Is this safe or a risky move?

[ctdr646]

Hi all, Im new to the forum, just been leaching the great information for some time. I'm in the process of setting up a 30 gal saltwater tank with some basic starter fish like clowns and whatnot. I've been running back and forth to my lfs that specializes in saltwater asking any questions I can come up with or cannot find answers to. I couldn't make it there today and am wondering if it would be safe to start the tank cycling with base rock only, and possibly run it with only the base rock with a small amount of live rock to seed them over time if it wasn't too risky. Btw, it is going to be a FO tank.
I'm trying to get all the information I need before I purchase anything.

thanks all.

 

[serafino]

I would go to a bigger tank size, Bigger is better when it comes to a first time saltwater tank. Also clowns are quite finicky and are not the best starting fish either. The yellowtail blue damsel fish are cheap and extremely hardy which make them excellent fish to start with. I would just start with a few fish and then once you get the hang of sw start adding more and more. Hope this helps

 

[agreeive?fish]

Ok to answer your question about cycling your tank.

Yes you can run your tank with mostly base rock with a small amount of live rock to seed the tank/base rock infact that is the way many many many people do it and it will cut your initial setup cost down 25%..

now cycling with base rock only.. you are not going to get a cycle with just base rock..but if you throw in a piece of raw table shrimp and leave it in the tank you have all you need to cycle your tank...ENJOY your new tank and take your time nothing good happens fast in this wonderful hobbie..only bad things happen fast in saltwater tanks

 

[ctdr646]

Thanks for the info guys that's exactly the information I was looking for. I am going to give it 3 weeks to cycle through and establish itself a bit with some live rock.

Are the clowns really a bad starter fish? My lfs owner didn't see any problem in me starting with them, and all the sites I've been researching on have described them as good starters as they are peaceful fish.

-plus i really want some nemo's

 

[agreeive?fish]

TANK BREED/RAISED clowns would be ok for a 1st fish.. but be aware some species of clowns can be down right mean towards newcomers especialy after they reach sexual maturity

 

[r3d]

Are the clowns really a bad starter fish?

Clowns are great starter fish as long as you dont get a tomato clown
they are the spawn of the devil and just get to big

what kind are you getting?

 

[ctdr646]

Clowns are great starter fish as long as you dont get a tomato clown
they are the spawn of the devil and just get to big

what kind are you getting?

hahaha ill be sure to stray from the tomato clowns.
im really interested in a couple occelaris clowns.

 

[BIGgourami]

they should be fine, unless those particular fish are real A-holes

they are pomacentrids, and like any damsel can be feisty

i prefer cardinalfish or gobies as "starter fish"

 

[captiago]

Thanks for the info guys that's exactly the information I was looking for. I am going to give it 3 weeks to cycle through and establish itself a bit with some live rock.

Are the clowns really a bad starter fish? My lfs owner didn't see any problem in me starting with them, and all the sites I've been researching on have described them as good starters as they are peaceful fish.

-plus i really want some nemo's

Seeding your base rock with live rock is totally the way to go. You can also add Stress Zyme or Cycle to help move your cycle along as well. As long as you test or bring a h2o sample to your lfs to test to make sure it's safe to begin adding fish, go for it!

 

[ctdr646]

Sweet deal- two last questions though.
Currently in the 30gal is "Tidal" aragonite sand, its white with crushed coral, would i be able to rinse that and use it with some more of a fine aragonite sand?

As far as powerheads, Im only interested in buying the hydor koralias and want to know if i should run two of them, ive heard 300gph is enough but ive seen tanks of similar size with about 600gph. (this will be a Fish Only tank)

thanks for the help all.