New to the saltwater hobby

T

tehSAC

New member
So I'm a beginner at keeping a saltwater tank but have kept my fair share of freshwater tanks. I'm needing a new hobby and wanting a tank in my home again and have decided to go the saltwater route. I've thought about going with a 20-30 gallon tank, but have been swayed to go larger so I'm planning on a 55 gallon tank. Hopefully I can find a decent tank, and stand on craigslist. It would be the largest I could go in my home and where I would like to display it.

Anyway, I don't think I want to go the route of a sump/refugium because I live in the country and we experience multiple power outages due to weather and such. So what would be my best route? Hang on back filter for carbon, and hang on back skimmer, and in tank heater and powerheads? Honestly I don't mind having equipment showing in the tank. Also I'm on a well, so would purchasing RO water from the supermarket be an okay option? Also Live Rock, is that an option I should favor towards, or can I use a dry rock like Pukani Rock, Bulk Reef Supply carries?

I would like to set this tank up as a reef tank. Keeping some of the softer corals and staying away from the harder stuff, for now. My daughter would love a clown fish and a blenny, so that is something I also know I want. Possibly a pair when talking about the clown fish. Other than those fish, what would be some others that would be good in a 55 gallon tank? Triggers are my favorite fish, but I know they are aggressive and like to munch on coral. It wouldn't be safe to keep one right? I don't want to rush this and am willing to take my time to make sure my tank thrives.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
tehSAC said:
So I'm a beginner at keeping a saltwater tank but have kept my fair share of freshwater tanks. I'm needing a new hobby and wanting a tank in my home again and have decided to go the saltwater route. I've thought about going with a 20-30 gallon tank, but have been swayed to go larger so I'm planning on a 55 gallon tank. Hopefully I can find a decent tank, and stand on craigslist. It would be the largest I could go in my home and where I would like to display it.

Anyway, I don't think I want to go the route of a sump/refugium because I live in the country and we experience multiple power outages due to weather and such. So what would be my best route? Hang on back filter for carbon, and hang on back skimmer, and in tank heater and powerheads? Honestly I don't mind having equipment showing in the tank. Also I'm on a well, so would purchasing RO water from the supermarket be an okay option? Also Live Rock, is that an option I should favor towards, or can I use a dry rock like Pukani Rock, Bulk Reef Supply carries?

I would like to set this tank up as a reef tank. Keeping some of the softer corals and staying away from the harder stuff, for now. My daughter would love a clown fish and a blenny, so that is something I also know I want. Possibly a pair when talking about the clown fish. Other than those fish, what would be some others that would be good in a 55 gallon tank? Triggers are my favorite fish, but I know they are aggressive and like to munch on coral. It wouldn't be safe to keep one right? I don't want to rush this and am willing to take my time to make sure my tank thrives.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

I would say one of your best investments right away would be a decent RO/DI unit to use in home. You'd be surprised how much RO/DI you will use, and I can only imagine how much of a pain it would be to go to the store every time you needed some.

With my first tank I had a simple HOB filter, no skimmer, and a bottom of the line power head. The tank was only 36 gallons and I only had 2 fish and three or four soft corals. Everything survived and did fine, it is definitely doable with what you have listed. Ultimately I did a major upgrade and now run a sump on my system, which I really enjoy - so it could be something you could work towards if you ultimately get very involved in the hobby.

A 55 gallon tank for a trigger is way too small. When you do go to buy new fish do your research, liveaquaria has a wealth of information on minimum tank sizes required for fish as well as any aggression or coral eating issues. Also - pay attention to aggression and the order you add your fish. I got a damsel because they were "easy" to keep - and now he's a total a**hole. Typically you should add the least aggressive fish first so they can establish some territory and settle in, then add more aggressive fish near the end.

I purchased dry live rock from BRS and am happy with what I got. It was a cheaper alternative to buying live rock as well. Make sure your tank is cycled well before you begin to add anything. It is boring to stare at any empty tank for weeks, but you will quickly learn patience is key in this hobby.

There is a ton of information available on reef central - I spent hours reading through forums, and still do, learning along the way. Do your research and you will ultimately find out what works for you.

Happy reefing!
 
tehSAC said:
So I'm a beginner at keeping a saltwater tank but have kept my fair share of freshwater tanks. I'm needing a new hobby and wanting a tank in my home again and have decided to go the saltwater route. I've thought about going with a 20-30 gallon tank, but have been swayed to go larger so I'm planning on a 55 gallon tank. Hopefully I can find a decent tank, and stand on craigslist. It would be the largest I could go in my home and where I would like to display it.

Anyway, I don't think I want to go the route of a sump/refugium because I live in the country and we experience multiple power outages due to weather and such. So what would be my best route?
As you progress in this hobby you will realize that a sump is normally the best way to go, it you buy a "reef ready" tank power outages are nothing to worry about as far as water on the floor
Hang on back filter for carbon, and hang on back skimmer, and in tank heater and powerheads? Honestly I don't mind having equipment showing in the tank. Also I'm on a well, so would purchasing RO water from the supermarket be an okay option? can be, I went that route for years and then finally spent the money on an RODI unit and have kicked myself for not doing it sooner, saves money in the long run as well as convenience
Also Live Rock, is that an option I should favor towards, or can I use a dry rock like Pukani Rock, Bulk Reef Supply carries?
Mixed opinions in the hobby about this, however dry rock is growing more and more popular because you can start a tank pest free, it costs much less, and with modern bottled bacteria dry rock can cycle much quicker than in the past

I would like to set this tank up as a reef tank. Keeping some of the softer corals and staying away from the harder stuff, for now. My daughter would love a clown fish and a blenny, so that is something I also know I want. Possibly a pair when talking about the clown fish. Other than those fish, what would be some others that would be good in a 55 gallon tank? Triggers are my favorite fish, but I know they are aggressive and like to munch on coral. It wouldn't be safe to keep one right? any trigger would make a snack out of clowns most likely and they will all outgrow a 55
I don't want to rush this and am willing to take my time to make sure my tank thrives.
Welcome to reef central
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
 
I would think a sump would be a lot easier to use than the hang on the back...both need power to run so it doesn't make any difference which you use. The sump rout will give you a little more water volume as well as space for other things down the road. Also you wouldn't have to buy stuff now that you won't need later.
 
Okay so learn me on RO/DI units. That's my biggest hang up right now. Thinking on things last night and having one of these units that is. I don't know how they work, or where to install one. Is this a system I install in my garage and use only when needed? Do I need to install another water line? Etc Etc. I'm trying to also justify the cost with my wife.

Remember I am coming from keeping freshwater fish. I could use my tap water for those guys, and kept a thriving cichlid tank for years.
 
Also would you advise a beginner from staying away from anything smaller than a 55 gallon tank?

My wife has decided she would prefer nothing bigger than 30 gallons.
 
My first tank was a 24 gallon, and it was great. Lower on maintenance and was an all in one tank. That being said, I quickly ran out of space for things I wanted to do. I'd go with the 55 if you can convince the wife. Don't use tapwater in a saltwater. I did it just to top off a couple of times and paid the price. I can't help much with the RO/DI system because I always go to the LFS to pick some up when I need it.
 
tehSAC said:
Okay so learn me on RO/DI units. That's my biggest hang up right now. Thinking on things last night and having one of these units that is. I don't know how they work, or where to install one. Is this a system I install in my garage and use only when needed? Do I need to install another water line? Etc Etc. I'm trying to also justify the cost with my wife.

Remember I am coming from keeping freshwater fish. I could use my tap water for those guys, and kept a thriving cichlid tank for years.
Click to expand...

RODI seems complicated at first, you get this picture of tearing into walls and installing water lines and such... at least thats what I thought at first lol. And RODI system is noting more than a very good water filter. You can permanently install it or leave it in a closet and hook it to a sink when you need it. BRS has a really good video on installing an RODI system in different ways that makes it crystal clear how easy it is, i found its easier to watch than to try and have it explained to you...check it out...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTONjczeGGY
 
You may be interested in a 'complete kit' like a JBJ Nano Cube, Biocube etc. I had one as my first SW tank and loved it. You basically get (almost) everything you need in terms of equipment in one clean looking package. Sure its going to cost you more especially if you buy it new, but a lot of people sell these used too. Your wife will appreciate that most of them stay under or around 30g and they look fantastic, especially if you purchase the matching stand.
 
Would a 30 gallon be hard for me as a beginner. I understand the basics of fish keeping, and am willing to take my time. I was annoyingly persistent on keeping and eye on my water and filtration with my cichlids as well.
 
tehSAC said:
Would a 30 gallon be hard for me as a beginner. I understand the basics of fish keeping, and am willing to take my time. I was annoyingly persistent on keeping and eye on my water and filtration with my cichlids as well.
Click to expand...

A lot of people have had tanks in this size as beginners... my first was a 46 sumpless, smaller tanks are just more reactive to change and that is why you hear people tell beginners to stay away from nanos. If you are willing to keep an eye on your parameters and NOT CONSTANTLY FIDDLE with the tank there is no reason a beginner cannot have a successful 30 gallon reef.
 
I would stay away from the 55. It is currently the tank I have. The rockscaping is hard due to the limited deep space. Also makes keeping the glass clean a pain. Go with a cube or something that is at least 18"deep. Remember though the smaller the system the bigger the swings on water parameters.
 
Thank you to those have given me hope and shared your input.

I think we have decided to look for a JBJ Nano 29 and go from there. I'm prepared to keep an eye on things and not fiddle with it when not needed. My 8 yr old daughter is extremely excited and wanting to start soon. We even started to talk about stocking this morning after visiting the aquarium yesterday. So I've been looking around and I'm curious if this list is feesiable for a 30 gallon tank and beginners. Also note we will want to add some beginner corals sometime down the road.

2 Clownfish
1 Tailspot Blenny
1 Firefish
1 Six line Wrasse

Or

2 Clownfish
1 Tailspot Blenny
1 Firefish
1 Blue/Green Chromis.
 
Personally I'd steer clear of a six line, particularly in a small tank like that. They can be mean as snot. Blue/Green Chromis like to have others of their kind, but you'd be pushing it adding another one. Those others look good for that size tank. My 24 gallon (much like the JBJ as it is also an all in one) has two clowns and did have two firefish (one died) and I actually have a wrasse too which really should have a larger tank, but seems to be very happy in my tank. I'd probably go with the second list, nix the chromis and add another firefish. That would be a good mix.
 
Fish list

Fish list

Personally, I would avoid the six line wrasse. Sometimes they are fine but some can bully other fish relentlessly. One at my LFS bullied a clown to death. The clowns would probably be fine in that tank, as they are very hardy and probably the easiest marine fish to keep.

Firefish are good, but I would avoid keeping 1 chromis. They like to be in relatively large groups and can become aggressive when they get big. If I were in your position, I would leave th chromis and add another firefish or something else. Perhaps a blue cheek or chalk goby if your sand is the right consistency.

Good luck with your tank:fish1:
 
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