I am thinking of making my 55 gal. into a saltwater Aquarium. Ive kept only freshwater and dont know much about saltwater aquariums. What kinda fish could I keep in the 55 gal? What are the absolute 'must have' items needed? Also, the other day at the LFS, I saw a saltwater tank with some kind of current or something. It looked like the wind was blowing hard on all the plants and fish. What is used for that effect? Is it only used on certain kind of fish? Sorry, for all the questions, just trying to gather info.
What does a protein skimmer do?
- Thread starter cb93lx
- Start date
I'll try and go down the line here...
1) A skimmer uses the increased surface tension that you find in SW to skim organic wastes that are at the top of the water. There's always a debate as to whether or not it's needed, but I have one, and I like it. It pulls alot of crap out even though it's an inferior model. As a beginner to a beginner I'd recommend. There's a little cup at the top that collects the waste that needs to be changed every few days or so. It's worth the money. Other than that, I'd look into 2 good heaters, probably 150w each. If one fails, you'll notice a temp. drop enough so that you can replace it, but your livestock shouldn't kick off. Two powerheads (see #3). Enough sand to create a deep sand bed, which will be great for bacteria. You can find it at any hardware store. Just make sure it's really fine, like more so than sugar. Silica or aragonite are fine. On top of that, it's ALOT cheaper than the crushed coral you'll see at your LFS. 100 lbs cost me $4 from Menards. If you're doing fish only, your standard strip light will do. Anything more, like corals and anenomes, you need to drop some serious money. I'll let someone chime in here at that. That should cover the basics. Not too different than your average FW tank. Oh, and I'd get a decent test kit with Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, Hardness, pH, and Calcium couldn't hurt. A copper test is needed if you've ever medicated the tank and you wish to have invertebrates.
2) You could have a variety of fish in a 55. By variety though I mean different types of species, not total amount. There's little surface area in a 55, which is needed for oxygen, something that's lower in a SW system. I'd say 4-5 smaller (x>4") fish. Look around and see what's available. Always feel free to ask here.
3) The blowing you saw I'm sure was a powerhead. They're the main way to circulate the water in your tank, which should be 10X an hour or greater (not to great!). A popular set up seems to be a powerhead at each end and the skimmer in the middle. Otherwise, since you've already dabbled in freshwater, if you have any filters left over you could use those for circulation. Just make sure you check out the flow rates so you don't create any dead spots.
Good luck! It's alot of fun!
1) A skimmer uses the increased surface tension that you find in SW to skim organic wastes that are at the top of the water. There's always a debate as to whether or not it's needed, but I have one, and I like it. It pulls alot of crap out even though it's an inferior model. As a beginner to a beginner I'd recommend. There's a little cup at the top that collects the waste that needs to be changed every few days or so. It's worth the money. Other than that, I'd look into 2 good heaters, probably 150w each. If one fails, you'll notice a temp. drop enough so that you can replace it, but your livestock shouldn't kick off. Two powerheads (see #3). Enough sand to create a deep sand bed, which will be great for bacteria. You can find it at any hardware store. Just make sure it's really fine, like more so than sugar. Silica or aragonite are fine. On top of that, it's ALOT cheaper than the crushed coral you'll see at your LFS. 100 lbs cost me $4 from Menards. If you're doing fish only, your standard strip light will do. Anything more, like corals and anenomes, you need to drop some serious money. I'll let someone chime in here at that. That should cover the basics. Not too different than your average FW tank. Oh, and I'd get a decent test kit with Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, Hardness, pH, and Calcium couldn't hurt. A copper test is needed if you've ever medicated the tank and you wish to have invertebrates.
2) You could have a variety of fish in a 55. By variety though I mean different types of species, not total amount. There's little surface area in a 55, which is needed for oxygen, something that's lower in a SW system. I'd say 4-5 smaller (x>4") fish. Look around and see what's available. Always feel free to ask here.
3) The blowing you saw I'm sure was a powerhead. They're the main way to circulate the water in your tank, which should be 10X an hour or greater (not to great!). A popular set up seems to be a powerhead at each end and the skimmer in the middle. Otherwise, since you've already dabbled in freshwater, if you have any filters left over you could use those for circulation. Just make sure you check out the flow rates so you don't create any dead spots.
Good luck! It's alot of fun!
I knew I was asking alot at once and I appreciate you taking the time to help. So, as far as the basics Ill look into getting a skimmer. I have filters,heaters, and power heads. Are the filters any different or can i just use my 2 AC300s? Ill definatly get sand, but why only really fine sand? Sounds like so far the only thing I dont have is the skimmer and sand and salt mix. Does the skimmer take the place of a filter?
I only planned on keeping fish. Although I like the look of a clown fish on one of then living plants. Not sure if they can be i a 55 gallon though. I also like tangs but have already been told that the tank would be way too small.
I have a few power heads but man, mine dont push water like that. The plant look like they were in a hurricane but the top of the water looked almost calm.
I only planned on keeping fish. Although I like the look of a clown fish on one of then living plants. Not sure if they can be i a 55 gallon though. I also like tangs but have already been told that the tank would be way too small.
I have a few power heads but man, mine dont push water like that. The plant look like they were in a hurricane but the top of the water looked almost calm.
You can use the AC's, but you won't want to have any media in there, just have them pushing water. The primary biological filtration is live rock (you'll want about 70-80 pounds) and live sand. The bacteria colonize the rock and sand, and the depths of the sand provide an area with low oxygen levels for the nitrate processing bacteria to thrive. This is also why you want the fine grained sand--a pound of small grain sand has way more surface area than a pound of river rocks. The more surface area, the greater the potential colonies. In conjunction with this system you must have some critters to maintain the sand bed and clean up solid waste--hermit crabs, serpent stars, snails, ect.
I never recommend anemones (the 'living plants') for a beginner. They're needs are not completely understood, and most live less than 2 years in the aquarium--heck, most don't make it to 6 months. For something that can live for hundreds of years in the ocean, it makes no sense to kill it off in an aquarium. But, clowns are perfectly happy without them, and the captive bred fish might not take to an anemone anyway. Clown breeders don't keep anemones in their tank, which should prove that the anemone isn't needed. If you later choose to purchase one, I recommend you have your tank firmly matured--6-12 months down the line, and research carefully to make sure you are meeting it's light requirements and can feed it enough. Keep in mind that not all anemones are acceptable hosts for all clowns.
A clown will be fine in a 55. There are many fish that you can have, but you'll need to look around and see what interests you. Tangs aren't a good choice--they tend to be very stressed and prone to ailments in smaller tanks. However, there are lots of gobies, basslets, wrasses, pygmy angels and cardinals that would work great.
There are many different powers of powerheads. Ones used in FW tend to be on the smaller side, so don't create the same amount of flow. However, it sounds like you might have seen a truly specialized setup, designed to mimic the water currents. The powerheads for these are very large, and are controlled by a panel that turns different ones on and off to create a wave like motion within the tank. They can be costly, and while cool, I haven't seen any proof that they benefit the tank enough to justify the expense. Strategically placed powerheads will work fine.
I never recommend anemones (the 'living plants') for a beginner. They're needs are not completely understood, and most live less than 2 years in the aquarium--heck, most don't make it to 6 months. For something that can live for hundreds of years in the ocean, it makes no sense to kill it off in an aquarium. But, clowns are perfectly happy without them, and the captive bred fish might not take to an anemone anyway. Clown breeders don't keep anemones in their tank, which should prove that the anemone isn't needed. If you later choose to purchase one, I recommend you have your tank firmly matured--6-12 months down the line, and research carefully to make sure you are meeting it's light requirements and can feed it enough. Keep in mind that not all anemones are acceptable hosts for all clowns.
A clown will be fine in a 55. There are many fish that you can have, but you'll need to look around and see what interests you. Tangs aren't a good choice--they tend to be very stressed and prone to ailments in smaller tanks. However, there are lots of gobies, basslets, wrasses, pygmy angels and cardinals that would work great.
There are many different powers of powerheads. Ones used in FW tend to be on the smaller side, so don't create the same amount of flow. However, it sounds like you might have seen a truly specialized setup, designed to mimic the water currents. The powerheads for these are very large, and are controlled by a panel that turns different ones on and off to create a wave like motion within the tank. They can be costly, and while cool, I haven't seen any proof that they benefit the tank enough to justify the expense. Strategically placed powerheads will work fine.
Heres a list of stuff you'll proble need:
Protein Skimmer (Optional)
Sea salt mix
Hydrometer
"Live" substrate (live sand or crushed coral)
live rock
Test kit to test ammonia nitrie nirate and pH .
and if you dont have it a wet dry filter system.(Optional,but strongle reqemended
)
and invest in some good books too. For a quick refence book get the, A PocketExpert Guide, Marfine fishes, 500+ essentail-to-know Aquarium Species by "Scott W. Michael. As a set up guide i like the simple guide to Marine Aquariums by "Jeffrey Kurtz".
If i was going to set up a 55 gl tank i'd make it a spesimen tank. Like an all anthias(i gess there a hard fish too keep so be out) or damsel tank(good starting fish too, cheep and hardy).
aLL i GOt To OffER yA. fOR NoW, aNd WeLCOme tO sw.
Protein Skimmer (Optional)
Sea salt mix
Hydrometer
"Live" substrate (live sand or crushed coral)
live rock
Test kit to test ammonia nitrie nirate and pH .
and if you dont have it a wet dry filter system.(Optional,but strongle reqemended
)and invest in some good books too. For a quick refence book get the, A PocketExpert Guide, Marfine fishes, 500+ essentail-to-know Aquarium Species by "Scott W. Michael. As a set up guide i like the simple guide to Marine Aquariums by "Jeffrey Kurtz".
If i was going to set up a 55 gl tank i'd make it a spesimen tank. Like an all anthias(i gess there a hard fish too keep so be out) or damsel tank(good starting fish too, cheep and hardy).
aLL i GOt To OffER yA. fOR NoW, aNd WeLCOme tO sw.
Thanks for all the help from everone. Thanks for the welcome also. Im not going to rush right in, Ill be doing some research through books and stuff. Just trying to get the real world opinions from those who have been there and done that. I appeciate all the help and feel free to let me know any more suggestions on fish and acc. so I will have a successful tank and healthy fish.
Another good resource is www.Reefcentral.com/ The place is probably the best SW site out there and is just bustling with activity. I could almost guarantee you you could find a thread related to anything you were wondering if we don't give you a response.
I have to disagree with oriongirl with regards to clowns (anemone fish) being fine without anemones. Sure they may live healthy, but it is regarded by many aquarists as cruel to deprive them of their natural behaviour. They are biologically immune to the stings of anemone for the specific reason that they are meant to live in a relationship with anemones.
I see this similar to keeping african shell dwelling cichlids without suitable snail shells. It is cruel and deprives them of their natural behaviour.
I see this similar to keeping african shell dwelling cichlids without suitable snail shells. It is cruel and deprives them of their natural behaviour.
I have to disagree with Kit's statement. Clowns will adopt another object in the tank as a "host" and 18 species of Amphiprion and 1 species of Premnas have been successfully bred in captivity, which is often used as a measure of captive care. And there's the other issue of anenomes in tanks. Not enough people out there that own anenomes know their needs. Most have never been to this forum or another forum and just have the tanks as decorative house pieces. I once read a thing on the PETA website (I was there just out of curiousity) that said that fish are happier with live plants in the tank. That made me wonder how many people put live plants in their tank with poor lighting and a poor nutrient base, just causing the plants to suffer. Even more so with anenomes, since they're animalia, and can physically move and suffer even easier.
I have to disagree with all 3 of ya... tank raised clown fish typicly to all ways (from my i heard and seen from other tanks and read in books) never swim with or in anemones, But sea cought clowns look lost and confused with out an anemones to swim in.
With what OrionGirl wrote keeping in mind anemones are harder to keep then snail shells i too would not recomend anemones for a beginer in coral, and with regardes to what Kit Walker put i would not get a sea bread clow fish (cinda what OrionGirl was getting at i think) get a tank breed clown fish.
hAvE FUN wiTH YoUR TaNK
With what OrionGirl wrote keeping in mind anemones are harder to keep then snail shells i too would not recomend anemones for a beginer in coral, and with regardes to what Kit Walker put i would not get a sea bread clow fish (cinda what OrionGirl was getting at i think) get a tank breed clown fish.
hAvE FUN wiTH YoUR TaNK