Need help on how to start

S

suprachick

Registered Member
Jun 28, 2008
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Hi all, I have had experience with FW tanks but always wanted to dip into SW. I have been doing some reading for a bit now so far. Recently, I got a new Eclipse 5g Hexgon tank as a gift.
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752369

The stock lighting is a 10w compact flourescent.
My goal at this moment is to not have any corals and probably just a fish for my desk which I always wanted a clown fish. If I get a clown, I know I will eventually transfer it to a bigger tank in time.
Right now I just bought some dry sand from my local Pet Club and a piece of dry rock from Petco. I also bought a visitherm heater. Also, I will be getting pre-mix salt water for now from my local LFS. I would like to keep it stock (no mods to the hood) if possible due to budget.

Since it is just fish and not corals or plants do I still need to upgrade lighting and do i need to add a power head?
If I need to upgrade the lighting, the only lighting that I know would fit without modification is
http://www.petco.com/product/11440/Coralife-Mini-Compact-Fluorescent-50-or-50-Bulb.aspx

Also, how do I get started and cycling since my rock and sand is dry?
I am probably going to need a bacteria source, right?

Can I use:
Cycle
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3974+3983&pcatid=3983

Stability
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3974+12021&pcatid=12021

or something else that works better?
If so, what are the appropriate steps of using them?

Also, what is a good mixture of CUC?

Thanks

-laura
 
Personally I wouldn't put a clown in a 5 gal tank. Have you considered some inverts, such as sexy shrimp or other ornamental shrimp, they can be just as enertaining.

There is a very good sticky on cycling a tank which you can find here.

If your're not doing corals then no, you don't need to upgrade your lighting.
 
:iagree: Even the smaller gobies and such need 10g.
 
You may want to consider some soft corals ...
like Zoa's, Zenia, Mushrooms, carpet coral like star polyp's, and if you position it carefully so it doesn't sting the other corals something like a tiny frag of Galaxia would really look great!

I got a friend (she works for my other friend who owns a reef store) who has a tiny nano tank (I think it's 2.5 gallon) and some really neat corals in there!
 
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