Starting my first Saltwater tank.

[rba718]

Alright, up to now I've stuck with only Freshwater but I had an idea for something crazy.

I bought a 40 gallon tank the other day - 36" long, 18" wide, and 16" tall. My plan is to set this up and get a Maine Lobster from a Seafood Market and see if I can keep it in there as a pet - sparring him the 'ol Garlic and Butter.

However, as I mentioned, this is going to be my first Saltwater tank so I need a little help.

My setup is going to be fairly plain - Crushed Coral sand most likely with a couple rocks here and there and that's it.

Firstly, what are some cheap economical starter fish I can find to help cycle the tank? Really, I know nothing of Saltwater fish.

I know I need a Chiller for the Lobster but that's as far as I know about it, I'm really not even sure how it works.

What kind of filter should I use? Can I use any old kind of filter or do I need one of those extra tanks for the bottom?

Is lighting important for Inverts?

Many thanks to the patience and help in advance.

 

[rba718]

bumping for newb halp!

 

[gobucks1]

blue velvet damsels, they get near 5" max

semi aggressive, tough, cheapish up here (which is usually much more expensive than anywhere else), and very, very pretty. get some live rock too if ya can.

 

[rba718]

blue velvet damsels, they get near 5" max

semi aggressive, tough, cheapish up here (which is usually much more expensive than anywhere else), and very, very pretty. get some live rock too if ya can.

I'm guessing the live rock will help with the cycling? Cool.

I've heard things about Protein skimmers or Calcium stuff, should I need any of that? I don't plan on using any real live corals or anything.

 

[Reefscape]

Alright, up to now I've stuck with only Freshwater but I had an idea for something crazy.

I bought a 40 gallon tank the other day - 36" long, 18" wide, and 16" tall. My plan is to set this up and get a Maine Lobster from a Seafood Market and see if I can keep it in there as a pet - sparring him the 'ol Garlic and Butter.

However, as I mentioned, this is going to be my first Saltwater tank so I need a little help.

My setup is going to be fairly plain - Crushed Coral sand most likely with a couple rocks here and there and that's it.

<<Leave out the crushed coral and go with sugar grade reef sand. CC will trap detritus and food particles which will leave to elevated nitrates unless the sand bed gets cleaned by you on a very regular basis>>

Firstly, what are some cheap economical starter fish I can find to help cycle the tank? Really, I know nothing of Saltwater fish.

<<Dont use fish to cycle a tank, its very inhumain. Use a raw shrimp or prawn wrapped in fine mesh material. This will rot away and produced the needed ammonia>>

I know I need a Chiller for the Lobster but that's as far as I know about it, I'm really not even sure how it works.

<<Chillers are just plumbed in to the tank and water is circulated through the chiller. Very easy to setup and use>>

What kind of filter should I use? Can I use any old kind of filter or do I need one of those extra tanks for the bottom?

<<A filter rated about half again for your tank size. So, a 100 gallon tank, for example, you would add a filter suitable for 150gal. No, you wont need one of the extra tanks for the bottom....they are called a sump tank >>

Is lighting important for Inverts?

<<Nope...>>

Many thanks to the patience and help in advance.

Added some comments above in red..

 

[Reefscape]

I'm guessing the live rock will help with the cycling? Cool.

I've heard things about Protein skimmers or Calcium stuff, should I need any of that? I don't plan on using any real live corals or anything.

A skimmer would nto be required just for this...You also wont need to worry about calcium. I would test for iodine regularly though...

 

[rba718]

Oh wow, so it doesn't seem as complicated as I originally thought it was going to be. I like the raw shrimp idea to cycle the tank too, I always feel bad for buying fish just to cycle the tank, especially since I'm not even going to care or keep for them very well anyway.

The Chillers are expensive but I should be able to find one, if not there's always my next check.

Anyways, thanks a bunch!

 

[BIGgourami]

and don't really expect this guy to be any kind of crown pleaser, they really don't DO anything... i'd much rather get a spiny lobster and get a 75 gallon, but that's just me....


the other important info seems to have been covered already...

 

[rba718]

and don't really expect this guy to be any kind of crown pleaser, they really don't DO anything... i'd much rather get a spiny lobster and get a 75 gallon, but that's just me....


the other important info seems to have been covered already...

That's okay, I'm used to inverts already and I know how boring they can be. I just think they're cool as heck and I like having a nice home for them.

Right now I already own a Papav Crayfish, the one in my icon actually. He doesn't do much but he's still a cool little bugger.

 

[BIGgourami]

then great

pick a biggie, and name him 'pinchy'