new to swa

[grey_ghost]

hello, i just bought a 20 gallon tank and am trying to set up a swa. a friend of mine has had one for about 5 years now and i would like my own. I have a 55 gallon fw that i have had for about 3 years but sw has always had my eye. I was told that i could use sand from the beach behind my house and saltwater also to jumpstart my tank. I hope this is true for that is what i have done. I was also told that I could pick up beach rock to use for live rock. is any of this trued or am i wasting time here ??? Anyways this is what i have done so far. My setup is pretty basic so far as i am just starting but have been up and running for 3 weeks now with just water sand and beach rock. this weekend i bought 1 blue damsel, 1 yellow tail damsel 1 peppermint shrimp and 5 hermit crabs. 3 blue leg and 2 red. today is the 2nd day with livestock and everyone looks happy. any advise I would be much thankful for.

 

[woodymdt]

Yeah, everyone looks happy because the cycle hasn't kicked off yet. Once that starts your fish are more then likely going to suffer...
Here's a thought...If you have the SWA bug, why not break down your 55 gallon FW, keep what fish you can in the 20 gallon, and convert your 55 gallon to the SWA? That way you can add more LR, more livestock, and have a better chance at not frying your tank.
I've heard good things and bad things about using beach sand and ocean water...so I'll leave that part up to the veterans on here.
You're going to hear a lot of suggestions, some you don't like, but most people on here I've noticed know what they're talking about.

 

[grey_ghost]

my plans are to change out my 55 to sw, but i thought i would set up a small one to get the hang of things first. thanks for the help.:thinking:

 

[woodymdt]

Originally posted by grey_ghost
my plans are to change out my 55 to sw, but i thought i would set up a small one to get the hang of things first. thanks for the help.:thinking:
No problem. I still consider myself new but I've read through quite a few threads and articles...
Starting with a smaller tank will mean having more maintenance to the tank, more checking, more problem solving, than with say your 55 gallon tank.
From what I've learned, smaller environments can crash quicker than the larger setups.
I'm like you, wanted to start small, but went with the 40gal instead of the 29 gal, because of caution I read from other veterans about trying to start a smaller tank.

 

[grey_ghost]

i've spent the last 3 weeks reading as much as i could on set up and maintance of small tanks, and it all comes down to about 60/40 opinion on small tanks vs big tanks. I'm a guy and as guys go bigger iS BETTER. So yeah I really want to jump right in and swith out my 55. But also my girl want's her tank also so i picked up a 20 gallon tank at a yard sale for 20 bucks and set her up one ya know. just to get us started. so thus my reason for setting up the 20.

 

[woodymdt]

Originally posted by grey_ghost
i've spent the last 3 weeks reading as much as i could on set up and maintance of small tanks, and it all comes down to about 60/40 opinion on small tanks vs big tanks. I'm a guy and as guys go bigger iS BETTER. So yeah I really want to jump right in and swith out my 55. But also my girl want's her tank also so i picked up a 20 gallon tank at a yard sale for 20 bucks and set her up one ya know. just to get us started. so thus my reason for setting up the 20.
I see. Well whatever you have to do my friend. Just make sure you prepare for all the maintenance you might or might not incur.
In other words, knock yourself out and enjoy it.

 

[grey_ghost]

thank you...:happyfish

 

[grey_ghost]

i'm still wondering if the ocean water and sand will work and the beach rock. I have seen thousands of little white worms floating around is this good or bad??? and would you call the beach rock live rock or no ?

 

[billr70]

From what ive read, its better to get the water farther from the shoreline because the shorline kinda acts as a filter/skimmer. But i think it would work fine. The rock will be live rock, especially if it has lots of holes and groves in it. As far as the worms go, lol, i dont know about that. (Hopefully your shrimp will get fat on them). Post some pics and keep us updated. I would be curious to know how it works out.
PS. It will still cycle some, so keep an eye on all your levels.
Good luck, sounds cool.
Billy

 

[grey_ghost]

thank you. the shrimp seems to like them but the fish love them. they chase them around and eat like they are starving.

 

[billr70]

LOL, thats awsome. Have you tested your water yet, if so how was it? Does your live rock have anything on it? Is the water clear or cloudy?
Billy

 

[grey_ghost]

the water seems to be getting close to normal now and is really clear except for the worms...lol....nothing on the live rocks yet but looking for something to happen. there is a kind of film on the glass now. waiting to change out the lights before buying any coral so hopefully soon.

 

[billr70]

SWEET. Get good light, dont buy twice. Sounds like you gonna have a great tank. When you test the water let me know. Liveing in Florida is awsome. (You shouldnt have to buy much. lol)
Billy