Need some suggestions from the pros

superman4p

superman4p

New Member
I am planning on buying my first saltwater tank. My plans start with a 40 gal. tank. I have read lots of info from several sites that say to use certain filters, protein skimmers, powerheads, and such items but don't make suggestions on what exactly to buy. I just want to know what I need to purchase with the tank for saltwater use. I dont want to not buy something I need, nor do I want to leave anything I will need out. I have chosen an online site to purchase LR and LS to start the first cycle with. I am starting with 50lb of LR and 40lb of LS. Will that also be enough.
Any suggestions are welcome and VERY appreciated !!!!!!
thanks ahead for the help.......
 
montidanae

montidanae

Member
Live rock and Live sand works great for filtration,b ut you will need more, for your size tank you dont need a huge skimmer, A Bak Pak skimmer with work great for a 40, but the realy question, do you want a reef tank?
 
superman4p

superman4p

New Member
Thanks for the reply !!! As far as what type of tank. My plans are for the LR and LS, a clean up crew, and a few fish. I was mainly wondering exactly what I need to purchase and what brand equipment the you would suggest.
 
superman4p

superman4p

New Member
Well, I need to do a little more homework on behavior and eating habits prior to buying fish. I knew that I would have at least 4 weeks or more for the first cycle of the tank to do some research but I know I want some clowns and maybe a tang or two.
thanks again !!!!
 
montidanae

montidanae

Member
ahhhhhhh tangs?!?!
tangs need at least 5 feet of swimming room, but Clowns, Gobies, Blennys(as logn as you have the things they eat), Chromis, even mollies are very cooL!
but on a smaller tank you cant realy have anyfish, small tanks are good for mini reefs.
 
superman4p

superman4p

New Member
Thanks for the info, thats why i need to to a little more homework.
Can you give me a small list of what i need to purchase with the tank as far as setup goes. I know now that i will use the skimmer you suggested but what else is a must?
 
lionfish12

lionfish12

Active Member
Read beth's FAq and find out about qting the fish when you get them or MontiDanae can tell you. Im not an expert.
Get maybe:
2- percula clowns
1- green chromis
1- watchman goby
Stick with the easy fish
 
lionfish12

lionfish12

Active Member
dont get the fish yet though.
get some sand, heater, good skimmer, a powerhead, and some nets, test kits, containers to transport fish, ect.
 
new2u

new2u

Member
I dunno chromis like to school i would go with
2 percs
1 LMB
maybe 1 coral beatuy or flame angel later or 1 royal gramma
 
montidanae

montidanae

Member
like lion said, heater, powerheads (move water around the tank adding oxygen to the tank) if you want to keep it a FOWLR then the skimmer, heater powerhead, live rock, live sand is all you need.
but a reef, you would beed some realy good light, a refugium or sump to add to the bio filtration and water volume, 2-3 powerheads etc etc.
 
lionfish12

lionfish12

Active Member

Originally posted by New2u
I dunno chromis like to school i would go with
2 percs
1 LMB
maybe 1 coral beatuy or flame angel later or 1 royal gramma
flame angles are harder to keep. go with a coral bueaty.
 
superman4p

superman4p

New Member
this forum is great !!!!!! Its kinda nice to have all this knowledge around. I have had several freshwater tanks throughout the years and always wanted a saltwater tank. Now its time to take the leap, so thanks again !
 
lionfish12

lionfish12

Active Member
Just take it step by step and dont rush things. First learn more about qting your fish befor you get any fish.
 
superman4p

superman4p

New Member
Will do...... My first priority is getting the tank setup and the first cycle out of the way. During that time I will be able to focus on the different aspects of the marinelife I want to choose.
 
lionfish12

lionfish12

Active Member
:joy: sounds like plan
Your change your mind 50 times befor you pick which fish you want. I've chnaged my mind millions of times befor i found a list for my 125 and i bet ill change it again soon.
 
superman4p

superman4p

New Member
yea I agree. but i figured i would start small (40 or 50 gal) for my first saltwater tank and see how it goes. If all goes well I plan on a much bigger one sometime next year or so. I just want a smaller easier one first. Just to get used to how much care they require and to have some exp. under my belt.
 
lionfish12

lionfish12

Active Member
Some people say larger tanks are better for beginers b/c if something goes wrong it wont have a bigger effect.
I think a 30-50 gallon is fine for a beginer
 
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