bridget111188
Reefing newb
Hello my name is Bridget. I bought a 55 gallon tank at a dollar per gallon sale about 6 months ago. I'm planning on starting up a saltwater tank. I have years of experience in fresh water and about a year experience in maintaining saltwater at work. But I have never started up a saltwater tank. I'm planning on housing fish and coral in this tank. So I have the tank, fluval led reef light, net, 55 gallon heater. I need a lot more supplies please let me know if I'm missing anything. This is where I need your input.
I have no idea what would be a good stand for a 55 gallon. Is there a stand out there that is heavy duty? What do you guys use?
What do you think about skimmers and UV sterilizers? Are they necessary and what brand is best?
What is the best live sand/coral to use?
I know I need two power heads. What ones should I use for a 55 gallon tank? How much power will I need?
I don't think I'll be using a sump is that a good idea?
I love my Marineland 70 gallon I don't think I'll have space for a canister filter. Is this a good idea?
What is the best salt mix to use?
Do I need to add any additives to the water before add fish and coral?
I know I also need a hydrometer, thermometer, test kit what do I need to test for?
How long should I wait to put fish and coral in?
What is the best way to start a tank? Is the one small shrimp method the best?
Ok, now that we have that all set. I think I have a fish and coral figured out. Tell me what you think please. I wont be offended by your thoughts. I'll list them in the order of placement in the tank. Time also added.
Step 1 first fish adding soon after the tank has cycled (2 weeks to 1 month)
2 to 4 Chromis or maybe 1 to 4 clown gobies
Step 2 clean up crew adding a month or two after the chromis (1.5 month to 2 months)
10 Blue leg hermit crabs
5 Turbo snails
10 Spiny star astreae snails
10 Nassarius snails
Step 3 interesting cleaners added (2 months to 3 months)
1 to 2 Two spotted gobies
Step 4 more schooling if needed may not add added (3 to 5 months)
1 to 3 Anthias
Step 5 cleaner for worm pick up added (3 months to 5 months)
1 Sunrise dotty back
Step 6 movement fish added (4 to 6 months)
1 or 2 Red headed fairy wrasse or leopard wrasse
Step 7 pretty cleaners added (4 to 6 months)
1 cleaner shrimp
Step 8 I would love to have an angel but may not need added (4 to 8 months)
1 Coral beauty
Step 9 if needed more cleaners may not need one may not add (4 to 6 months)
Brittle starfish
Step 10 I would love an anemone and I know clarkii (8 months to 1 year)
1 to 2 Clarkii clowns
1 Condi anemone or long tentacle anemone what are clarkiis more likely to bond to?
Step 11 easy coral life that spread fast added (8 months to 1.5 year)
Fancy blue, red and curly mushrooms
Step 12 easy to house and easy to frag added (8 months to 1.5 year)
Toadstool and finger leathers
Step 13 very nice hard coral added (8 months to 2 years)
Montiporas
Thank you so much for all of your info. Any thoughts will help. I know it's a lot but if you have any experience good and bad with starting up a tank the equipment and fish would be wonderful.
I have no idea what would be a good stand for a 55 gallon. Is there a stand out there that is heavy duty? What do you guys use?
What do you think about skimmers and UV sterilizers? Are they necessary and what brand is best?
What is the best live sand/coral to use?
I know I need two power heads. What ones should I use for a 55 gallon tank? How much power will I need?
I don't think I'll be using a sump is that a good idea?
I love my Marineland 70 gallon I don't think I'll have space for a canister filter. Is this a good idea?
What is the best salt mix to use?
Do I need to add any additives to the water before add fish and coral?
I know I also need a hydrometer, thermometer, test kit what do I need to test for?
How long should I wait to put fish and coral in?
What is the best way to start a tank? Is the one small shrimp method the best?
Ok, now that we have that all set. I think I have a fish and coral figured out. Tell me what you think please. I wont be offended by your thoughts. I'll list them in the order of placement in the tank. Time also added.
Step 1 first fish adding soon after the tank has cycled (2 weeks to 1 month)
2 to 4 Chromis or maybe 1 to 4 clown gobies
Step 2 clean up crew adding a month or two after the chromis (1.5 month to 2 months)
10 Blue leg hermit crabs
5 Turbo snails
10 Spiny star astreae snails
10 Nassarius snails
Step 3 interesting cleaners added (2 months to 3 months)
1 to 2 Two spotted gobies
Step 4 more schooling if needed may not add added (3 to 5 months)
1 to 3 Anthias
Step 5 cleaner for worm pick up added (3 months to 5 months)
1 Sunrise dotty back
Step 6 movement fish added (4 to 6 months)
1 or 2 Red headed fairy wrasse or leopard wrasse
Step 7 pretty cleaners added (4 to 6 months)
1 cleaner shrimp
Step 8 I would love to have an angel but may not need added (4 to 8 months)
1 Coral beauty
Step 9 if needed more cleaners may not need one may not add (4 to 6 months)
Brittle starfish
Step 10 I would love an anemone and I know clarkii (8 months to 1 year)
1 to 2 Clarkii clowns
1 Condi anemone or long tentacle anemone what are clarkiis more likely to bond to?
Step 11 easy coral life that spread fast added (8 months to 1.5 year)
Fancy blue, red and curly mushrooms
Step 12 easy to house and easy to frag added (8 months to 1.5 year)
Toadstool and finger leathers
Step 13 very nice hard coral added (8 months to 2 years)
Montiporas
Thank you so much for all of your info. Any thoughts will help. I know it's a lot but if you have any experience good and bad with starting up a tank the equipment and fish would be wonderful.