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budbrs

budbrs

Member
This Just In,
4 days ago I set up my very first marine aquarium. 55 gal, penguin 350 biowheel, sea clone 100 hang on skimmer . 40 lbs. sand, "not live" several fake corals ; sponges ; and rock, 6 pieces in all.
Water temp: 78
Nitrate: 20 ppm
Nitrite: 0
Alkalinity: little over 300 ppm
ph: btween 7.8 & 8.4
SpGr: btween 1.025 & 1.026
The first two on my Fish Wish List are:
1) Panther Grouper
2) V. Lionfish
Someone give me some advice, never done this before and do not want to blow it "cost to much". And whats this raw shrimp deal about, guy at pet store said put 4 cheap fish in and take em out after a month. Sounds kinda silly to me and a waste of fish. Any input would be greatley app.
 
lion_crazz

lion_crazz

Active Member
Throw some fish food or cocktail shrimp in there and let them decay. This will begin your cycle period and will begin the cultivation of good bacteria.
I am sorry to disappoint you, but you will not be able to keep the grouper or lion in a 55. Both will outgrow the tank within 8 months.
I would also highly recommend adding live rock to the aquarium, as this will serve as a natural filter and will also provide natural hiding places for your fish.
Do you have powerheads in the aquarium?
 
budbrs

budbrs

Member
Originally Posted by lion_crazz
Do you have powerheads in the aquarium?
just the skimmer and penguin filter
 
budbrs

budbrs

Member
Originally Posted by lion_crazz
I am sorry to disappoint you, but you will not be able to keep the grouper or lion in a 55. Both will outgrow the tank within 8 months. ?

how large a tank would i need and how bid do they get? i thought the panther was small
 
ice4ice

ice4ice

Active Member
Panther grouper & Lionfish are aggressive fish. Both WILL eat the clownfish.
You need to read up more on Salt water set-up before going further. Read The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Bob Fenner.
Ditch the bio-wheel upgrade to the Coralife skimmer - Seaclone skimmers are junk. Invest in a couple of powerheads for water flow.
What kind of rock do you have ? Are they live rock ?
 
budbrs

budbrs

Member
fake rock ,to be honest i only put the fake rock and coral in so it would not look so baren untill i can get som real live rock. not planning on putting fish in for a while. just wanted to get the water in and go from there. like i said all new me. will skimmer and filter i have do for a while?
 
memphis

memphis

Member
I would recommend upgrading the skimmer after you get some livestock in the tank. Since you have some time before it gets up and going, you might want to look at a sump set up and kill several birds with one stone. Simple overflow box, in sump skimmer, little chaeto and you will be MUCH happier with it. Also won't have all the crap hanging in the tank.
 
lion_crazz

lion_crazz

Active Member
Both the skimmer and filter you have will do for a while. You absolutely need a few powerheads though.
Your next purchases, before anything else, shoud be powerheads and live rock.
 
sepulatian

sepulatian

Moderator
Originally Posted by Budbrs
o.k. i get it, can the lion and grouper
Panther Groupers grow to 27+ inches. As far as the rest, you have to cycle as everyone said. Get some rock and cycle your tank with it. I commend you for asking before buying!!!! Any and all questions you may have, please ask!
 
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