New Tank Help

[criketnest]

My boyfriend bought me a complete set up for a 65 gal Salt water tank for christmas (early Christmas Present). I filled it and put some substrate on bottom. Have one large live rock and smaller rubble scattered on bottom. We bought some damsels just becauseif something was going to die I wanted it to be the cheap fish and not one I paid alot of money for. My question is I have been reading a book about starting up a new saltwater aquarium and it says the best filter is an underground filter. The Aquarium shop recommended a side hanging filter that can filter a tank up to 90 gallons I think (Largest side filter he had). which is really the best. I have sand on the bottom of the tank so my boyfriend says I cannot have underground filter.
Another question is that I love sharks, eventually I would like to get a type of shark for my aquarium. What kind does everyone recommend? the Shop owner said that one of his customers obtained a shark egg and hatched it in his aquarium? Is this possible? I really feel stupid about this aquarium right now.
Chris

 

[1journeyman]

Welcome to the hobby!
Having said that, Lol, I'm going to scold you just a tad...
First, go throw the book away that you are reading... undergravel filters for saltwater aquariums are nitrate traps, imho. Especially if you put live rock on top of it preventing you from ever taking it out.
Next, do a search on this forum for "cycling". you'll find great advice on how to poperly cycle a tank without killing anything... the easiest way is to go to your grocery store, buy an uncooked cocktail shrimp and throw it into the tank to decompose.
While your cocktail shrimp is decomposing (having taken the damsels back the the local fish store... damsels get big, aggressive, lose their pretty coloration, and turn into territorial nightmares usually...) go out and by Fenner's "A Conscientious Marine Aquarist". This particular book will open your eyes a great deal to keeping marine fish. Trust me, you've already been given bad advice by the store and the book you are reading... The time it takes you to read this book will pay for itself in gold in the next few years of sucessful aquarium keeping.
don't feel stupid! We all started out as beginners. Just be willing to LEARN. Read, ask questions, read some more... the reward in the end is magnificent.
There isn't a single shark in the world small enough for your tank. Another great book is Michael's "A pocket guide to marine fish". It lists about 500 of the most common fish in the trade and the minimum aquarium sizes the fish need. The smallest shark needs at least a 200 gallon tank (I believe... going off of memory here...)

 

[zman1]

We bought some damsels just becauseif something was going to die I wanted it to be the cheap fish and not one I paid alot of money for.
As soon as I read that, I thought --- OH no, she's going to get flamed so bad.
ALL, be easy on her, this is her first post and a new tank.

 

[susieq]

I am getting ready to take out undergravel filters next week. I'm having problems with sea urchins and water quality. My fish and shrimp are fine but for more sensitive animals, UG is a problem. I'm going to try taking out 1/2 the UG filters at a time using my power head to siphon the water that's trapped. I have a 55 gallon tank. I wouldn't want to have to try this with a 90. I'm also going to sand. Good luck with your tank. That's a nice size.

 

[hot883]

Originally Posted by 1journeyman
Welcome to the hobby!
Having said that, Lol, I'm going to scold you just a tad...
First, go throw the book away that you are reading... undergravel filters for saltwater aquariums are nitrate traps, imho. Especially if you put live rock on top of it preventing you from ever taking it out.
Next, do a search on this forum for "cycling". you'll find great advice on how to poperly cycle a tank without killing anything... the easiest way is to go to your grocery store, buy an uncooked cocktail shrimp and throw it into the tank to decompose.
While your cocktail shrimp is decomposing (having taken the damsels back the the local fish store... damsels get big, aggressive, lose their pretty coloration, and turn into territorial nightmares usually...) go out and by Fenner's "A Conscientious Marine Aquarist". This particular book will open your eyes a great deal to keeping marine fish. Trust me, you've already been given bad advice by the store and the book you are reading... The time it takes you to read this book will pay for itself in gold in the next few years of sucessful aquarium keeping.
don't feel stupid! We all started out as beginners. Just be willing to LEARN. Read, ask questions, read some more... the reward in the end is magnificent.
There isn't a single shark in the world small enough for your tank. Another great book is Michael's "A pocket guide to marine fish". It lists about 500 of the most common fish in the trade and the minimum aquarium sizes the fish need. The smallest shark needs at least a 200 gallon tank (I believe... going off of memory here...)
Welcome first off.

I wouldn't exactly "throw the book away", Fenner's book talks about UG filters too. They are bad to have because they really trap alot of unwanted crud over time. The HOB filter will be fine along with 100+ pounds of live rock(best filter around) and several power heads. Fish are not considered by most as a cycling tool. A raw uncooked shrimp thrown into the tank and left to rot will start the nitrogen cycle. Read up on that by the way. Do a search on here to get specifics as it is a commonly asked question and there is alot of good info. on it.

 

[1journeyman]

True, true.. but Fenner's book clarifies that UGF are for simple FO tanks. Like I said, putting live rock on top of it would be a beast to maintain.

 

[bunnyl99]

I have a 120 gal that has a UG filter w/crushed coral & have had no problems. I've heard alot of people say UG are bad, but that was after I had it installed & established. To date I have had no problems (knock on wood). I have a FO tank.

 

[criketnest]

Now I feel even more confused and overwhelmed. what if I kept the damsels for a little while until I got the tank more stable and started all these cycles? I bought the book that the store recommended. Called the Saltwater Aquarium Handbook by George blasiola published by barron's.
The Damsels are doing fine, eating and running around. the LFS never mentioned anything about nitrites, ammonia, nitrates I read about them in the book. we just got the tank on monday (10-31-05) my BF decided to buy fish on Wednesday (hence the damsels). I always thought that you had to let the tank sit for a little while to get the salt mixture right etc. the only thing for testing that the LFS store told me to get was a Specific Gravity guage for the amount of salt in tank. Specfic gravioty was at 1.024 so BF decided to get fish (I was at work). LFS is about 1 hour away so I really don't want to run there every time I have a little problem or question.
So I think what I am getting from here is that I should get test kits to test the ph, ammonia levels and nitrite and nitrate levels?
I just really don't know what to do about the damsels as I really don't want them to die at all. I will ask the fish store today if I can return them so that they do not die off I am not sure they will let me return them as they were bought on wednesday. Is there a way to cycle with the fish in the tank? Without Killing them off?
Another question I have is how often do I check Specific gravity of the water and the book said to add fresh tap water if the specific gravity goes higher than it should. Of course I bought the stuff to take the cholrine out of the tap water, but is it safe to pour the tap water into the tank like that?
I am so glad I decided to join this forum since I was not told all this by lfs guy. He did mention water changes saying approx 20% every 2 weeks. BF says we just take out 5 gallon bucket full and replace with salt water mixture. Not sure if that is right also.
Thanks so much for everyone's help.
Chris

 

[leftyblite]

Welcome to the forums, this is a great place to get advice and help on your tank. Be careful with your LFS store, some are just in the business to make money and not properly help a beginner. I had one LFS store near me that told me I could keep a shark in a 30G tank. I laughed at him and walked out vowing never to shop there again even though it was around the corner from my house. This forum and the above mentioned books have been VERY helpful to me. A good test kit to test for Amonia, Nitrate, Nitrite, etc is a must in this hobby. Don't hesitate to ask questions. Good luck on the tank!! :joy:

 

[20gallon]

Originally Posted by criketnest
Another question I have is how often do I check Specific gravity of the water and the book said to add fresh tap water if the specific gravity goes higher than it should. Of course I bought the stuff to take the cholrine out of the tap water, but is it safe to pour the tap water into the tank like that?
Chris

I check mine every day, only takes a minute.
A big NO on the freshwater adding, use RO(Reverse Osmosis) or distilled bottle water only.

 

[criketnest]

How Do I do reverse Osmosis? Arggh!!! I told my BF this was going to fast I wanted to finish reading up on tanks before i started one
Chris

 

[criketnest]

"The HOB filter will be fine along with 100+ pounds of live rock(best filter around) and several power heads. "
We bought one power head with the tank. I have that attached to one side and the filter is on the back. Also have a heater in tank with one large live rock (Approx 15 lbs) and maybe 5 lbs live rubble. So I should get more live rock. Is the stuff from this website good? Maybe I should post a picture of the tank as it is now?
Starting to feel really overwhelmed now
Chris

 

[20gallon]

Chris,
They make RO/DI units but they can be pricey, your best bet is to buy some already made RO water from your LFS or 2nd choice is buy bottled distilled water, it should say "produced by Reverse Osmosis" right on the jug.

 

[20gallon]

You'll definitely need more live rock but you can add it gradually(make sure it's cured), another 1-2 strong powerheads would also be recommended.
What's your wattage on the heater btw?

 

[1journeyman]

Originally Posted by criketnest
How Do I do reverse Osmosis? Arggh!!! I told my BF this was going to fast I wanted to finish reading up on tanks before i started one
Chris
No worries. You might have jumped into this too fast but you're on the right track now.
Like I said, by Fenner's book. In addition to the amazing work He and Dr. Calfo have done, the book will explain to you all of your different options.
Are you wanting a Fish Only tank? Do you want corals? What type of substrate do you want on the bottom of your tank? (sand is preferred, but if you use a UGF cc is a must)
If the local fish store didn't mention the Ammonia cycle I'd be very nervous about them... As for "cycles", the one that you are watching right now is Ammonia<Nitrite<Nitrate... (From greatest toxicity to least).
Salinity can be checked every few days... it really shouldn't change. As water evaporates it leaves the salt behind. That's why topping off your tank with clean freshwater is important (to keep salinity from getting too high). You only lose salinity from the "salt creep", splashing, protein skimmer, etc. (and not sure how much you lose in a protein skimmer really...)
Anyway, tell us what kind of aquarium you are wanting long term. We can be more help from there.

 

[zman1]

Originally Posted by 1journeyman
Salinity can be checked every few days... it really shouldn't change. As water evaporates it leaves the salt behind. That's why topping off your tank with clean freshwater is important (to keep salinity from getting too high). You only lose salinity from the "salt creep", splashing, protein skimmer, etc. (and not sure how much you lose in a protein skimmer really...)
A very good comment.. When I first started SWFO. It was dialup BBS (limited at that) and not the internet like we have today. No one told me how to replace evaporated water and I was mixing up salt in a five gallon bucket and then adding it the next day. My SG was rising and rising then it dawned on me to use plain water. Felt like an idiot, but didn't know to even ask the question at the LFS and they didn't volunteer it. Now it's second nature and forget to let the new guy know because they may have not been told by the LFS.
If it's possible for you to use a 5 gallon bucket and air line to siphon/drip the top-off water in your main tank, I would recommend this as opposed to just pouring it in. (I didn't see you talking about having a sump).
Note if you don't have RO water atleast use a conditioner and let it sit with a power head for a day. This will also allow the water to come up to room tempature anyway. Do plan on getting RO down the road. You can go to the big hardware DIY stores or go online and look at the options.
You may want to check this thread out "Beginner Equiptment ":
https://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/show...02#post1366502

 

[littlebuck]

For ro water go to a big chain store like wal-mart or someplace like that you can get it for like 30 cents a gallon. That works out very well getting it there.

 

[zman1]

Originally Posted by Littlebuck
For ro water go to a big chain store like wal-mart or someplace like that you can get it for like 30 cents a gallon. That works out very well getting it there.
Good alternitive for top-off.

 

[littlebuck]

well i have a 29 gallon so when i started i got all my water there and still get top off and water for water changes there. I should just break down and get a ro unit but im still trying to bare the cost of everything that i have now LOL

 

[wax32]

Welcome to your new addiction!!
By the way, your damsels won't die. They are tough buggers. I personally like them and have 2 in my tank.

They do get mean and limit your fish choices down the road though.