Looking for advice

[regaldragon]

Hi all - this is my first post on this board, and I am just startin my very first saltwater tank. I have a 55 gallon which I have put a 25 pound bag of live sand in and another thirty pounds of sand. Along with the filter and heater and all the water, I just added 13 pounds of live rock yesterday. I've had the store do tests on my water several times - yesterday my pH was at 8.2, Nitrates were at 40; and Nitrite was at 1.0 . They guys at the shop seemed to think that was pretty good and said I could most likely add fish fairly soon. I don't want to rush things and kill my fish. Any advice on if I need anything else before I put them in?
I also have a question about what fish are good for a beginner? I would really like to get a tang, especially the Regal Tang (and no, that doesn't have anything to do with the 'Nemo' movie! lol). Anyhow, I would just like to know who would be compatible with that guy or who might be a better choice to start off with. Thanks everyone, I appreciate the help!

 

[nas19320]

How long has the tank been up and running? Also I think most people will tell you that no tang should be put in a 55 because even a small tang will quickly outgrow the tank and also they like to swim alot.

 

[maroonclownfan]

Regal-
Your water parameters need to be Ammonia 0 and Nitrite 0 before adding any livestock. Some nitrates are OK, but you should really try to get those down too, otherwise you will probably have an algea problem. Nitrates to fish are like smog to you and me. You can live with it, but not preferred.
About the Tang.....It is not recommended to add a delicate fish like a tang to a new aquarium. They very commonly contract ICH (especially Regal Tangs) and need a well established tank. I would recommend you not get a tang for your tank anytime soon. At least wait 6 months with no problems.
You have started out great by using Live sand and Live rock, just be patient and you will avoid most problems new people have. Start with some hardier fish when the time comes. Like clowns, chromis, gobies, basslets, something along those lines. Save the bigger more delicate fish for when you have more experience.
Also, welcome to the board and the hobby....Cheers.
MCF

 

[regaldragon]

Thanks for the great replies so far! My tank has had water and been running with a filter since the third of this month. The live rock just went in yesterday, so I'm hoping that those will begin to help out with the nitrates and nitrites. I'm glad I asked about those since the people at the fish store told me that my water was almost near perfect.... What people will tell you when you spend $500 in a week at their store lol. Anyways, I will keep posting, and thanks for all the great advice so far!
Oh and one more thing - are Green Mandarins fairly hardy fish? And what's their behavior like? I really like their colorations, but have been unable to find much on them online. Thanks again!

 

[maroonclownfan]

Please do not get a Mandarin.....I am speaking from experience. They need a very very mature tank with an extremely abundant supply of pods (amphipods, copepods, and other reef bugs). They are extremely hard to keep because they generally starve except in large healthy tanks.
With this in mind, wait a very long time before considering a Mandarin, at least a year and add a bunch of LR. In the mean time, read up on their requirements. You may want to reconsider. I made the mistake like many others, so consider this sound advice. IMO, I think it is necessary to also have a refugium connected to your main tank in order to support a mandarin, but that is JMO.
Anyway, good luck with your tank and ask questions often. Knowledge is its own reward. Sorry if I sounded discouraging, not trying too.
MCF

 

[infalable]

Hey RegalDragon, welcome to the board. My I suggest patience, patience, and then a bit more patience. Let your tank mature a bit before adding to it. I think you will have more success that way. Use this board a lot when you have questions. The folks here are top notch. Also, use the search feature, it will answer almost all of your questions. Hope you have much success with your tank.

 

[beaslbob]

Originally posted by RegalDragon
....
!
I would wait three weeks after all live sand and live rock has been added before adding fish.
They tell me a tang in a 55g is a no no. woopsie my signature says I have one. Seems they get real large and need space to swim. Tangs must be the last fish added. Plus they tend to be sensitive to water conditions. In my case that all added up to 6 months or more before adding the tang.
As soon as your nitrItes get down to 0.0, you could try adding a male mollie. they are inexpensive and hardy. Just don't feed him for a week. then feed only a flake per day for the second week. Add a female the third week and watch them have babies. three year old should find that interesting.

 

[toungetwster]

In my opinion...I would wait at least 2 more weeks before adding ANY fish. This will give yuur tank time to become more stable...also will give you time to do some research on various kinds of fish. I agree on the Regal...stay away from them for a year or so...until you become for in-tuned to potential tank problems...with LR & LS you don't want to be trying to treat for ICK within the first few months...also Mandrians need much more natural food than you are even close to being ready to provide with your recent tank set-up. Blue/Gree Chromis are good...also possibly a dwarf lion, maybe a clown or possibly even a trigger..something like a

[hr]
...depending on what kind of set up you want down the road....Just give it some thought before you start buying...once you make your first fish purchase that will set the tone for whatever else you may want to get...Good Luck and Welcome to our board!!!

 

[jlem]

I think that a tang in a 55 is fine. I would not pack the 55 full of rock and put in a tang and I would not put one in your tank until you are sure that your tank readings are at zero. Tangs need some good swimming room. I guess I should say that 4 ft of swimming room is good for at the most one tang ( not a 4 ft tank with 500 lbs of rock and 10 gallons of water ). I would just let your tank do it's thing for a couple weeks until your levels read zero. I'm throwing a lot of info out about the tang because chances are the tang bug will bite you pretty soon. The biggest thing with the tang is water quality. You can do good size water changes quite often and keep a tang right off the bat, but do you really want to change 15 gallons every week for a couple months? My advice is to wait a couple weeks, checking water quality often with test kits and then add the tang after ammonia, and nitrite are reading zero for a good week. Do a couple good water changes during that week. Make sure to feed plenty of Nori and mix your food with garlic and some sort of food booster. Make sure to get one of the hardier tangs. One tang in a 55 will really limit what else can go in that tank. Just make sure to get all the advice you can before making purchases.

 

[regaldragon]

WOW - lots of info here so far. I'm glad I got on and posted about these things. I knew that even with all the books and websites I was reading on, nothing would compare to the experience of all the people on this message board. This is really great, and I'm glad I asked. I know that I must seem really stupid about these things, but I figured it would be better to ask and look like I have half a brain rather than lose $50 of fish in a week. I work hard for that money.... speaking of which... *takes off for work*
Thanks for all the advice, I really appreciate it!

 

[jlem]

Your don't sound stupid at all. The mistake that lots of people make is to take in all of this info and then when the LFS tells them what they want to here they throw all that knowlege to the way side and make a bad purchase. So you are really off on the right foot by seeking knowledge from knowlegable folks that don't give a darn about making a living off of your wallet

 

[sinner's girl]

another no for a Regal Tang in a 55gl, unless you plan on getting a bigger tank soon.
clownfish are great fish to start with, they are hardy and have lots of personality.
props for not cycling with live fish. and always ask, even if you think you know. be aware of listening to lfs...get more than one opinion.
Good luck and welcome to the board.