Newbie w/75 gal established tank....

[luca_brasi]

We're new here.. :cheer: .and new to the whole SW thing. Have had many FW ...but this is a horse of a different color for sure!! Our 75g tank, newly aquired, has been established for 17 years, with a large lionfish, blue tang and brown tang (looks yellow to me, but whatever @40lbs of live rock, and cc bed. We don't know much, but we DO know that the lionfish will eat anything smaller than himself. He doesn't bother the tangs. We also know our nitrates are high from moving the tank last night and we should wait @ 2weeks before adding anything. We have MANY questions for all of you.....but will start with the basics. 1) are we about maxxed out as far as fish for this setup? 2) can we add tubeworms, stars, anemones, corals, shrimp, crabs, clams etc to the tank? 3) what are the benefits of ls over cc as a bed? I've seen many arguments here for LS over CC.
That should do for now. Thanks in advance for all the knowledge you're going to share!!! And YAY, US!! We have a SALTWATER AQUARIUM

 

[sly]

First, you should lower your nitrates. You didn't say what they were but they should be no higher than 25ppm for fish. If you plan on keeping anything like corals or anemones, then your nitrates should be at 0ppm. As for being maxed out... it all depends on your filtration system and your dedication to the hobby. Nitrate levels are a good indication of water quality but are not the only factor. Phosphates, Nitrites and especially metals like copper are very bad in a saltwater tank. If these levels start to rise above 0ppm, then you either have to improve your maintainance habbits or reduce your livestock. The more attention you pay to waterchanges, filter pad cleaning and water monitoring, the more fish you are going to be able to keep.
GENERALLY, you can expect to keep somewhere around 1 inch of fish per every 5 gallons of water. So a 55 gallon tank can hold somewhere around 11 inches total of fish. This is less than what you have had in freshwater. Don't expect to keep as many fish as you may have in the past. Saltwater is more delicate.
One of the keys I've learned is to do everything slowly. Think of your tank as a garden. I will not grow overnight. Add fish SLOWLY; usually one or two at a time. Wait a month or more for the tank biosystem to stabilize and then add some more if your nitrate levels don't rise. Once your nitrate levels creep up, you have too much fish or not enough filter...
You need a clean up crew like crabs and snails but you can not get them until you get your nitrates down. Invertebrates are very succeptable to nitrates. It may take a month or more for your tank to stabilize. Then do a water change to reduce your nitrates and then see if they stay at 0ppm.
There is no problem keeping CC. The only trick to it is to have a very shallow substrate depth. Keep it no deeper than 1 inch and you will be fine. You will not see any of the dirt build up or nitrate problems that others have claimed. I have had CC for 4 years. Let me know if you have any questions about maintainence or anything else for it...
Congrats on your saltwater aquarium. THE key to this hobby is patience (and a deep wallet). If you will take things slowly and not try to do everything at once, you will avoid the majority of the problems that arise in this hobby.

 

[fer6thbday]

Originally Posted by Sly
Congrats on your saltwater aquarium. THE key to this hobby is patience (and a deep wallet). If you will take things slowly and not try to do everything at once, you will avoid the majority of the problems that arise in this hobby.
:notsure: Deep wallet? I was told at pet land (NYC) that to start a 75g it will cost me about $500 without any fish. After gradually buying the fish are there any more significant expenses? My son Fernando turns 6 September 30th, for his bday he picked a saltwater aquarium over a party (which usually costs about the same). I have no problem with the initial amount of money I have to spend, but from your quote it seems like it is an ongoing expense.

:notsure:

 

[fer6thbday]

Originally Posted by Luca_Brasi
We're new here.. :cheer: .and new to the whole SW thing. Have had many FW ...but this is a horse of a different color for sure!! Our 75g tank, newly aquired, has been established for 17 years, with a large lionfish, blue tang and brown tang (looks yellow to me, but whatever @40lbs of live rock, and cc bed. We don't know much, but we DO know that the lionfish will eat anything smaller than himself. He doesn't bother the tangs. We also know our nitrates are high from moving the tank last night and we should wait @ 2weeks before adding anything. We have MANY questions for all of you.....but will start with the basics. 1) are we about maxxed out as far as fish for this setup? 2) can we add tubeworms, stars, anemones, corals, shrimp, crabs, clams etc to the tank? 3) what are the benefits of ls over cc as a bed? I've seen many arguments here for LS over CC.
That should do for now. Thanks in advance for all the knowledge you're going to share!!! And YAY, US!! We have a SALTWATER AQUARIUM
Join the club I am also a rookie to SWF

. Looks like we are going to be in for a great ride

 

[fer6thbday]

By the way Luca Brasi is a very clever name for this community

sleeps with the fishes ....too funny :hilarious

 

[n_sarno]

I dont agree w/ sly as far as 0 nitrates.. I have nitrates of about 30 ppm w/ fish and corals and they're fine.. I dont think I've ever seen a tank w/ 0 nitrates..

 

[surfinusa]

Originally Posted by Fer6thBday
:notsure: Deep wallet? I was told at pet land (NYC) that to start a 75g it will cost me about $500 without any fish. After gradually buying the fish are there any more significant expenses? My son Fernando turns 6 September 30th, for his bday he picked a saltwater aquarium over a party (which usually costs about the same). I have no problem with the initial amount of money I have to spend, but from your quote it seems like it is an ongoing expense.

:notsure:
it will cost a lot MORE than $500 more like $2,000 not includind fish

and if you are having corals it will cost more

 

[luca_brasi]

My husband came up with it:O) Glad someone finally got it!! LOL

 

[lilchris]

I think your live stock is to much for the 75 gallon. I would say its(75 gall. tank) big enough for the lionfish but the tangs, its to small. They like to swim. I have a 75 gallon and I have a powder blue tang and it is to big for my tank IMO. If you are very dedicated to the water changes, right now I would recommend two a week to get those nirates down. Adding star fish to your tank w/ crushed coral will not work. I read in another forum, where a lady had CC and a britle star and the star fish just desinigrated. The CC was the cause of it. Starfish like to sift the sand and the are scavengers. They cannot sift through the CC for food and they will starve to death. Also the desinigrating thing is what happens to them will they die. They fall apart, literally. Coral and anemones will survive w/ some traces of nitrates. I have both and I also have 20 ppms of nitrates. Some days they look a little stressed but in the most part they are doing good. I will not add anymore corals to my tank though until my nitrates are at 0. I think its going to be a long time from now. I hope I have answered your questions. If I have confused you please tell me to shut the H#

up next time.

 

[luca_brasi]

The fish have been in there for somewhere around 15 years....do you mean we have too many inverts? I know we'll have to be very conscious of water quality and maybe do partial changes more often...and at some point look in to more filtration....but everything seems to be going ok for now. I am worried about the star right now, b/c sometimes its on the lr and other times it seems to be just laying on the cc in a ball. Just when I get worried enough to freak out, it perks back up. But I've never had anything like this before, so I don't know what's normal/abnormal The anemone seems peachy....so far!!
Thanks for all your advice

 

[lilchris]

If they have been in there for 15 years then they are really to big for your tank. Especially the blue tang. But if they are doing good then don't fix it if its not broke. Does he look dtressed out? Are they bumping into each other? IMO I would consider getting a bigger tank for them especially the tangs. They LOVE TO SWIM. The lion fish wis Okay because he kinda just huver (sp) in one spot. The inverts such as snails, shrimps and lobster is a no good w/ the lionfish. How long has the starfish been in your tank? He may mot make it due to the crushed coral. They need a sand bed, Thats why he stays on the rocks. Ny star is never on the rocks. He is always tuck away in a dark hole until its feeding time. The corals and anemones you can add, but I would wait until you get your tank parameters to setting down a bit. Give it about 2 weeks to a month especially w/ the anemone. I have learned that the corals and anemone are harder to take care of then the fish. So really have patience w/ them. Good Luck and I hope I have gave you some useful advice.

 

[luca_brasi]

the fish are really happy, they dont express any behavior that ive never seen. so far they dont bump into each other, they swim in and out of crevices in the lr. the starfish croaked today, what a waste of fifteen bucks. thanks everyone for all your help

 

[bigarn]

I'm going to make you an offer you can't refuse .... :scared:

 

[luca_brasi]

Our lfs never asked us what our bed was Live and learn, eh? Also, our nitrates were down, but now they're back up. So I think I'll have to try and convince my son (who posted above) that we should do a partial change and wait a month before adding anything else. Ever tried to convince a 15 year old to be patient? LOL

 

[lilchris]

Do you feed your fish flake food? The reason for that question is because I was told that flake food add nitrates. The source of that advice is very creditable. So, I would cut back on the flake food. Try using pellets( if you use flake food) just a little more advice.
Sorry for the loss.

 

[mandarin w]

I have several concerns. I realize you didn't set it up this way, but please don't keep it this
way.
One being you have two tangs in a 75 gal. I would be hard pressed to keep one tang in a 75gal much less two. Tangs grow fairly large and need lots of room to swim. Just a couple of thoughts to put my point across. Would you put two german shepards in a doggie carrier and keep them there for months at a time. You could squeeze them in there. But it is not healthy nor would they be happy. Would you put the end of a shot gun in your month, it fits in there, But as you know it is not a good idea. The inch per gal has long been done away with. You need to look at how the fish lives. type of fish. Anyway you get the point. Sorry, I realize you didn't originally put the two tangs in there together.
As far as inverts go. The loin will think you are feeding him special treats and just eat them up.
And as far a anemones go. The originall owner set up the system as a fish only system. Fish only and Reef systems need different lighting. They may not have the lighting required for anemones. Check to see what type of lighting is on the tank. You may have to upgrade if you want to keep corals.
Lastly, It is a 75gal tank with only 40lbs of live rock. The rock and CC are part of the bio filtration system. I would suggest at least another 40lbs of rock in there.
By the way where in IL are you located. I am down by St.Louis.