new user/new tank w/questions

[fishforce5]

hello, ive kept fancy goldfish for many years but have been enchanted with some of the tanks ive seen on these boards so i decided i wanted to try saltwater ..... been reading up on it for a few weeks trying to get my feet wet before i jump in, but i'd like a few suggestions ......... what im thanking of is either a 55 or 75 gallon reef tank . i really wanted a pair of marron clowns, some type of blenny, some type of hawkfish, a royal gramma, a flame angel and maybe at somepoint a mandarin(after the tank is settled and ready)..... i definately wanted some zoos, polyps, mushrooms and anemones ......although i could really use some advice as to what types of zoos and polyps i can put in that wont be eaten by the angel( i heard they can eat some of those) ....... nothing is set in stone and im open for any advice... i will be using alot of live rock so i dont need to worry about tank filtration as much ....... to save money i wanted to get some dead figi rock(60 lbs) and some live(20lbs) so hopeyfully after time the 60 will become live rock again. how long does that normally take btw ? thanks in advance

 

[cprdnick]

First of all, since you've been keeping goldfish you need to research as much as you can. Goldfish are some of the nastiest fish and don't require a whole lot to keep them thriving. Saltwater aquariums are delicate and require knowledge, time and extreme patience.
I would suggest the 75 gallon over the 55, for this reason, the larger the tank the more room for error. If you can go bigger you'll be happier in the long run.
Mandarins require 100lbs of LR or more to live life to the fullest, they need this much due to dietary needs, and for the hiding space.
Angels are not all coral nippers. Some are bad about it and some are good about not touching them, depending on the fishes breeding and temperment.
As for the anemone, I wouldn't even think about buying one within the first year or way more of your introduction to this hobby. These creatures are high maintenance, so they need an experienced hobbiest. However, the more experience you become, the less you will think about getting one. I'll admit, I still want one, but am not willing to run through all of the risks these organisms and I pose.
Coral selection should have nothing to do with the types of fish, rather it should be the other way around. If you want corals, and are worried about a type of fish bothering them, don't bother buying the fish. Research what types of lighting you need for the types of corals you are wanting to look into.
With a tank that big, a protien skimmer comes highly recommended. I wouldn't skimp on this one if I was you. Other than that, you only need something for water flow (powerheads, return pump, closed loop) as this will allow your LR and LS to operate to its fullest range.
Seeding of dead rock, though simple, can vary in time length. This depends on your water parameters, and how healthy the colonized LR is.
WELCOME TO THE BOARD
In this hobby only bad things happen quickly
Research as much as you can about anything you are wanting to purchase.
Good Luck

 

[clint_reno]

And I add these humble, yet repeated newbie lessons:
1. You need two tanks. One will be your main display. The other will be your QT. (quarrantine tank)
2. Avoid using tap water. A couple posters say it is okay. Most here will agree with me. Give yourself every advantage you can get in this hobby! Use distilled or R/O water!
3. Introduce one fish at a time! (From your QT)
4. Take your time. Whenever you get the idea to cut corners, take out a twenty-dollar bill and burn it instead. You just saved $100!
But most important, welcome to a great hobby!
:yes:

 

[jnc]

First off... Welcome!
Don't let this scare you off, but... This stuff is worse than Crack...
Read, read, read... (I'm still reading and reading and reading)
For the mandarin, I'd recommend a gravity fed Refugium... Do a search on Refugium here and you will learn about what they can do for you in the long run as a food supply among other things...
Know this... You're getting into some MAJOR $$$ to do this right. Even MORE $$$ if you do it wrong. I expected $1,000 but that was gone on a 46 gal within the first day.
Now we've added a 175 and added another $6,000 for just the tank, equipment, rock and substrate. No REAL fish... But they're coming!

It's CRACK I tell you!

 

[jnc]

Oh... And one more thing... No matter what anyone tells you, hear what everyone else has to say, and THEN make your OWN decisions.
Opinions are like ... well, you know the phrase... Either way, everybody has one and they all stink.
Go with your gut and be patient!