Help With New Tank Please!!!

[bubbleskik]

:help: I'm New To Saltwater Tanks, But I Am Very Experinced In Fresh And Tropical Tanks. I Do Know Some About Saltwater Tanks, I Have Researched A Lot On Them, I Also Have Taken Care Of One For 3 Weeks For A Friend While They Were Away, All I Had To Do Though Was Keep The Salinity At The Right Level, So I'm Not To Experienced. I Have A 55 gallon Tank, That I Would Like To Use For A Saltwater Aqaurium, I Have Read That Bigger Aqauriums Are Easier To Maintain. But Would A 55 Gallon Tank Be To Big For Me??? Or Would It Be Just Fine???

Since I Am New At This Any Advice You Could Give Me Before I Set My Tank Up And Purchase Livestock :happyfish , Would Help A Lot!!!Also What Are Some Good Hardy Fish I Can Start With??? How Many Fish Can I Keep In A 55 Gallon Tank??? If You Have Any Advice Please E-mail It To Me At bubbleskiks@yahoo.com And Please Make The Subject Say Something About Fish Or Just Reply On Here!!! Thanks!!! :help:

 

[ddress007]

55G is a good starter. Research the sticky threads. Damsels are really hardy and a good beginner fish. Best advice be patient, most people dive in and lose alot of livestock.

 

[bubbleskik]

Thanks, A Lot Of People Say Let Your Tank Run Empty For 1 Cycle Before Putting In Any Livestock... But How Long Is 1 Cycle???

 

[lion_crazz]

Originally Posted by Bubbleskik
Thanks, A Lot Of People Say Let Your Tank Run Empty For 1 Cycle Before Putting In Any Livestock... But How Long Is 1 Cycle???
A cycle will run 4-8 weeks. A 55 is a good starter tank, definitely not too big. When you get your tank and fill it with water, buy all your live rock and put it direcly in your tank. You want about 60 lbs. of live rock to start. Leave your rock in for 4-8 weeks and then you will be ready for your first fish.

 

[ddress007]

cycle refers to getting the water quality balanced. It depends on how long. You will need tests kits, see archives. Usually takes at least a couple of weeks. However, some fish will require an established tank with a plethora of microalgae.

 

[bubbleskik]

lol thanks, so I should put the rock in before I get it balanced, then once it's balanced i can put a fish in???

 

[ddress007]

thats the idea, but research the fish's needs first.

 

[bubbleskik]

Oh i will