Ok heres the deal, I got a aga 55 gallon with a built in overflow. I also have a sump with bioballs, filterfloss and a sponge. what else do I need to start a sw set-up. Since I have a daughter and she loves nemo I wanted to get some clowns. How many can live in a 55 comfortably?? Maybe add some anemones and live rock, sand, etc. thanx
55 gallon with built in overflow. What else do I need??
- Thread starter ahfu25
- Start date
Well starting a SW is not the hard part - maintaining one is where it gets tricky. Are you wanting to only get perculas, or perhaps add more livestock later on? Plan it out because they get territorial. Also if you want perc's you need to consider some anemonies too, since they make certain types their homes. Different clowns use different anemonies, but perc's (Nemo's) tend to prefer bubble-tips and a few others.
As far as the FW sump goes, you will need to toss out some of that media, the bio-balls are fine but will need to be rinsed and cleaned, as with the rest of your unit. Algae, bacteria, etc. from a fresh water set up is nothing you want introduced into your SW set up, and even though most would die off, it still will shock your params and make cycling a little more frustrating than it already is sometimes.
If you intend on having live rock, sand, inverts and corals (which you will need some), then you also have to consider a protein skimmer, and the lighting you are going to use in the tank. Also, do you have a picture of your sump? And also of your tank? How big is it - 55gal? If so you can get a small school of clowns if those are the only ones you wish to add. They do much better in schools anyhow as they establish pecking order and pairs.
Think about what you want now, and potentially in the future. What you are working with now, and want to purchase/upgrade too, etc. and then fill us in.
As far as the FW sump goes, you will need to toss out some of that media, the bio-balls are fine but will need to be rinsed and cleaned, as with the rest of your unit. Algae, bacteria, etc. from a fresh water set up is nothing you want introduced into your SW set up, and even though most would die off, it still will shock your params and make cycling a little more frustrating than it already is sometimes.
If you intend on having live rock, sand, inverts and corals (which you will need some), then you also have to consider a protein skimmer, and the lighting you are going to use in the tank. Also, do you have a picture of your sump? And also of your tank? How big is it - 55gal? If so you can get a small school of clowns if those are the only ones you wish to add. They do much better in schools anyhow as they establish pecking order and pairs.
Think about what you want now, and potentially in the future. What you are working with now, and want to purchase/upgrade too, etc. and then fill us in.
So far what you see is what I got. Sump, mag drive 500(gph), 2 eheim power heads(112 gph each),One 200watt stealth heater and I have a single and double bulb strip light. I want maybe just one clown for my daughter and the rest would be random. Ive been doing alot of reading on compatability with certain sw fish but havent really made up my mind yet but I have alot of time before I even think about getting fish. I want to do this right. First thing I want to get is a good RO/DI unit and HOB protein skimmer because I dont think I have space for one in my sump.
Just browsing for some skimmers and saw these..........http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=13910&N=2004+113771.............................
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=4400&N=2004+113771
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=4400&N=2004+113771
Get a Remora. They are better than the Bak Pak. Clownfish ,only 2 perculas. You will need crushed coral or dolomite,or sand as a base.