Starting a Salt Aquarium!

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xRage10

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 29, 2010
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Lake Mary, Florida
Ok, been in to freshwater for a while now. I finally figured it's time to venture into the saltwater scene. I will be using this 54 gallon aquarium with corner overflow that drains into a wet/dry along with a protein skimmer:

aquarium1.jpg


aquarium2.jpg


In the wet/dry will likely be a Rio 2500 to make sure there is plenty of filtration and a good current. However, I can't get that until my next paycheck comes around, and even at that it'll take a week to get here. So, I'm currently looking at two weeks before I can even start the aquarium up.

On top of that, I'm likely to let it start cycling for about a week or more, and in that time period get some live rock and such for the aquarium.

Long story short, I have approximately three weeks before I want to even think about putting fish in there. That said, I'm not 100% sure what I want to try. I was thinking of a foxface, but I don't think this aquarium will be big enough for one. Even if I did get a foxface, I still would like at least another fish in there.

So... any ideas? :)
 
Water will for sure take longer than a week to cycle, try 4 weeks... Don't be in a rush make sure the water is good before you add fish, your water is not gonna be great once you add that live rock, especially a week after you add it, foxes get pretty big 7-11 inches ...70++ gallon tanks, do some reading on how to properly cycle a new marine aquarium, plenty of advice on this site, or your heading for disaster
 
It's more like 6 weeks to cycle. ;)
Put the rock in asap because the tank will recycle once you do.
There are hundreds of options for livestock. A lot of people hate damsels, but there are some pretty ones out there and they are TOUGH! You can look at some of the smaller wrasses (6-lines are pretty nice), dwarf angels (Flame, Coral Beauty), dwarf lions (fu manchu), clowns.
Just do a lot of research and make sure your livestock is compatible and above all else - BE PATIENT! :D
 
@Tb86 & EastBay: So one of you says 4 weeks, the other says 6, should I assume 5 or go with the longer date to be safe? :\

@EastBay: I was definitely thinking a dwarf angel or two, and I've looked at a dwarf lion but I don't think it's quite my cup of tea. Clowns are always a great option, though. Just have to keep my eye out for the right one :)

@stopsharkfinning: Just fish for now, I want to upgrade before I try to keep anything else.
 
Actually, the cycle will take however long it takes. But it's usually somewhere between 4 and 6 weeks. Just buy a test kit and test the water parameters frequently. Mine took 6 six weeks.
Like I said, put the live rock in as soon as possible because if you start cycling the tank without it, it will start the cycle all over again when you do. Cycling withe live rock will also allow you to do a fishless cycle, since the "stuff" on the live rock will serve as the cycle starter.
 
I forgot who told me...if you want cycle with a shrimp or two. I forgot if eighter dead or a live shrimp.

I know how dead one's are used to start the cycle...but people start with damsels..hardy inverts is ok.
 
Thanks guys, the cycle has begun!! :headbang2

Now a question as I'm trying to get everything prepped before fish and such can go in. The more I decided maybe a clown fish or two, the more I thought how cool an anemone could be. Now I know that low light anemone can't host clowns (or so I've heard), so I went looking for some lights on craigslist.

Would this MH be enough on my aquarium for an anemone, not enough light, or overkill? Aquarium is once again 54 gallons, about 2 feet tall. Picture on my first post can be used as a reference.

http://orlando.craigslist.org/ele/2320707952.html
 
Bubble tip anemones tend to be the hardiest and most likely to host with a clown. i would get a pair of clowns ( i have one back and one orange) and then maybe an angelfish...
 
TMartinez;5110340; said:
Bubble tip anemones tend to be the hardiest and most likely to host with a clown. i would get a pair of clowns ( i have one back and one orange) and then maybe an angelfish...
Click to expand...

Thanks, I know I'll still probably need some stronger lights than what I have, though. Current set up is pretty bright, but I don't think it'll be enough unless the anemone sits at the very top of the tank. Not gonna risk it this early.

I was thinking a dwarf angel such as the flame, coral beauty or lemonpeel, but my LFS has a half black dwarf angel that is absolutely GORGEOUS!! Leaning strongly towards that when everything gets set up :)
 
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