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Saltwater aquarium enthusiasts help me with my new tank
Posted on 3/13/16 at 9:59 pm
Posted on 3/13/16 at 9:59 pm
Just got it set up. 57 gallon Oceanic rimless tank with led coral lighting fixture. 50lbs of rock(not live rock but it has been in a saltwater bath for a year getting seasoned).got one bag of live sand and about 80# of crushed coral. Wanting to do anenomies and clown fish. I need to cycle this tank. What's the best way? 
This post was edited on 3/13/16 at 10:02 pm
9
Posted on 3/13/16 at 10:01 pm to meauxjeaux2
Best way to cycle is to put a dead shrimp in it. It will take about a month. Why crushed coral? That's going to cause nutrient problems more than sand.
Don't attempt to put more than one pair of clowns in a tank that small.
Don't attempt to put more than one pair of clowns in a tank that small.
Posted on 3/13/16 at 10:06 pm to meauxjeaux2
Just cycle it with one of the quick cycle formulas. Put clowns in a few days later and add coral a month or so down the line . Clowns are pretty hardy in my experience and hard to kill.
Posted on 3/13/16 at 10:09 pm to Politiceaux
quote:
Best way to cycle is to put a dead shrimp in it
The best way to cycle is pure ammonia, which can be purchased at ACE hardware. Make sure it's pure and doesn't foam when the bottle is shaked.
Posted on 3/13/16 at 10:10 pm to meauxjeaux2
Try www.reefcentral.com
Posted on 3/13/16 at 10:20 pm to meauxjeaux2
The live sand should allow the nitrogen cycle to happen. Give it 30 days and do a 10% water change. Add your fish then. If you want anemones, make sure you have excellent lights and make sure they're the right anemones for your species of clown. Don't put ammonia in your tank.
Posted on 3/13/16 at 11:53 pm to meauxjeaux2
In my experience with aquariums, these are some good steps to follow.
Read aquarium forums for advice, especially questions like you're asking. The forums can be very specific.
Research. Research. Research before buying. This will help you save money and not put yourself in an unwanted situation.
Don't overstock.
Find suitable tankmates.
The larger the better, meaning aquarium size. Go as big as you legitimately can. Larger tanks are easier to take care of.
Read aquarium forums for advice, especially questions like you're asking. The forums can be very specific.
Research. Research. Research before buying. This will help you save money and not put yourself in an unwanted situation.
Don't overstock.
Find suitable tankmates.
The larger the better, meaning aquarium size. Go as big as you legitimately can. Larger tanks are easier to take care of.
Posted on 3/14/16 at 12:02 am to meauxjeaux2
quote:
Best way to cycle is to put a dead shrimp in it. It will take about a month. Why crushed coral? That's going to cause nutrient problems more than sand.
Don't attempt to put more than one pair of clowns in a tank that small.
This is the newer way and is effective. The old way was a damsel fish. They can take not having the bacteria colonies not being established. Downside is its cruel to the fish (some say) and unless its a green chromis damsel look for them to be very aggressive and impossible to catch (should you not want them after the cycle).
You could also, "seed" the bacteria. Get several pounds of sand or substrate from an established system. I would dig a trench across the bottom of the tank in the substrate and put the established substrate in the trench. It will speed the cycle process.
Posted on 3/14/16 at 12:04 am to achenator
Posted on 3/14/16 at 12:06 am to Jones
quote:
Go as big as you legitimately can. Larger tanks are easier to take care of.
Thats mostly because nothing good happens in a system quickly and the larger the volume of water USUALLY the slower or more gradual the change.
Problem is cost. Water changes add up quick not to mention the real money should be spent on the equipment also.
Posted on 3/14/16 at 12:21 am to MoreOrLes
Yea the cost is higher but you have less of a chance of screwing up your system, especially as a beginner.
Equipment can be purchased cheap through forums, Craigslist, etc.
Fwiw, I would start with freshwater first.
The cost of water changes shouldn't be much at all. Let's say you do 10-15% every week. That's 20-30 gallons in a 210 gallon. Something smaller like a 75 gallon and you're using 10 gallons a week.
Equipment can be purchased cheap through forums, Craigslist, etc.
Fwiw, I would start with freshwater first.
The cost of water changes shouldn't be much at all. Let's say you do 10-15% every week. That's 20-30 gallons in a 210 gallon. Something smaller like a 75 gallon and you're using 10 gallons a week.
Posted on 3/14/16 at 12:23 am to Jones
Saltmix and making RO Water is a must and can add up.
Posted on 3/14/16 at 12:27 am to MoreOrLes
Word.
Posted on 3/14/16 at 2:52 am to meauxjeaux2
Good luck with it! I've wanted to do a reef tank for years. Almost got into it a few yrars ago when I quit racing motorcycles and was looking for a hobby. Did all the research, bought a couple things, them bailed on the whole idea.
Last year when I got back into keeping snakes, I didn't expect to have more than one or two. Now a year later I've got between $4-5K tied up in my snake collection.
If I knew I was going to sink that much money into them, I would have started a 200 gallon reef tank project. I think when we're done traveling for my kid's karate tournaments in a couple years, I'll make a serious run at a nice setup. I want to do mostly soft corals with a few fish and critters. Please post some pics and updates throughout the process. 
Last year when I got back into keeping snakes, I didn't expect to have more than one or two. Now a year later I've got between $4-5K tied up in my snake collection.
If I knew I was going to sink that much money into them, I would have started a 200 gallon reef tank project. I think when we're done traveling for my kid's karate tournaments in a couple years, I'll make a serious run at a nice setup. I want to do mostly soft corals with a few fish and critters. Please post some pics and updates throughout the process. 
Posted on 3/14/16 at 7:35 am to meauxjeaux2
Best advice is to take your time and do your research. It's hard looking at an empty tank for a few weeks but follow the advice of others.
Keep us updated, I'm interested to see how it looks in the future.
Keep us updated, I'm interested to see how it looks in the future.
Posted on 3/14/16 at 8:16 am to Scooba
so since we're on the subject does anyone have a 20 long or a skimmer they want to get rid of?
also, any reason the stand below might not hold a 55gal 48x18 tank?
also, any reason the stand below might not hold a 55gal 48x18 tank?
This post was edited on 3/14/16 at 8:18 am
Posted on 3/14/16 at 8:19 am to Zach Lee To Amp Hill
Looks sturdy enough to me. Can't be any worse than the particle board that wal-mart sells. That tank should weigh about 450 lbs or so before substrate.
Posted on 3/14/16 at 8:23 am to Zach Lee To Amp Hill
Look up Southeast Louisiana Aquarium Society on Facebook. SELAS.
They have a Facebook page dedicated to people selling equipment.
They have a Facebook page dedicated to people selling equipment.
Posted on 3/14/16 at 8:25 am to Scooba
excellent. i'm real nervous about throwing a tank on top of this thing in my brand new house. i think i'm going to add 2 more vertical braces in the back plus one in the front to act as a style between the doors.
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