A Few Questions For A Newbie At Saltwater.

[basket440]

Hey guys I had a couple specific questions and I'm getting different answers from different websites so I thought I would seek help from actual people.
-First, can I add inverts with fish, I know there are some fish that eat them but generally is this ok to do?

-Second, how many fish can I add at one time and how long do I have to wait before adding more. I heard 1 or 2 at a time but if they are more hardy smaller fish (such as damsels or clowns) can I add more at one time?

-Third, I have a 55 gallon tank and have 40 lbs of live rock i was told this was ok but i have read I should have at least 1 lb per gallon. Is this true or because the rock and sand takes up space I don't need as much?

-Lastly I purchased 2 damsel fish after a week of having the aquarium (I was told they would help with the cycle) a yellow tail blue damsel and a Black-Tailed Dascyllus (or it is a 3 strip damsel I can't really tell) and the blue damsel is great! The other one though will just hide and he has only eaten once in 3 days he normally just hangs out in a cove and only came out once for food. Should I be worried or is this normal, I have read they are shy and need hiding places or they will be aggressive but i would like him to eat.

Thanks for reading this I know its a lot but I need help!

 

[basket440]

Just realized this is a fresh water site haha I'm an idiot!

 

[Tolak]

I'll move this to the saltwater section for you!

 

[lljdma06]

Hey guys I had a couple specific questions and I'm getting different answers from different websites so I thought I would seek help from actual people.
-First, can I add inverts with fish, I know there are some fish that eat them but generally is this ok to do?

It depends on the species of fish you want to add and how big your system is. You'd have to do some research and look up species that interest you. I recommend getting Marine Fishes by Scott W. Michael and Marine Invertebrates by Ronald L. Shimek if you can find this books. Also the simple guide to Mine-reef aquariums by Jeffrey Kurtz.

-Second, how many fish can I add at one time and how long do I have to wait before adding more. I heard 1 or 2 at a time but if they are more hardy smaller fish (such as damsels or clowns) can I add more at one time?

Again, depends on the circumstances. I wouldn't add more than one, unless you have very specific reason for adding more than one fish at a time. For example, I've got a biotope with chalk bass in the works. I want a shoal of chalk bass, but you can't build a school like you would a neon tetra school, or they'll be agressive. I have to add all 5 chalk bass at the same time. This means I have to get very young fish and be on top of my water conditions as it's a heavy bioload to add at once. Not recommended unless one is prepared. This is an extenuating circumstance.

-Third, I have a 55 gallon tank and have 40 lbs of live rock i was told this was ok but i have read I should have at least 1 lb per gallon. Is this true or because the rock and sand takes up space I don't need as much?

Depends on the weight and how much space the rock takes up. Do you know what kind of rock you added? Cured or uncured?

-Lastly I purchased 2 damsel fish after a week of having the aquarium (I was told they would help with the cycle) a yellow tail blue damsel and a Black-Tailed Dascyllus (or it is a 3 strip damsel I can't really tell) and the blue damsel is great! The other one though will just hide and he has only eaten once in 3 days he normally just hangs out in a cove and only came out once for food. Should I be worried or is this normal, I have read they are shy and need hiding places or they will be aggressive but i would like him to eat.

Can you take them back? They are not needed for the cycle if you are using LR as your filtration.

Thanks for reading this I know its a lot but I need help!

What equipment do you have for this system? What kind of system is this Fish with Live rock only or Fish and inverts, or a reef? What's your circulation? Some details on the setup would be great.

llj

 

[ALW]

Hey guys I had a couple specific questions and I'm getting different answers from different websites so I thought I would seek help from actual people.
-First, can I add inverts with fish, I know there are some fish that eat them but generally is this ok to do?

It depends on the species of fish you want to add and how big your system is. You'd have to do some research and look up species that interest you. I recommend getting Marine Fishes by Scott W. Michael and Marine Invertebrates by Ronald L. Shimek if you can find this books. Also the simple guide to Mine-reef aquariums by Jeffrey Kurtz.

I would also recommend buying "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Robert M. Fenner and if you want to have corals also buy "Aquarium Corals : Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History by Eric H. Borneman." They are both pricey but well worth it, as they are regarded as two of the best Marine books you can buy.