Saltwater newbie seeking advice

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Cyclop3000

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 22, 2005
448
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Quebec, Canada
I am an experienced freshwater keeper, but never had a saltwater tank. My 55g growout tank will be free in a couple months, and I would like to try saltwater. Now I know a lot from reading and talking with friends that have SW, but as for stock I could need help...

I am planning a skimmer, live rock, crushed coral for substrate, and no amnemones for the time being as i need more experience with saltwater before venturing there.

Here are a few questions I have:
- I love monsters, can I fit one larger fish in that 55g, if so which kind? I like oddities, fish that are ugly, weird and such ;) Predator if possible?
- If I go with small fish, I would like a species-only tank. What are your suggestions (genus and # of fish)... If I choose a species tank with a lot of small fish, I also want invertebrates so preferably a fish that gets along with them.
- What about sumps? What does a sump do in a saltwater setup? I know it seems obvious...is it for filtration? Cause I was told that with live rock filtration is not needed. I have the space and it would be easy to build one, just need to know if it's needed and why...
- Is there a kind of amnemone or such "plant" that is very hardy and would survive a newbie at his first attempt?
- Last question (for now) what kind of lightning will I need for either of those setups?

Thanks for your help, and sorry for a long post :)
 
Cyclop3000 said:
I am an experienced freshwater keeper, but never had a saltwater tank. My 55g growout tank will be free in a couple months, and I would like to try saltwater. Now I know a lot from reading and talking with friends that have SW, but as for stock I could need help...

I am planning a skimmer, live rock, crushed coral for substrate, and no amnemones for the time being as i need more experience with saltwater before venturing there.

Here are a few questions I have:
- I love monsters, can I fit one larger fish in that 55g, if so which kind? I like oddities, fish that are ugly, weird and such ;) Predator if possible?
- If I go with small fish, I would like a species-only tank. What are your suggestions (genus and # of fish)... If I choose a species tank with a lot of small fish, I also want invertebrates so preferably a fish that gets along with them.
- What about sumps? What does a sump do in a saltwater setup? I know it seems obvious...is it for filtration? Cause I was told that with live rock filtration is not needed. I have the space and it would be easy to build one, just need to know if it's needed and why...
- Is there a kind of amnemone or such "plant" that is very hardy and would survive a newbie at his first attempt?
- Last question (for now) what kind of lightning will I need for either of those setups?

Thanks for your help, and sorry for a long post :)
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Rhinopius Scorpion.
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ok fish is up to you pick a few get some books i recomend The New Marine Aquarium by Michael S. paletta you whould have some other kind of filtration besides live rock a good hob or canister would be good sumps are not needed for a 55 they aid in filtration increase water cappacity a good protien skimmer would be a good idea...when you get into inverts and corals you need better lighting atleast 4 watts per gallon of good 50/50 bulbs some higher wattage vhos would be good 10000K a good color temp but all depends on the lighting requirments of the species you have
 
you could get a frogfish! they are very intresting predetors!
 
U like monsters
Go with triggerfish
Some get huge so u should get an orange lined triggerfish
They are very mean but only get about 12 inches
they are fearless after they are familar with the tank
 
Don4921 said:
you could get a frogfish! they are very intresting predetors!
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Thats what
I was gonna say. Or how about an angler. They don't move much though. I just like the fact that they are about 50% mouth.
 
I was thinking in the lines of an angler as well or how about a clown trigger those are wicked mean and beautiful as well.
E
 
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