Feeling overwhelmed

[jnj]

We have finally decided to go from FW to SW tank. We have gone to several local stores, and have found one that seems to be the most honest and knowledgable. They told us we could bring in a sample of our water and they could test it for us. We took it in there, and he said that our nitrates were too high to add fish yet. What I don't understand about this is: (a) the first time we went in there one guy told us that we would need to let it cycle for a few days then add fish and that would help balance it aka to get the bacteria to grow (b) he told us to add some more prime (a chemical removes chlorine, chloramine, ammonia, etc.) then come back tomorrow to get fish (c) he also told us to get damsels, because they were the cheapest fish and most people would prefer to lose $5 instead of $20. After reading many posts on this site, it seems to me that either I'm misunderstanding them or that maybe that aren't as knowledgable as I thought. I just want to take in all of the information I can just to make sure that this will be a successful tank.

I forgot the specs, sorry.

55 gallon tank
2 florcent bulbs
live sand (about 2-3 in thick)
some shells from recent FL vacation
powerhead
2 filters (forgive me for not knowing the type they are just the regular ones you get with a new tank)

I don't know what other information is needed.

 

[six.line]

[welcome]

I just wanted to be the first to say that. Gimme a second and I'll post from my oh-so-deep well of knowledge.

 

[jnj]

Thank you for the welcome. Very cute.

 

[six.line]

Don't get chemicals to get rid of ammonia. It's much better to let nature take it's course. To get rid of nitrates, get a sump and grow some macroalgae. I personally wouldn't recommend damsels, because the stupid things are aggressive and very often an annoyance later on down the line.

Good starter fish can be any number of fish. It's just sometimes tough to have the patience to stare at an empty tank until it's ready for some cool looking fish.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Re: Feeling overwhelmed

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7356445#post7356445 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnj
2 filters (forgive me for not knowing the type they are just the regular ones you get with a new tank)

I don't know what other information is needed.

Whether you choose to go marine FO (fish only) or reef, it's very important to fully understand what type of filtration your system employs and how it works.
Do you have an UG (undergravel) filter or some type of powered canister filter... or maybe a biowheel (wet/dry) type filter?

Oftentimes people feel overwhelmed when new to aquarium keeping. (I sure was!) Don't be discouraged- it's part of learning.
And the learning never truly ends.

 

[jnj]

We will be going FO (for now at least) . No we do not have an undergravel filter. No we do not have a biowheel. I do know that one is a tetra filter and the other is an aquatech. (I'm pretty sure on the names.) The Aquatech takes 2 carbon/fiber filters and the tetra takes 4 carbon/fiber filter. The tetra has a sponge at the front of it and it comes with a heater.

They were more than adaquatic for a FW tank, but we will be upgrading within the next couple of months to the wet/dry filter (hopefully, at least).

 

[jnj]

Just for farther info i fogot. W will be having the clown fish. (I know not another Nemo tank, but hey we have 2 small children and a daycare here.)

 

[Shooter7]

Good reading for newbies:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=239848

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

In the original thread posting (specs) you mentioned installing a 2"-3" layer of live sand in your proposed 55 gallon clownfish aquarium. (Nemo tanks are very kewl if done properly!) With such a sandbed you might want to forgo the use of a wet/dry filter. (The sandbed will provide necessary biological filtration and the wet/dry can cause more problems than it solves.) You should consider a protein skimmer instead of a wet/dry.
Damselfish can be very unkind to Clownfish, especially if they get established before the Clowns are introduced. Resist the temptation and research.

 

[killingseed]

i have started each one of my tanks with those yellow tail damsels , after setting up the tanks adding the sand bed and salt water . i would wait like two to 2 weeks and i would put 1 damsels in my tank to get the cycle going. its been a 50/50 on if the fish lives. if he dies so be it i put his body in my filter and i let the tanks set for 2 to 3 more weeks and add a couple green chromis or more damels.

i have done one by just placing dead shrimp in my tank to cylce the tank once again after adding it i wait 2 to 3 weeks before i add any fish at all.

i have not tested the water (which is alwas helpful in tell what stage your tanks cycle is in), but remmbering that the tank will not cycle without add protein of some kind to get the cycle going.


i just started a new tank about 3 months ago and i have not tested the water once yet. i read about all the testing that goes on here from the other users. and i just have not bought a new test kit yet :< hopping to get it tested this week at my LFS. but for the most part i have 2 yellow tail damsels, a scooter , a yellow tang and a cleaner shrimp, and some live rock, 3 months in to it.

ps. shame on me i did all that with no testing and tap water. my new ro unit will be here tues :>

 

[killingseed]

couple good links on SW cycle.
http://reefsources.itgo.com/guide/biological.html

A Typical Break-In Cycle
http://www.bestfish.com/newtank3.html

 

[jnj]

if he dies so be it i put his body in my filter and i let the tanks set for 2 to 3 more weeks and add a couple green chromis or more damels.

So, you leave the dead fish in your filter for 2 or 3 weeks or did you take it our before that?

 

[killingseed]

after a couple days i would take it out if i can find it, sometimes there was nothing left.

 

[jnj]

We would like to thank EVERYBODY for every single bit of information we have received. It is greatly appreciated and very helpful. Only time will tell what will come of this experience. We will keep you posted on how everything goes. Thanks again.

 

[CarmieJo]

Are you using live rock too? This along with live sand will serve as filtration for your tank. With LR & LS you will not need to put a fish through a cycle. Think of yourself being forced to live outdoors in Code Purple air quality days for several weeks.

I would not go with the wet/dry filter it is a nitrate factory. Instead use a sump and protein skimmer.

You may want to consider listening to the TalkingReef podcasts. You can find them at www.TalkingReef.com or on iTunes. There are podcasts on many subjects from beginner to advanced. If you don't have an iPod or mp3 player you can still download iTunes and listen from your computer. Both the podcasts and iTunes are free.

:fish1:

 

[Sk8r]

Rather than doing in a damsel, just take a pinch of Formula One fishfood and toss it into the tank daily. Does the same thing.

Your local fish store is giving you advice that is about 10 to 15 years dated. The technology has changed a lot, and allows marine tanks to be a lot more stable: that is why there is so much conflicting information out there. A lot of chain stores are still selling the old technology to people who primarily want to keep freshwater fish. Marine stuff is sort of an afterthought to them---for one thing because the coral hobby is done a lot by 'fragging,' breaking off bits of coral, mounting and trading them for growth by other reefers. This isn't too profitable for chains who want a standard product they can put a bar code on. Your best info will come from Reef Central and other such online sources. Sometimes you can pick up somebody's perfectly good equipment that they are selling because they just bought something larger.
Check out the articles that start each section of the forum, and likewise the ones available at the left on the splash page. This will save you a lot of money and difficulty.
The real short cuts are at the beginning, doing everything 'by the book' and taking time to be sure the cycle is through, going very slowly, and building stability into your system. Neither saltwater fish nor corals are hard: they just have requirements that have to be satisfied, and if your equipment is up to snuff and you're keeping the kind of livestock your equipment is fit for, and doing things methodically, you'll have a great time at this hobby, no question.

 

[alexk3954]

If you are looking for more sources of information, you might want to check out talkingreef.com and listen to the podcasts. They are very full of information ( the first couple have great info for you about cycling) and after you are completly sick of reading all this new stuff, you can sit down, relax, and just listen to someone give you info on reef tanks

 

[Alaskan Reefer]

Check to see if the HOB (hang on back) filter with the heater is for saltwater use -- many systems with incorporated filters can't handle saltwater.

Don't buy damsels, you'll just end up taking them out later more than likely. Especially if you want a clown. I'd start with the clown first.

Dont' toss in chemicals to fix anything -- supplements yes, to repair problems like excess nutrients, no way. The problem will just come back unless you make other changes to the system. You need to figure out how to get as much nitrate and phosphate out (export) as you put in (import). Typical methods are a deep sand bed, live rock, protein skimmer, or refugium. Most successful reefers utilize at least three of these on their tanks.

Test kits for calcium, alkalinity, nitrate, and pH are mandatory equipment, and a refractometer is something you'll eventually buy anyway, even if you already have a hydrometer. Invest in one you'll be happier every day that you own it.

Beyond test equipment, my other suggestion would be first and foremost to invest in the best skimmer you can afford. If you don't want a sump, which is common for first reef tanks, a Coralife Super Skimmer is a good choice for the money. If you want to buy a HOB skimmer that will survive an upgrade to even a 125, then the Deltec MCE600 is want.

 

[Alaskan Reefer]

And don't feel overwhelmed. Every successful reefer has killed fish, killed corals, and grown nuisance algae. It's part of the drill. Where you want to start is knowing your water is the best it can be chemically...

 

[TOYMAN357]

I agree with Sk8r
Why kill of a fish, they are not intended for that. When ever setting up new tank I always add a pinch of food dailey, let cycle that way. I also have gone to Lfs when they open in morning and ask for newly expired salt water inventory. They always have at least 1 or 2 dead fish each day, use them instead a fish that may live in a established tank.