i'm new to this, what do you think of my tank?

[solarscar]

Hey guys, i have lots of very good info here about keeping a saltwater tank... I haven't had this one very long, had the fish a couple weeks. Tang, Hermit, Sea Cucumber, Clown, Anenome and a Brittle Star.....
I got a prism red sea skimmer, cascade 1000 canister filter and a aqua clear HOB. Got live sand (3 bags at $60 bucks a bag!) some dead coral and a 75 gallon tank.... How do you think it looks? I just don't know of any saltwater aquarists around here.
Thanks!
Adam

 

[triga22]

Im just wondering but did you cycle your tank and do you have good enough light for the anenome?

 

[lion_crazz]

Well, unfortunately, both the star and the anemone need a very mature aquarium. On top of that, they would benefit incredibly from a good amount of live rock, as would the tang. Unfortunately, they may not do well for much longer.
Before putting any more live animals in that tank, I would strongly recommend you add live rock. I am not flaming you or anything, I am just giving a recommendation so that you can see your tank and your animals thrive.

 

[solarscar]

I didn't cycle the water, i guess i had the water in, treated it with some dechlorinator, added a little bacteria slim guess stuff (can't remember the name) then used the live rock which the LFS owner said that it automatically cycles the tank, just wait for 24 hours. She says that is what she does, I did that and my fish don't have ich and seem happy and healty...... All ph is normal, zero amonia, nitrates are normal, temp is at 80 degrees.... I just keep an eye on that anenome since i hear its gets affected easy... If my tank conditions sucked, would the fish have started to die by now though?

 

[triga22]

Mabey not already die unless they were horiable but they would show stress marks and get ich. You do need live rock though.. otherwise looks good

 

[mikeyjer]

You might get lucky since you bought live sand, but still, the tank is very young to be keeping all those stuff. You need to keep an eye on everything and keep premixed water available to do water changes when needed. What type of lighting do you have anyway?? You may need to upgrade your lighting!!! Otherwise, take that anemone back. You should feed that brittle star cause there's nothing for it to eat!!! Good Luck! :happyfish

 

[solarscar]

I have 10,000k coral light and an ultra-violet light. Is that enough light? It looks like no light is on in that pic because it took it with a flash. Here is one without the flash....

 

[drewsta]

Is it florescent bulbs or are they pc what are the watts per bulb and how many bulbs do you have?

 

[maxalmon]

Looks like a regular hood fixture, might be wrong, but I would start reading a lot of the post on lighting setups on this forum. Get rid of that sandstone rock and add some LR, not much, maybe 5lbs at a time or you will possibly cause a spike in your tank

 

[agent707]

Hey guys, i have lots of very good info here about keeping a saltwater tank...
So where did you miss the part about cycling your tank?
That's a LFS for you. "Just use this, you'll be ready for fish in 24 hours. See you tomorrow!"

 

[surfinusa]

your tank looks good all i would do is get about 100 pounds of live rock and get some more fish and corals if you want and you will have a really cool tank

 

[agent707]

I wouldn't start advising corals... not with the light fixture he has.
Get Live Rock.... and wait about 3 months or 4 months... then think about other things.
Establish your tank.

 

[lion_crazz]

Originally Posted by Agent707
I wouldn't start advising corals... not with the light fixture he has.
Get Live Rock.... and wait about 3 months or 4 months... then think about other things.
Establish your tank.
I very much agree.

 

[fishy7]

Nice looking tank and welcome to the boards. :joy:
1) I would not trust your LFS as much as you do/so question what they are telling you.
2) Slow down just a bit. I have seen so many cases where all is grand and happy for about a month then it all falls apart and you end up scratching your head asking why did all my stuff die and out a few bucks.
3) Research and more research.
4) I suggest taking your anemone back I do not think you have sufficient lighting and he needs an established tank. If he does: Your LFS will give you a cheap excuse as to why it died and no store credit.
This is just my 2 cents on the matter and good luck.

 

[tonypal85]

I agree with everyone, MOST LFS will tell you anything to get a sale. Its sad but it does happen, they are a business and have families to feed. You really should have cycled your tank first, takes about 6 weeks or so. Everything may seem fine now, but the {edit - langauge} will hit the fan! Nothing good happens quickly in saltwater aquariums. I would suggest doing TONS of research. {EDIT - Link} Reading and planning is key to this hobby ( so is spending alot of money). Please take your time, do your research, it will make your experience in this hobby that much more satisfying!
Good luck!!!
~Tony
PS. I see you have a yellow tang. Please make sure that little guy gets some NORI to graze on everyday. You can buy NORI at your grocery store, or an asian food store. You dont need to pay for overpriced NORI at your LFS, its the same thing. The best thing to do is just get a small rock and rubberband a 3in x 3in sheet to the rock. Then let it drop to the bottom. Your yellow tang will stay very healthy because of this. Also treat him to some meaty foods as well such as some mysis shrimp, and even other frozen veggie matter. But make sure you do this, it is imperative to your Yellow Tangs health!

 

[chief26]

when you said you didnt cycle that you were told that the LR would cycle it. what did they tell you was LR? I dont want to sound mean I was once new to this too. I did a bunch of things wrong before i came to this site and now 7 months into this i am still learning alot. but, where is the LR they sold you?? I dont see it.

 

[dvst8r]

ouch somebody call the fire department this poor guy has 3rd degree burns all over from being flames so much....hey bro the tank looks good might wanna check out the a few good books you can find them on sale on this website if you look under dry goods
GOOD LUCK.......AND........GOOD FISHING

 

[zanoshanox]

It looks good but LR is definitly a necessity. And the cycle usually takes 3-4 weeks, just pray that you lucked out. Other than that looks good so far.

 

[tonypal85]

DVST8R: I dont think anyone is really flamming him. He was asking for some help and we are just giving him some feedback.

 

[omgsaltwat]

Welcome to saltwater and no one here is trying to be mean and tell you what to do..But most people have been doing this for many years..and thay are just trying to help and they can because we all care about the things we keep very much..So don't feel like you are be bashed everyone is just here to help.....