Lighting system???

[tanknoobs]

Hello, My fiance and I have recently started up this hobby, but have no clue about any of it. We have purchased an all glass 50 gallon saltwater tank that has an old school single bulb lighting system with it. I would like to know what is the best route to upgrade? Should we do the multi light system with "Daylight" and "Moonlight"? I also saw some of these blue led lighting systems for the "Moonlight" lighting, do they work, or it it just a cheap immitaion that annoys the fish? We cannot afford to spend a ton of money of a lighting system, so we are looking for a cheaper way that will still be good for the fish all around. This tank we purchased also came with a Tetratec brand UV clarifier and Marineland convertable filter, what are these used for and are they good for saltwater tanks? We have three fish in the tank now, an Emperor Snapper, a Snowflake eel, and some type of Damselfish, I would like to expand what we have inside the tank with some crabs, shrimp, lobster, more liverock, and live plants (mushroom, anemone, coral) but have no clue about what is best for this type of tank. Every pet shop we talk to gives us the runaround about the product they have is best and I'm just sick of that. I just want some color in the tank and to have the fish and plants as heathy as possible. Thank you for reading my post and any help would be greatly appreciated. Joe and Jasmine.

 

[zeroc]

whoa whoa whoa. How long has this tank been set up? I have a feeling not long, if so you're going to have huge problems. First off the snapper is going to get WAY too big for that tank, it shouldn't be in a tank smaller then 180 gallons. They're also not reef safe, they'll eat inverts. Snowflake eels will eat inverts as well. First you should be worrying about having a stable system with appropriate inhabitants. How much live rock do you have? what about live sand? do you have a clean up crew? (snails, hermits crab)?

 

[tanknoobs]

Yes, I just set this tank up 3 days ago. The guy I purchased everything from runs a shop down the street from me and seemed to give me the runaround. Everything is actually only in a 15 gallon tank right now with a Penguin 200 bio wheel. I have 20 lbs of sand in the tank with about 7 lbs of live rock and some extra structure in the tank for hiding places. I was told from the guy that these fish live well together. The snapper and eel seem to do great but the damsel fish is picking on the snapper constantly. I couldn't afford to setup the 50 gallon the way I was told it should be setup and was told that the 15 gal would run it just fine for now. I am very confused with this whole thing and just need to know what to do... Sick of shop owners bullsh!ting me. We are just a young couple interested in getting in this beautiful hobby and doing it correctly.
Thank you all for your help,
Joe and Jasmine

 

[nigerbang]

Originally Posted by TankNoobs
Yes, I just set this tank up 3 days ago. The guy I purchased everything from runs a shop down the street from me and seemed to give me the runaround. Everything is actually only in a 15 gallon tank right now with a Penguin 200 bio wheel. I have 20 lbs of sand in the tank with about 7 lbs of live rock and some extra structure in the tank for hiding places. I was told from the guy that these fish live well together. The snapper and eel seem to do great but the damsel fish is picking on the snapper constantly. I couldn't afford to setup the 50 gallon the way I was told it should be setup and was told that the 15 gal would run it just fine for now. I am very confused with this whole thing and just need to know what to do... Sick of shop owners bullsh!ting me. We are just a young couple interested in getting in this beautiful hobby and doing it correctly.
Thank you all for your help,
Joe and Jasmine

Really...The eel or the snapper will not live in a 15 gallon..Not in the long run or short term either. 3 days..You are going to experi. what is a cycle..The Ammonia will rise then change to Nitrite and then to Nitrate...Not good for fish to live through..Ammonia tends to burn gills. The best thing to do is to slow down and do some reading..Who ever told you that it would work was intrested in money and not helping you...On this board we dont get paid. So who would you be inclined to trust..Someone who will help for free or someone that will make money off of mistakes..I would try and find new homes for the fish and just ease into the hobby..Smaller tanks(nano's) are somewhat harder to take care of than larger tanks..If anything changes or gets off in a nano, it will have more bad repercussions and alot faster..

 

[mojo46825]

I would try to get the 50 gal set up as soon as possible. Dont rush putting your creatures in there and by all means dont buy anymore. You will have to figure out what you ant. This is one of the drawbacks in this hobby. I havea reef tank but I like fish that arent reef safe. I like the reef more. I wouldl love a tank full of angel fish. You can only have one in your tank dafely unless you have a huge tank. You get my point.So with the things you have you probably wont be able to keep inverts.
First thing first. Get hte large tank setup and get some water running through it. You going to use a sump? You can start out pretty simple by using a small tank like your 15 gallon . I would probably go with a 20 gallon long at least for your sump. Just do a search on sumps or refugiums on this forum and you will get alot of ideas. The lighting for fish only isnt a big deal. Your mainly looking for something to give you the color you want. As far as corals. You will need something more. I would suggest reading alot of the forums on this board to get some ideas. Take it slow. And ask lots of question before spending that hard earned $$$$ . The rewards of having a thrining reef are worth it.

 

[tanknoobs]

I really might go back to the shop today and rip this guy a new one... I HATE being lied to and this guy knew we didn't have money to blow!!! I have no clue about anything with how to startup a tank.. I don't even know what a sump is or does, lol... wow My name does suit me huh.. TankNoobs. I guess it is safer for me to buy pre made saltwater, or should I make it myself? Ugh wow I wish I would have researched more instead of relying on a shop owner. He didn't even sell me a test kit or anything.. told me the tank would be fine till next week and to bring in a test sample of the water.
Thank you all so much and keep the replies coming I need all of the advise I can get.
Thanks,
Joe and Jasmine

 

[nigerbang]

Originally Posted by TankNoobs
I really might go back to the shop today and rip this guy a new one... I HATE being lied to and this guy knew we didn't have money to blow!!! I have no clue about anything with how to startup a tank.. I don't even know what a sump is or does, lol... wow My name does suit me huh.. TankNoobs. I guess it is safer for me to buy pre made saltwater, or should I make it myself? Ugh wow I wish I would have researched more instead of relying on a shop owner. He didn't even sell me a test kit or anything.. told me the tank would be fine till next week and to bring in a test sample of the water.
Thank you all so much and keep the replies coming I need all of the advise I can get.
Thanks,
Joe and Jasmine
Test kits are a must..I dont trust anyone to test my water...I make my own water, but if you are going to go that road, then save some headache and buy a RO/DI(Reverse Osmosis/De-Ionzation) unit...Check into Airwaterice they have good stuff..Tap water most the time will end up with tons of algae..Everyone had to learn at one time or another...

 

[tanknoobs]

Thanks again.. remember I am very new to this so speak noob terms for me please, lol.

 

[mojo46825]

RO + REverse Osmosis water. IT is a filtering unit for your water that will remove The particulants from the water. IT usually consist of a filter to remove particles and a carbon filter of sorts to remove chlorine, and a RO membrane to remove the rest. Its about 90 + percent pure. Mine runs about 98%. This water is used to fill your tank and to do water top offs. I bought my water to fill my tank. I didnt get a RO unit until about 4 months into it. Keep it simple. Buy your water at a local store or LFS (local fish store) for filling it. check you saltinity to start. Or get a specific gravity meter. About $30 some dollars on this website and they work well. That will get you started. You will need to test for many other things as well. Such as PH, ammonia, Nitrates, and Nitrites. Thats just the basics. You should also test for Alkalinity, Calcium, magnesium ect if you are keeping corals. Now This is just a brief sample of things. Some test more some less. It does sound like the pet shop owner was trying to make a sale. If you want to get a start you could always try a Nano cube. you would have your lights filter everything you would need to slowly get into the hobby. You stock would have to go. Well the damsel could go in there but not the others. Just a thought.

 

[zeroc]

yeah, this is an expensive (and addictive) hobby. I'm at least a few grand into my tank and it's been about a year and a half for a 75 gallon. but i'd return everything and demand a full refund then read read read and plan plan plan what you want for a tank. Saltwater is TOTAL different from freshwater. Your goal in saltwater is to create a mini ecosystem to take care of itself(for the most part).

 

[mojo46825]

I agree with ZeroC

 

[flinka]

ZeroC is absolutely right. Return everything to the LFS and start over by researching and asking questions - before you spend your money.
BTW, since you are in St. Pete, FL, there have to be many local reefers who would be glad to guide and advise you. Why not join one or two local marine/saltwater groups?
This hobby can be very rewarding if you go slowly and do it right. Two things to remember in this hobby:
Patience is your best friend; and
Good things happen slowly, bad things happen quickly.
Best of luck to you!