Next Step....

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BobbyC

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Mar 28, 2004
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Very New to this forum and SW aquaria. Hopefully you guys will be able to provide some direction.

My lfs said I could convert my FW into SW, that I've done, 5 wks ago. I have a 55g w/ a Magnum 250 carbon filter, strip lites and a 200w glass heater. I know...bare bones. Also 50-60lbs of crushed coral and a fine sand. And one unhappy damsel that made it through the cycle, which is nearly over.

After reading on here for a while I'm realizing that my tank is probably not that healthy to begin adding fish.

What I want in the end is mostly fish, maybe an anenome if I can do that.

What do I need to do before stocking? If anything.

Right now my plan is to get a Aqua C Remora skimmer, 20# of live sand and start slowly getting live rock.

How does that sound?

Thanks in Advance

BobbyC
 
Depending on the amount of sand in your tank already you may not need anymore unless you plan to remove the crushed coral. I would reccomend removing the crushed coral but it is not necessary if this is a fish only tank.

Adding the live rock is going to be your best bet. I would keep your filter running until you have atleast 1 lb per gallon of live rock at which time I would remove any media from the filter and allow the rock to provide your filtration.

The Remora skimmer from what I hear is a good skimmer.
 
OK, so it sounds like my direction is now on track.

Two questions:
1) Why remove the crushed coral?

2) Will this set-up (with crushed coral) be suitable for an anenome?

Thanks
 
The reason to remove crushed coral is so that you will have areas of low to no oxygen so anerobic bacteria can complete the final phase of the nitrogen cycle an break down the nitrates.

With frequent water changes nitrates can be kept low.

It really depends on what type of anenome you want to keep some are real sensitve to nitrates and others are not as sensitive. Do you know what you would like to keep?
 
crushed coral doesnt actually "hurt" a tank does it? if you compensate with more sand?
 
That's a tough one to answer. Crushed coral does not help your tank, and it takes up space that could be filled with sand, that can help. CC also traps solid wastes, where it's tough for cleaners to get to them, and this can cause high nitrates. Similar to putting in a chunk of granite--it won't hurt your tank, but it will reduce the amount of beneficial live rock you can add.
 
It really depends on what type of anenome you want to keep some are real sensitve to nitrates and others are not as sensitive. Do you know what you would like to keep?

I guess the one of the best looking anenome I've seen so far would be the purple condylactis.
I definately want something that would be appealing to a couple of clownfish.

And based on your responses I'll likely just go with the live rock as opposed to the living sand, I can only get the sand in larger quantities.
One thing, my lfs has Ponpei rock, apparently its cultured and not natural. I guess this keeps out unwanted bacteria and other critters. Is this stuff OK, its definately expensive at $6 a lb.

Always learning....

BC
 
Cultured rock will work just as well. Florida aquacultured rock is from the ocean, just rock they plant and collect down the line, instead of whacking off a chunk of the reef.

Condy's are not often accepted as a host by clowns. A few species of clowns will, but not all of them.
 
Thanks for the help, I did notice that there was a purple tip in the clown tank at the lfs and the fish really didn't seem to pay much attention to it.

Can you recommend a hardy yet appealing anenome for clowns?

BC
 
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