Hey Guys

[dstruked]

I am extremely new to all this puchased a 55 gallon salt water setup and was looking through here ate soe fish.... What does reef safe mean.. Right now I dont have any live rock or Live sand Just some crushed coral. A tomatoe Clown and a Arc Eyed hawk. I got this setup from a freind who could not move it with him... Was wondering what ould be good/fun first start.
Any help would be Awesome..
-=Bri=-i :help:

 

[puffer32]

First take out the crushed coral, need more info on your set up in order to help you more. Is your tank cycled yet? If not, it will be easy to take out coral, get some sand and LR, then cycle your tank with a cocktail shrimp. Then you can start thinking about fish!

 

[dstruked]

I am getting a tank from a freind he has had it for quite some time. THe tomato Clown is over 6 years old and the Arc Eyed Hawk is almost 6.. That seeme like a long lifespan to me... It has a penguin 330 filter a heater ad whatnot. It has some crushed coral along the floorbed and a coulpe pieces of coral.. This is not a reef setup. Id like to try an maintain the setup the way it is just for a little while to get used to this hobby before i try and start doing reef stuff. He gave me a whole new bag of crushed coral for the floor with the aquarium... With this crushed coral be a limiting factor for getting fish.. Do I need Live rock and sand to realy have a descent setup???
These post are really great you guys seem to help eachother out alot,
Thanks for the Help
-=Bri=-

 

[slick]

Ok, you can leave the cc in there if you want but it will be alot more work to keep it clean. I like using a DSB (deep sand bed) for many reasons. Do a search to learn more about DSB's. What you add to your tank depends on what you want to do with the tank. There are a lot of options there as well. Everything from no sand or live rock (LR) or a fish only with live rock (FOWLR) to a full blown reef tank. All these different set ups are different and require different amounts of money, and care to maintain. As far as what reef safe fish are, that usually means they won't nip at or eat corals. My suggestion is for you to spend some time doing searches, and reading some books, and posts here. Good luck

 

[monalisa]

Welcome to the board!!
I'm kinda new here too. From what I've read consistently is that crushed coral substrate is a trap for bad stuff, bacteria that you don't want, or something like that. Definately ditch it to make your saltwater life easier.
I notice that you will already be acquiring fish...not sure what to do with them while you make the change...like I said I'm kinda new at this too. I'm sure that someone here will be able to advise you on that.
At any rate, welcome, welcome. Post often, and read lots!!!
Lisa :happyfish

 

[who dey]

yup, get the LS!! I unfortunatly use argonite and it is the worst thing ever created on earth (next to damsels) and it is so hard to keep it clean not to mention the waste trapping it does. i hate it GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

 

[irishsalt]

Originally Posted by WHO DEY
yup, get the LS!! I unfortunatly use argonite and it is the worst thing ever created on earth (next to damsels) and it is so hard to keep it clean not to mention the waste trapping it does. i hate it GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

Man could I not agree more bro.
Well, As I just mentioned in another thread. I started my tank with 20pounds ArgoAlive LS. It SERIOUSLY jumpstarted my tank and god bless it for that BUT.......It's totally ugly(the Indo Pacific color), It's impossible to keep as clean as I'd like, and it's totally ugly..lol.
ArgoNite/Alive comes in various colors and sizes but I'm not crazy about any of it to be blunt. To each their own.
I'm taking my entire tank apart and adding Key LS like they have - this site Then I'm using my Ugly AgroAlive for a Refug on my 125Reef. I only like the super Fine(white) Sandbox sand or the stuff they sell here.
Peace

 

[dstruked]

I have a penguin 3300 filter. I dropped into the local tropical fish store and was told that the LS would trash this filter pretty fast.. I am starting to get overwhelmed by the amount of things that can be done with these aquariums... at the moment I am planning on keeping the setup the way it is for a little bit maybe adding a fish or two before seriously doing work with it, unless there is something that would be extremely benificial. I am interested in getting a few fish, a percula clown fish, a bursa trigger, and a puffer... Are these fish okay with each other and with a tomato clown and a arc eyed hawk.
Thanks for the help guys
Sorry for all the questions... I am getting some books soon : p
-=Bri=-

 

[irishsalt]

Originally Posted by dstruked
I have a penguin 3300 filter. I dropped into the local tropical fish store and was told that the LS would trash this filter pretty fast.. I am starting to get overwhelmed by the amount of things that can be done with these aquariums... at the moment I am planning on keeping the setup the way it is for a little bit maybe adding a fish or two before seriously doing work with it, unless there is something that would be extremely benificial. I am interested in getting a few fish, a percula clown fish, a bursa trigger, and a puffer... Are these fish okay with each other and with a tomato clown and a arc eyed hawk.
Thanks for the help guys
Sorry for all the questions... I am getting some books soon : p
-=Bri=-
As long as you don't mind your Trigger eating your Clown then you'll be fine...lol.
Seriously it's possible to have Agressive Fish with peacefull fish when they're Juvys, when the Agressive fish get big enough THEY WILL EAT YOUR HAPPY GO LUCKY FISH.
Take a Deep breath and take in as much info as possible hear and aborad. You'll thank yourself in the long run if you don't do anything on compulse/impulse.

 

[dstruked]

Yea was just reading about the triggers its to bad about them eating the little guys. Such is life.... I'll have to save the trigers for another time.
I was looking into getting some "Clean Up Crew" and was wondering what would be good choices for fish only 55 Gallon... A banded Shrimp... and some snails......
Better get to bed before i stay up all night reading again...
Thanks for the help guys
-=Bri=-

 

[irishsalt]

Hey dude,
If you want to keep Agressive Fish, You need to have an AgressiveFishOnly tank...period. I personally woulnd't reco anything smaller then 120 for agressive fish based on experience. You just can't do much with a 55g agressive tank. Then check out the Aggressive Fish forum here.
As for your Clean UP crew. To each their own......I love Turbo Snails, Hermit Crabs& Cleaner Shrimp for some basic Bad boy cleaners.

 

[newbiereef]

jmo but i would also add some live rock because it is like a natural filter and is beneficial to any tank. also it gives the fish you have places to hide which makes them more secure and less stressed, which can help prevent illness
herb

 

[dstruked]

I'd like to add some live rock, but I dont know what my limitations are with my equipment. If i get live rock do I need to get new lights to sustain them... Can someone explain to me where the line for calling it a reef tank starts... Can you have the LS and the LR as long as you dont have anemonies and such ....?
8:30 and another day of learning begins. :happy:
Have a go one
-=Bri=-

 

[newbiereef]

you are right, you can have livrrock, and LS and its still not a reef tank. the rock is just for the natural look and for filtration, you dont need MH lighting or anything like that just cause you have LR so go get some and enjoy.

 

[dstruked]

Ok so I am planning on getting some clowns and in reading sounds like tehy sure would enjoy some anemones.. Can i get those or is that where yous start to get into reef systems and the big $$$??
-=Bri=-

 

[tthemadd1]

**edited** Stay away from anenomes. **clownfish use anenomes for cover/protection. The ones that work well are expensive and need expert care**You really need to look into the posts on starting a tank. You are smart for asking the questions. FOr now stay with fish and inverts like snails, crabs, shrimp. Dont go for the anenomes or coral right away. They are very hard to take care of. They need special lighting and are sensative to water quality. *This is definately a hobby of patience. I got my first coral about a year after I setup my tank** Just keep researching and you'll get there. If you do decide to get an anenome you should have water test kits, study up on water quality, It is really important to have the right lighting as well. What type of light is on the tank?

 

[dstruked]

It is a really basic setup.. I am planning on keeping the clown and the hawk. maybe adding another fish or 2 plus some snails and shrimp. The light that is currently in it is just your standard flourescent 4' light.
-=Bri=-
P.S. This is definatly the most useful forum for any type of hobby or topic I have ever found. Everyone is so helpful.

 

[latino277]

Welcome.... you have been asking some good questions. but you missing one big one.... your buying a used/ running system. do you know how to move it to you house?

 

[it's_fishy]

Hey Bri....
I'm pretty new to the hobby myself but i've researched alot and figured you might like to hear from a fellow rookie.
like everyone else, i would agree to stay away from the Crushed Coral (CC) and get yourself some live sand (LS) and live rock (LR). i have 20lbs. of CC over 40lbs. of LS and am in the painstaking process of removing my CC. and i'd definately get LR. i can tell it has helped ALOT with the bio-filtration in my 29g tank. i woud venture to guess that the LR and LS in my tank has helped considerably in keeping my fish alive thru some of the mistakes i've made.
as for LS messing up your filter...(be skeptical about advice at local pet stores).....i've NEVER heard anyone on here mention that so i seriously doubt it to be true. I've only been in the hobby for a couple months and i already know more about it than some of the "experts" at area stores.
Also, you may already know this but 2 huge mistakes that many newbies (including myself) make are
1. Do NOT use tap water when doing water changes. Use RO (reverse osmosis) water. You can get it cheap at wal-mart ($0.58/gallon at mine). Comes in the green labeled bottles.
2. Do NOT use copper-based disease treatments. It kills many of the non-fish critters in your tank and is an EXTREME pain in the ass to remove once you put it in (it's the gift that keeps on killing, lol).
Hope i was of some help
Happy fishing

 

[irishsalt]

Originally Posted by latino277
Welcome.... you have been asking some good questions. but you missing one big one.... your buying a used/ running system. do you know how to move it to you house?
Good Question Latino?
Como Estas Latino277? Is that the Flag of Chile, in your Avatar? lol, I just broke up with my woman of three years from Chile. Muy Bonita e Muy Intelligente pero Muy loca!
Yeah dude, this is a great forum IME> Lots of PErsons willing to go out of their way to help and lots of Knowledge in general. You'd be wise to follow the above posters advice. LiveRock is the Fundemental Foundation of a beautiful and Healthy Marine tank. LR IS the Best Bio filtration you can get and it can be flat out gorgeous and a home/safe haven for many critters. Your standard Floro tubes will be fine for just a Fish Only tank but I'd reco - least one *Blue* Bulb like the Cora-lifes or the Kent Marin-glo. You WILL get pretty coraline growth on your LR with just regular floro tubes but it'll be better with powerfull lights.
LiveSand is a Matter of prefference really but I'd reco - least 40lbs of LS for your tank. The Grain size of the Sand/substrate can range from fine as powdered sugar to Big Chunks. I love the look of the Caribbiean PlaySand that they sell - HOmeDepot. This will also save you money. Then just add some real LiveSand to seed the sand bed and get your pods going crazy.
You have much to learn Daniel Son(HAHA) and your wise for asking and on the right path. CHeack out the Search feature this site has and get to reading. Every Possible question you could have has surely been asked MANY times before.
Peace&Good Luck.