New 50 gallon HELP

[onelivewire]

I have a 50 gallon tank, and what I beleive are the correct filters, for a SW aquarium. I've done plenty of freshwater work before, in sizes from a gallon to 100. But, this is my first foray into marine aquariums.

What are some good begginer fish? I do want a very beautiful tank, half the fun is maintaining it, the other watching it. I don't mind maintenence.

What plants should I think about (and/or live rocks and corals)?

How should I go about starting, as well as other general SW info

Thanks

 

[Max]

Well, since you asked I'm a strongly in favor of live rock/live sand as a bio filtration/supplimental food source for all of your live stock. I'd start out with about 1 to 1.5 lbs of live rock per gallon of water in the tank. I'd get about 1/2 dried coral rubble and use it as a base to save some $. Keep your ammonia below 1 ppm you won't have much die off except for sponges and other critters that just don't do well out of water. As a matter of fact I always give my rocks a good sniff and that helps me find any sponges etc. that may have died due to collection.
Please, keep in mind that s.w. tanks need to be pretty lightly stocked in comparisson to f.w. The fish also tend to be quite a bit more territorial than f.w. and all need to have a good place to hide. I'll recomend a few to you but, please get what pleases you and stuff that's compatible with your tank and each other.
Clowns very east but, some of them have bad attitudes.
firefish very easy and peaceful
hawks great hardy but, you can't have any shrimp ,"or not for long ".
If you are wanting a reef I'd avoid damsels. I've seen a couple of posts here where people are keeping them in their community tanks but, I honestly believe that it's the exception vs. the rule. Your best bet would be to find a fish that intrest you and post about it. There are so many variables.
Welcome to s.w.

 

[onelivewire]

I'd get about 1/2 dried coral rubble and use it as a base to save some $. I always give my rocks a good sniff

Thank you for the suggestions! I just have a few question. by 1/2 do you mean a half lb.? and What is it to sniff rocks?

Thanks again!

 

[Max]

No, I mean 50% it will take a little longer but, it'll save you some $. I mean give the rock a smell if any of the inverts on it are dead trust me you won't have any doubts! IMHO there isn't nothing smellier than a dead sponge ,"think 3 day old baby diapers in the trunk of a car with some sulfer thrown in for added bouquett"

 

[onelivewire]

haha, I hope there isn't anything dead

Thanks!