My new 55 gal

[monsterm]

Hi everyone,
Here is a look at my 55gal fish only tank. If you have any suggestions feel free. Thanks to everyone who helped.

Mo

 

[monsterm]

here is my tang and clown

 

[jlem]

Is that an in tank skimmer in the corner. A friend of mine had one of those and it worked awesome and was pretty much silent. Your tank looks really good. I would suggest getting a blue background for your tank. The blue really looks nice. I used left over blue wrapping paper.

 

[monsterm]

Thanks jlem,
And yes it is a inside skimmer, berlin air lift to be exact.

 

[saltcreep]

Blue or back background and it will look great. I was using on of those in tank skimmers in my 55 and they do work fairly well and real quiet. Put it in my 125 for extra skimmimg. Cheap and effective. Great start!

 

[chandler04]

How long has that been running? Also, where did you get this, cuz it looks like the one that I bought. Not to knock on u or anything, but maybe it would be a good idea to get some live rock in there, or at least live sand and a fuge with live rock. You need bacteria and whatnot. The tang will be good for now, but just watch him. If he starts to look funny, bring him back to the LFS. And, please, when did u start the tank, and how long have the fish been IN the tank. Thanx

 

[monsterm]

Thanks for your advice. My tank has been running for about two months now. As for the sand I put 55lbs of bio-active live reef sand in the tank to help with the cycle. It also helps stablize the ph. I used the two clowns to help cycle the tank so they have been in there for two months. I have the tang, catilina goby, and yellow tail damsel that are three weeks old. I also have a hermit crab that has anemone on its shell for two months and blue leg hermits. I hope to add more fish by the end of the month so look out for more pics to see the progression of the tank.
Mo

 

[chandler04]

Okay then, I guess yer doing good. If u want yer corals to stay pretty though, yer gonna need to clean them up alot or have a LOT of water flow.

 

[saltymom]

I think it looks very nice for such ayoung ta! You do need a background, it will change the appearance 110% for the better! I LOVE your clowns, they are so pretty!
those corals if they are fake ( I assume they are?? ) sorry if they arent! .... if they are fake u can scrub them with a brush and vinegar water..and give them a rinse... in case u dont get it all off it wont hurt anything.. just dont use a bleach solution and think u can rinse it all away, cuz u never can.
Is there a red and blue fish there in the front of that big red rock in the first pic? What is that? the catalina goby?

 

[monsterm]

Thanks im glad you like it. They are all dead coral skeletons. They weigh a lot. The blue that you see is myyellow tail damsel, its a shame that I had to put him in my qt for bad behavior he brings a lot of color to the set up. yes that small orange-red streak on the red coral is the golby. I hope to take more pics. I just can't seem to get good focused shots. Can anyone help?
Thanks.
Mo

 

[saltymom]

lol, bad behavior, hes on a time out huh! I feel like doin that to my powder brown, he is being aweful to my new little yellow tang. He is keeping him cornered in a hole. The yellow will sneak around and get out, but as soon as he sees the brown lookin at him, he high tails it back to cover! I hope they get over it! Those two kinds are supposed to get along!
I have the same prob getting close shots. ..and I have a pretty decent camera too, I dont know the secret, wwish I did. I even bought a camera with a digital zoom..and I cant use it.. everything is blurry if I do.
The best pics I get are usually from a couple of steps back from the tank.

 

[mary]

Saltymom, Your tangs won't get along. The agressive one will only prove to cause ill health to the other tang. They only become more aggressive.. It took me years to finally get a mimic tang out of my tank. Felt horribly guilty because it was a pet, but, it was havoc to have in the tank. Monitered everything and was a real nuisance. After removing him, the shrimp came out into the open, other fish that I rarely saw came out. Now I've a happy tank; just wish the six line wrasse wasn't there. Prevents me from putting other wrasses in, or lesser agressive fish. It is very aggressive. The books don't tell you everything! If you don't want stressed fish, which leads to illness, get it out. Your LFS will take it back! Or should.

 

[ty_05_f]

Just a little fyi the catalina goby likes cooler water but will tolerate the tropical temps. Their natural water temp is between 60 and 72 degrees since they come from around catalina island.

 

[mary]

Monster, Had you read anything about the positive benefits of live rock for all the inhabitants? The good bacteria and such? Fish will for the long haul, be much happier and healthier. Restaurants resupply their fish in tanks which probably do not get sufficient water changes, but those tanks lose fish constantly and the co's that care for the tanks simply keep adding new fish. I know because I ask who cares for such tanks and how many fish die on a monthly basis in tanks which haven't any live rock . Waiters are always very informative when questioned about the demise of the fish in those tanks. You could have both. Just add some live rock, maybe 40-50 lbs. of it. Just hate to see fish in such an unnatural existance, but it's your tank and your money. Good luck anyway. Can't say everything is perfect {algea} in my tank but have had the same fish except for additions, for ten years with 75lbs{at least} of live rock. In time, live critters develop and multiply in live rock giving natural food to some of your fish, and of course algeas that develop, tangs eat. Yes, you will get bristle worms but they airrate the subdtratum and actually do some good. Also eat up left over debri . I catch them under rocks easily with patience, and toss out the larger ones from time to time. Sorry for running on!