some corals as long as you have the proper lighting
 
laxplaya

laxplaya

Member
one idea about gettin damsels out is...
-BIG NET!
-Turn off all lights in room and tank
-turn them all on thus shocking the fish
-Then scoop, scoop, scoop!
 
trainfever

trainfever

Active Member
Put the damsels in the sump. They will still start your cycle and you will still be able to easily get them out or just leave them in there.
 
shrimpi

shrimpi

Active Member
1. Dont put the heater in the overflow. First, good luck getting it to fit. Second, if the overflow gets too low for whatever reason, the heater will be exposed to air, may malfunction/crack/go crazy/shock/overheat tank. Try putting your heater in the sump if you want it hidden, or put it in the back of the tank and stack some rocks in front of it- not touching it.
2. Avoid DAMNsels at all costs, they are a real pain to catch- unless you put them in the sump- thats a brilliant idea. They are not good tankmates either so you really should get them out before adding other friends.
3. I would put the cleaner crew in gradually as they are needed and as the cycle process comes to a close- at the absolute earliest. Inverts are sensitive so you dont want to put too much stress if its not necessary. As your tank matures, algae will grow, and you will start to need your cleaner crew. Dont rush.
4. Most cleaners/crabs will chow on algae. If you have LR, it should come with some. If the pickings are scarce you can add a tiny TINY amount of food. But again, the longer you wait, the more mature your tank, the less you should have to worry about this. Yes your crabs will eat meaty foods and even flakes if they are hungry- at least mine do.
5. IMO stay away from coral banded shrimps. Cleaner/skunks are great and have super personality. I have a skunk, fire and a peppermint and they all get along great. No fighting, no food competition, they all have thier little cave areas and life is good. Ive read mixed info about coral bandeds and I recently had a acquaintance that removed a coral banded from his tank for attacking other inhabitants.
6. Too early for corals at this point, and there are too many kinds of corals to delve into that. Anemones can be nuclear bombs if not cared for properly- meaning they can take down your tank. Do alot of research.
7. Your fish list: IMO:I think you have bigger eyes than your tank can handle. Your fish will outgrow that tank really quick. I would pull like 4 fish off the list just to give your fish more room/territory. Careful putting two different types of anemones in the same tank, they may find eachother and go to war. Mandarin- spotted is easier of the two- but you should take caution with this guy. IMO he shouldnt be in a tank where he has competition for food. There are alot of fish in this tank that will compete with the mandarin and he may starve for that reason, let alone the obvious reason of his diet. Careful with your corals, like anemones they can sting eachother and release toxins if within a certain range. Read up on supplements- Many corals require supplements. Lionfish- is going to get to teenager age and eat your smaller fish. Humu- do your research on this fish.
These animals are all desirable, but unfortunately not TOGETHER- at least alot of them. I think you are trying to mix a FO and a reef tank and thats where the problems are beginning. Hope this helps.This is just my opinion of course.
 
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