Help us stock our 55 gallon

[b-baby80]

O.K. we have 2 very large hermit crabs and 1 small.We added 1 damsel and my son bought a very small starfish.Other than that we're open.We do only have fluorescent lights though.My 2 year old loves nemo.So i know we'll need 1 or 2 clowns.I'm needing ideas on what fish,inverts,coral and anemone can live great with this situation.Thanks for any infh and i want colorful colorful colorful!

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by B-Baby80
O.K. we have 2 very large hermit crabs and 1 small.We added 1 damsel and my son bought a very small starfish.Other than that we're open.We do only have fluorescent lights though.My 2 year old loves nemo.So i know we'll need 1 or 2 clowns.I'm needing ideas on what fish,inverts,coral and anemone can live great with this situation.Thanks for any infh and i want colorful colorful colorful!
Hi there!!! Welcome to the boards

How long has this tank been set up? How much LR do you have? You cannot keep an anemone with the lights that you have, nor any type of corals. Please take a look at the reef section of this board for ideas on corals, anemones, and the lights required for what you would like to keep. Standard lighting is not good for much other than fish only or FOWLR (fish only with live rock). If you just want fish and some crabs and snails then we can certainly help with your choices.

 

[reefer545]

You cannot keep an anemone with the lights that you have, nor any type of corals. Please take a look at the reef section of this board for ideas on corals, anemones, and the lights required for what you would like to keep. Standard lighting is not good for much other than fish only or FOWLR (fish only with live rock). If you just want fish and some crabs and snails then we can certainly help with your choices.
That is not true. There are some corals that can flourish under those lights. Some corals dont need light at all. Anemones also have a few species that dont need light, but lots of feedings. However, research everything far in advance to buying it because it looks cool. Chances are, it will not look so cool in your tank after a few days. If your tank is mature enough, a few fish will be fine, but only add one at a time, unless you are going to get two clowns as they need to be added at the same time, and otherwise, space new additions out by at least two weeks so you can keep an eye on your water parameters. MORE information on your tank is also needed to give you any good advice. Water params, lights exactly, LR, LS, flow, etc. Good luck, and i am sure you will find some solid answers here.

 

[b-baby80]

Thanks!

My plans are to upgrade to T5's or MH's but that won't be for a bit.It was a established tank set up for quit sometime.We bought and moved it yesterday.It has 50lbs or so of LS and only 10lb LR.I'm hoping to buy atleast 20lb more LR come pay day.
What about Gorgonians?They seem very colorful?

 

[b-baby80]

Originally Posted by sepulation
You cannot keep an anemone with the lights that you have, nor any type of corals. Please take a look at the reef section of this board for ideas on corals, anemones, and the lights required for what you would like to keep. Standard lighting is not good for much other than fish only or FOWLR (fish only with live rock). If you just want fish and some crabs and snails then we can certainly help with your choices.

Originally Posted by reefer545
That is not true. There are some corals that can flourish under those lights. Some corals dont need light at all. Anemones also have a few species that dont need light, but lots of feedings. However, research everything far in advance to buying it because it looks cool. Chances are, it will not look so cool in your tank after a few days. If your tank is mature enough, a few fish will be fine, but only add one at a time, unless you are going to get two clowns as they need to be added at the same time, and otherwise, space new additions out by at least two weeks so you can keep an eye on your water parameters. MORE information on your tank is also needed to give you any good advice. Water params, lights exactly, LR, LS, flow, etc. Good luck, and i am sure you will find some solid answers here.
Oh and for filter we have a Biowheel 350 and Maxi-jet 400 powerhead.

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by REEFER545
You cannot keep an anemone with the lights that you have, nor any type of corals. Please take a look at the reef section of this board for ideas on corals, anemones, and the lights required for what you would like to keep. Standard lighting is not good for much other than fish only or FOWLR (fish only with live rock). If you just want fish and some crabs and snails then we can certainly help with your choices.

That is not true. There are some corals that can flourish under those lights. Some corals dont need light at all. Anemones also have a few species that dont need light, but lots of feedings. However, research everything far in advance to buying it because it looks cool. Chances are, it will not look so cool in your tank after a few days. If your tank is mature enough, a few fish will be fine, but only add one at a time, unless you are going to get two clowns as they need to be added at the same time, and otherwise, space new additions out by at least two weeks so you can keep an eye on your water parameters. MORE information on your tank is also needed to give you any good advice. Water params, lights exactly, LR, LS, flow, etc. Good luck, and i am sure you will find some solid answers here.
Could you please cite exact names of corals and anemones that do well in standard factory lighting? On a 55 that would be 120volt 40 watt 60hz.

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by B-Baby80
Oh and for filter we have a Biowheel 350 and Maxi-jet 400 powerhead.
I don't even keep a 400 in my 20 qt. I use a 600 in there. I use a 1200 and a 900 in my 55, blowing opposite directions. Use the 400 in your mixing bucket.

 

[b-baby80]

Originally Posted by sepulatian
I don't even keep a 400 in my 20 qt. I use a 600 in there. I use a 1200 and a 900 in my 55, blowing opposite directions. Use the 400 in your mixing bucket.
I bought it today.I'm thinking i'll buy another one and put on the other end.I wasn't sure how much it would put out.Now that i see.I know i need more.So i'm gonna get another one.No biggy.I already figured that.

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by B-Baby80
I bought it today.I'm thinking i'll buy another one and put on the other end.I wasn't sure how much it would put out.Now that i see.I know i need more.So i'm gonna get another one.No biggy.I already figured that.
That is good! It is always best to plan ahead. I first bought the 400 to run in my 55, it barely pushed the water halfway across the tank. I then used it in my qt, it wasn't good enough. I run a 600 in my bucket, but it is a 46gallon trash can (I have 2 qt tanks and mix a lot of water). I now use a 600 in my mixing bucket, another in my 20 qt, a 900 in my 15 long qt, and the 900 and 1200 in the 55 gallon. I also run a whisper 60 and 40 in the 55 for filtration. Water movement is very important being that SW has very little oxygen in it by itself. You have to keep the water moving.

 

[b-baby80]

Originally Posted by sepulatian
That is good! It is always best to plan ahead. I first bought the 400 to run in my 55, it barely pushed the water halfway across the tank. I then used it in my qt, it wasn't good enough. I run a 600 in my bucket, but it is a 46gallon trash can (I have 2 qt tanks and mix a lot of water). I now use a 600 in my mixing bucket, another in my 20 qt, a 900 in my 15 long qt, and the 900 and 1200 in the 55 gallon. I also run a whisper 60 and 40 in the 55 for filtration. Water movement is very important being that SW has very little oxygen in it by itself. You have to keep the water moving.
So do you think my filter is big enough?I just need more water movement.Atleast thats what i was thinking

Oh and can you help with some good hardy fish?

 

[reefer545]

A friend of mine has purple mushrooms that have FLOURISHED under his flourescents. Sun coral dont need light at all, but you have to FEED THEM! Gorgonians that are NON photosynthetic will do great, but you have FEED THEM! AND THEY NEED WAY MORE FLOW. MANY LOW LIGHT corals do fine under flourescent, but will often turn brownish in color adn they will not grow fast at all. A lot of leather/soft corals also can be fine under flourescents, but mixing corals without a skimmer may be hazardous to their health in the long run. Usually, the more bright a coral (less gorgos) the more light it prefers. I also have heard of many people keeping many kinds of zoas and palys under flors and they grow, but not exceptionally fast at all. Look at deep water corals, and give them blue light as that penetrates the most.Dont consider SPS, or clams at all. IMO you should get at least 50 more lbs of LR and make your sandbed at least 3 inches deep. Add at least another 400, I would go with 2 more. If you are upgrading lighting, take your coral picks into account that you will upgrade adn the placement of said corals should also be taken into account as you will have to acclimate them to new lighting. Ideally you should upgrade the lights first, then buy corals, you will still have to acclimate, but it is less tricky to acclimate a coral at a time as opposed to a tank of corals all at once.

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by B-Baby80
So do you think my filter is big enough?I just need more water movement.Atleast thats what i was thinking

Oh and can you help with some good hardy fish?
I think you should add another smaller filter to the other side. A Penguin 350 is not all that big. You want at leat 7 times turnover. Check the GPH of the 350. 55 x 7 = 385 GPH. Check your manual on the 350. For flow, you want at least 10 times turnover. That is 550GPH. The more the better for filtration, especialy at first. As for fish, you are limited. Take time to plan out what fish you want to keep. Depending on what fish you select, you can only get about 5-7 fish. Don't rush it. You may end up with fish that you do not want later. Plan it out.

 

[sepulatian]

I see that you already have a damsel. What kind? What does it look like? Damsels are nasty little fish. What kind of star did you by?

 

[reefer545]

Yeah, I am curious too. I think I can speak for SEP adn myself when I say take the damsel back for credit. IF YOU CAN CATCH IT> LOL

 

[b-baby80]

Originally Posted by sepulatian
I think you should add another smaller filter to the other side. A Penguin 350 is not all that big. You want at leat 7 times turnover. Check the GPH of the 350. 55 x 7 = 385 GPH. Check your manual on the 350. For flow, you want at least 10 times turnover. That is 550GPH. The more the better for filtration, especialy at first. As for fish, you are limited. Take time to plan out what fish you want to keep. Depending on what fish you select, you can only get about 5-7 fish. Don't rush it. You may end up with fish that you do not want later. Plan it out.
O.K. the guy i bought it from said that would be enough.Although since we set it up i've also had my biowheel 100 in the other side.Which is 450 total.
Oh and the damsel is blue with a yellow tale.The star i'm not sure.My son insisted on getting it.Although i truly did try to talk him out of it.It's tiny maybe 1/2in?
I'm not trying to rush it.Just trying to see the options.So i can plan it out.
Why am i so limited.I know size wise and the bio load but why limited to types?
Sorry i almost feel you are judging me?I just asked simple questions and i'm giving all the info i have.
Honestly the only reason i'm in this.Is we got some hermits on vacation and found out their marine.We've had them in a 10gallon since june.I decided if i was gonna have to do a saltwater aquarium.We might as well have some fish.My almost 3 year old has Cerebral palsy.He loves nemo and i want him to have his own nemo.

 

[b-baby80]

Originally Posted by REEFER545
Yeah, I am curious too. I think I can speak for SEP adn myself when I say take the damsel back for credit. IF YOU CAN CATCH IT> LOL
Yeah i know their hard to catch and thats why i only got the 1

.Just something for the kids to watch until i get the $$ and the tank gets established enough.

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by B-Baby80
O.K. the guy i bought it from said that would be enough.Although since we set it up i've also had my biowheel 100 in the other side.Which is 450 total.
Oh and the damsel is blue with a yellow tale.The star i'm not sure.My son insisted on getting it.Although i truly did try to talk him out of it.It's tiny maybe 1/2in?
I'm not trying to rush it.Just trying to see the options.So i can plan it out.
Why am i so limited.I know size wise and the bio load but why limited to types?
Sorry i almost feel you are judging me?I just asked simple questions and i'm giving all the info i have.
Honestly the only reason i'm in this.Is we got some hermits on vacation and found out their marine.We've had them in a 10gallon since june.I decided if i was gonna have to do a saltwater aquarium.We might as well have some fish.My almost 3 year old has Cerebral palsy.He loves nemo and i want him to have his own nemo.

I am very sorry if I made you feel like I was judging you. I certainly am not. I am trying to help you make good choices for your tank. You can get a clown fish if that is what your son wants. With proper planning you could have a pair of clowns host an anemone. That certainly is not necessary though. It is your tank and the inhabitants are up to you. You are limited in species that you can keep. You cannot, for example, keep any kind of tang in a 55. Those fish are very active and the tank is just to small to keep them. I did not know what kind of fish that you were looking to keep. There are certain kinds of fish("Dori") that you will not be able to house.

 

[reefer545]

NOBODY IS JUDGING YOU> I am TRULY SORRY! for having made you feel that way. I am sure any others are too. To be honest, the only reason any of us come to these forums are to help eachother, and while the words may come across harsh, I am sure no one means them that way. I personally, only wish to help ensure the longevity of your fish and your enjoyment/learning of them. Clowns are pretty hardy, adn a couple in your tank should do just fine if you keep your eye on the params of the water adn keep a scheduled maintenance program. We have only given insights that help keep your water premium, and the fish and inverts therein healthy. If you want to have corals for the clowns to play in, you have come to the right place. People here will always try to help. This is a learning experience, and what better reason to learn than for your kids, right? If someone blasts you for making a decision not considered well researched, then they are an asshole adn are denying the truth. That truth is that they made the same mistakes and worse. I killed an entire tank once. Poop happens. However, the actions offered here are time tested and really work. Best wishes, and dont hesitate to ask any questions or pm me or somebody else with any questions/comments.

 

[b-baby80]

Originally Posted by sepulatian
I am very sorry if I made you feel like I was judging you. I certainly am not. I am trying to help you make good choices for your tank. You can get a clown fish if that is what your son wants. With proper planning you could have a pair of clowns host an anemone. That certainly is not necessary though. It is your tank and the inhabitants are up to you. You are limited in species that you can keep. You cannot, for example, keep any kind of tang in a 55. Those fish are very active and the tank is just to small to keep them. I did not know what kind of fish that you were looking to keep. There are certain kinds of fish("Dori") that you will not be able to house.
Well i know i want simple,hardy and colorful.Oh and preferable some that all eat the same things.I like them with a little size but not huge.This damsel is tiny and hiding in my rock LOL!I am hoping to eventually have a anemone that my clowns would host.Although i know that doesn't always happen.Especially with captivity bred ones.
By the way what kind of fish was Dori?

I saw a valentini puffer at the LFS that was just so cute and shy.I think he was cute and thought we may get him if he was still their.When the time comes.What do you think?

 

[b-baby80]

Sorry for making ya'll feel bad.It's a new board and i was just maybe getting a wrong vibe.Thanks very much for helping me