I've crossed the line to saltwater!

[spryandspringy]

Just yesterday, out of the blue (heh), there was a 5"+ Harlequin Tusk at the LFS. She's in quarantine as she just arrived. I completely dismantled the setup I was preparing and re-did it for salt. I'm picking her up this week. :woot:

[Vitaliy]

Congrats! I am thinking of a saltwater setup myself.. :)

[seighten]

good luck with your endeavor! harlequin tusks are cool looking fish...!!!

[spryandspringy]

Thanks! If any of you have any advice, either on this particular species or saltwater in general, please pass it my way. I've been into freshwater since I was seven years-old (and I'm no spring chicken) but this is my first saltwater setup.

My daughter (eight years old) was with me when we spotted the Tusk at the LFS. We both screamed and started jumping up and down without saying another word. I think the other customers there thought we were loco, but the woman working there seemed to understand. ;)

[Fish Finder]

make sure your tank is cycled before you put her in or else you will have dead cool looking fish.

[Fish Finder]

what size tank are you going to use? Is it going to be a FWLR(fish with live rock) or LSWF (live sand with fish) tank???

[spryandspringy]

I set it up with live sand and one chunk of live rock yesterday, and I'm putting a dead shrimp in there tonight (shrimp cocktail for dinner.) :grinyes: I'll be testing every day until I feel confident that everything's settled. The live sand packaging seemed to allude to no cycling, with a statement to the effect of "just add fish". I take it I shouldn't take this statement at face value?

[spryandspringy]

The tank I just set up for her is a 40g breeder (wider and not so tall.) Live sand and one chunk of live rock so far.

[Fish Finder]

put at least 40lbs of LR in there and your tank will be cycled 7-12 day's. Then you will be good to go. I can see that your not to new to it if you know about using the shrimp

[Fish Finder]

BTW how much are they selling it for? Im just wondering

[spryandspringy]

THe chunk of live rock I've got in there is about ten to twelve pounds, so I'm off to a good start. I looked up the shrimp thing online, looking for ideas since I'd heard about the saltwater cycling process. I also didn't want to buy a damsel that would later become food just to get things going.

[spryandspringy]

The price is $57.99, which I understand is a good deal for this beastie. What do you think?

[Fish_are_fishfood]

Thanks! If any of you have any advice, either on this particular species or saltwater in general, please pass it my way. I've been into freshwater since I was seven years-old (and I'm no spring chicken) but this is my first saltwater setup.

My daughter (eight years old) was with me when we spotted the Tusk at the LFS. We both screamed and started jumping up and down without saying another word. I think the other customers there thought we were loco, but the woman working there seemed to understand. ;)

Ha, thats a cool momment to remember.
I don't know why, but it seemed that when I swithced to sw it was easier than the freshwater. I was alway doign ph tests and such with the f/w, but even now with the 55 gal sw, it really maintains itself.
The most important thing that I must say is, if water evaporates from teh tank, don't add more saltwater, add freshwater, because when it evaporates, the salt stays in the tank.

[cabouta1]

Congrats! I am thinking of a saltwater setup myself.. :)
Me three, looking to pick up several components though. Post pics. when you get it running.

[mkpeters6]

what kind of filtration are planning to use on the tank -- protien skimmers is a sw keepers best friend and i would suggest spending the money to get a good one b/c if you dont you will just end up spending more money to buy a new one once you get fustrated with the cheap models (believe me i know from experience)

water evaporation isnt too bad if you dont use a sump - i would consider utilizing a sump especially with the small tank that you have - it makes a big difference when you have twice the water volume

anyways good luck the move to sw is not difficult if your an experienced hobbyist, which it sounds like you are, harl tusks are one of the coolest sw fish around and 60 bucks is a good deal for one so congratulations and enjoy