Need help new to saltwater hobby and have questions

N

new to saltwater hobby

New Member
I just bought a 55 gallon tank pumps, blowers, lights, u name it. I set the tank up over a week ago and it is up and running all my levels are perfect I have the live sand and live rocks in it already. Now my questions are how long do I need to wait to put in my first fish? What kind of fish are recommended for starters and how many fish can I put in a 55 gallon tank with out them being over crowed? Also i'm not putting a frags or corals or anything else alive in tank now besides fish. any and all help would be great! Thank you
 
beaslbob

beaslbob

Well-Known Member
I recommend you add macro algaes usually in some kind of refugium.

the idea is the algae will consume any ammonia not being reduced by bacteria when you add the first fish. Preventing the ammonia->nitrite spikes.


my .02
 
N

new to saltwater hobby

New Member
beaslbob said:
I recommend you add macro algaes usually in some kind of refugium.

the idea is the algae will consume any ammonia not being reduced by bacteria when you add the first fish. Preventing the ammonia->nitrite spikes.


my .02
Click to expand...
One lady told me to buy like liquid bacteria and put in tank before adding fish is this the same thing?
 
Kristin1234

Kristin1234

Active Member
Your tank needs to go through a full cycle before you add any live stock.

How much live rock did you put in?

There are several ways to induce a cycle but it's usually no quicker than 5-6 weeks.

You can start to ghost feed the rock ( well the bacteria and organisms that live in/on the rock ).

There is a thread on here in how to cycle the tank with a peice of raw shrimp.

And like king macro algae said, macro algae is great! I really regret not starting out with it.
 
Kristin1234

Kristin1234

Active Member
No, and honestly, I wouldn't start it that way.

Chemical cycles/treatments are not how you want to get started.
 
Kristin1234

Kristin1234

Active Member
I think you're talking about Fluval biological enhancer?

I mean, it won't hurt anything but you don't want to solely rely on that as your cycle.

If you did and added any fish, a real cycle will still take place and the anmonia/nitrates/nitrites will still spike and that could kill everything.

You want to let your tank go through the full cycle, do a water chAnge and make sure everything remains stable than you can add the fish.
 
N

new to saltwater hobby

New Member
Kristin1234 said:
Your tank needs to go through a full cycle before you add any live stock.

How much live rock did you put in?

There are several ways to induce a cycle but it's usually no quicker than 5-6 weeks.

You can start to ghost feed the rock ( well the bacteria and organisms that live in/on the rock ).

There is a thread on here in how to cycle the tank with a peice of raw shrimp.

And like king macro algae said, macro algae is great! I really regret not starting out with it.
Click to expand...
there is 8 big rocks in there almost covers bottom of tank if laid out
 
beaslbob

beaslbob

Well-Known Member
new to saltwater hobby said:
One lady told me to buy like liquid bacteria and put in tank before adding fish is this the same thing?
Click to expand...
No.

Macro algae is a form of the "ugly" algae only instead of being a fuzzy mat the are "organized" into plant like structures.

So macros are a living form of plant life that under light consumes ammonia first and nitrate second plus carbon dioxide, phosphates and returns fish food and oxygen. They basically recycle fish wastes

So any ammonia the bacteria can't reduce is consumed by the macros. Then as the aerobic bacteria builds up the macros are forced to use nitrates for nitrogen. So the macros provide a stable balanced and healthy environment for the livestock.

Bacteria in a bottle 1) might be dead and 2) doesn't most of that the macros do.

Chemicals that fix ammonia also reduce oxygen in the process.


my .02
 
Kristin1234

Kristin1234

Active Member
That's great!

Did you read the thread about cycling with a raw peice of shrimp?

Start this and ghost feed. That should get your cycle kick started. Than its the waiting game.
 
Kristin1234

Kristin1234

Active Member
new to saltwater hobby said:
does it matter which kind I get I see there are different kinds
Click to expand...
There are many different kinds that have different requirements. If it were me I'd go for one that is lower maintenance and doesn't ha a to be trimmed as often. One that mostly takes care of itself. Maybe chaeto? Mexican caulerpa was one that was recommended to me but that one needs to be pruned and taken care of I think. Bob would be more help there..

As far as fish, what do you like?
 
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