First Salt Water Tank?

[kdklaff]

I am looking to setup a 55gal salt-water tank; I have never done a SW tank before. How long to get setup and running? When can I put fish in the tank? Are there any good books with maybe some step-by-step instructions? What fish are good to start with? Filtration? Lighting? Special needs I may not be thinking of? Thanks in advance for your time and efforts! -Keith

[OrionGirl]

Hi! :D

Check into http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1740 for some books. The second one listed is awesome, highly recommended for all levels.

For setup and running, the tank will need to cycle, just like a FW system. There are a couple of ways, but either will work and get the tank ready for fish withing 4-6 weeks. One is the shrimp method (you dump in cocktail shrimp, and let the rotting kick start the cycle), and the other is to purchase uncured live rock, and allow the die off of the curing process to start the process. I prefer using the shrimp, since then you don't lose any of the cool stuff on your live rock. Once the ammonia and nitrites hit 0, you do a water change to reduce nitrates, and add fish.

For a 55, in a fish only, with live rock, you wouldn't need to have expensive lighting, just strip lights for your own enjoyment (though you might upgrade later when you get into corals!). The live sand and live rock are the primary filtration, and a protein skimmer is often added to help out.

Fish: there are lots of choices out there. I'd look into the pygmy angels, clowns, gobies, basslets, and some of the hawk fish. You'll want to avoid tangs--they tend to be easily stressed in smaller systems. Triggers and angels (non-pygmy) will get too big, as will volitan lions, and both will really limit your tankmate choices. Next time you're at the LFS, look around at the SW section, and see what catches your eye!

[Bristlenose Chuck]

are you refering to...

Marine Fishes - by Scott W. Michael

[kdklaff]

Thanks a ton Oriongirl, you have really help me to get what a really want this is going to work well, now to find homes for some of the tanks current residents!