Looking into buying a Saltwater Tank. Need Help

[billa_bong]

Hey guys. I have been keeping fish for a couple years. Tropical freshwater though.

Currently I have a 30 gallon, before i Had a 55 gallon which I sold because i didn't have the time to take care of it. with summer coming i need a hobby and now can set up and tank and cycle it and everything

I want to upgrade my tank and switch to saltwater.

I am looking to get a 50-60 gallon tank, I want it to be a community tank with a lot of fish, I mean A LOT of fish. A lot of peaceful fish!!!

So mainly I would like to know where to start, what I should be looking at, how much it should cost (local fish store has a 50 gallon tank set up with filtration/stand/tank salt water start up supplies for 600 bucks)

I would also like what you guy's would think would make a exciting and active tank, I mean I do want a lot of fish. A lot of clown fish and such.

And also what types of fish mix well together, Like are Tangs very mean and things like that.

I mean I want my tank to be way tight, I don't a want anything boring.

Thanks guy and hope for your help !!

 

[chkltcow]

If you want a LOT of fish.... and you want peaceful fish.... you're stuck with freshwater.

In my 55g sw tank, I have 2 clowns, 2 watchman gobies, a royal gramma, a six line wrasse, and I'm getting a firefish..... and it will be fully stocked, as far as I'm concerned. On top of that, all of those guys are at least semi-aggressive. The gramma doesn't like anybody else eating before her, the clowns chased each other for 2 weeks before they finally established dominance and paired up, and the gobies are more than willing to defend their territory if something looks to be getting too close. The wrasse.... well his mouth just isn't big enough for him to look defensive... so he just leaves the scene

And don't even THINK about a tang in a tank like that. Tangs need at least a 75-100g tank to be comfortable. Any less than that and they get stressed, get ich, and die. Oh, and yes, they are fairly mean. They might be herbivores, but the reason they're called surgeon fish is because they have this sharp little "knife" at the base of their tail... and they know how to use it.

So, basically.... if you want a tank with a lot of fish in it, you're either relegated to freshwater community, or you need a tank like this guy has.

 

[parker313]

I agree...

Read all of the topics pinned to the top of this forum, including the one on Saltwater Stocking and you'll get a better idea of the possibilities for your tank.

 

[ecto1]

So, basically.... if you want a tank with a lot of fish in it, you're either relegated to freshwater community, or you need a tank like this guy has

I saw someone on another (not quite as awesome) forum who had a 4000 US gallon aquarium!!! He built a seperate room on his house in which to keep the tank. He eventually had to get rid of it because the humidity it generated was turning his whole house to mold.

 

[GoldDatnoidesRoc]

if you wanted to get into marine, there is ALOT more to the tank then just fish. You may want to go with more of a reef and coral tank, there are many crabs to choose from, shrimps, oysters, etc. If want to get a really populated tank i would advise for a reef tank, which house's very few fish.

 

[billa_bong]

Well, I understand, I don't want like 100 fish in the tank, just like a good amount to have activity and really so I don't have just 1 huge fish.


Also I have read that it is easier to take care of larger tanks, can some explain why because it always seems the bigger than tank for me, the more work and more attention it needs, at least in freshwater.

Can someone explain how it works.

Also, today or tomorrow I am going to the larger fish store ( has more tanks ) and looking at what that guy has. I might wait a little longer, save a little more money and buy a bigger tank.


What would you guys recommend for a person just getting in saltwater tanks. I really want a good amount of fish that will provide an exciting tank, but I don't want like 40 fish.

Like maybe a couple of different species clowns, a couple of anenomes. What would you recommend that would go well with those fish?

Thanks,

Tim

 

[chkltcow]

Don't get an anemone. They're far more trouble than they're worth.

 

[billa_bong]

Don't get an anemone. They're far more trouble than they're worth.

kk.

Do you have aim???

 

[Chac]

Hi Bill

1st thing NO ANEMONE IN THE 1ST YEAR AT LEAST (IMO)

Clown's dont really need one anyway

Larger systems are easier to maintain simply due to the overall water volume,it is better is a water problem as diluted over say 100g rather than 20g, tmeperature control, Evaperation etc. are all easier to maintain in a large system

That isnt to say a small system aint completly out the window, it just means you need to keep on top of the maintanence

IMO some very important advice is

RO WATER ONLY
Best Skimmer you can Afford (Do not skimp of this)
Reading before buying any livestock
Ask as many questions as you can think of (Even the stupid one's, they usally get the best answers)
Patience
And dont go for the only 1 more fish wont hurt rule

Also I would ask the boards thoughts on certain equipment before buying as you will only get honest reviews (None of us are trying to sell you a product)

Also have a look at this site for stocking densitys of tanks.

http/www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/tools.php

Also remember just because 2 fish are from family doesnt mean they will be compatable (ie Tangs, Angels, Clowns etc)

Del

 

[billa_bong]

Hi Bill

1st thing NO ANEMONE IN THE 1ST YEAR AT LEAST (IMO)

Clown's dont really need one anyway

Larger systems are easier to maintain simply due to the overall water volume,it is better is a water problem as diluted over say 100g rather than 20g, tmeperature control, Evaperation etc. are all easier to maintain in a large system

That isnt to say a small system aint completly out the window, it just means you need to keep on top of the maintanence

IMO some very important advice is

RO WATER ONLY
Best Skimmer you can Afford (Do not skimp of this)
Reading before buying any livestock
Ask as many questions as you can think of (Even the stupid one's, they usally get the best answers)
Patience
And dont go for the only 1 more fish wont hurt rule

Also I would ask the boards thoughts on certain equipment before buying as you will only get honest reviews (None of us are trying to sell you a product)

Also have a look at this site for stocking densitys of tanks.

http/www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/tools.php

Also remember just because 2 fish are from family doesnt mean they will be compatable (ie Tangs, Angels, Clowns etc)

Del

Thanks! This really helped Del.

I will take this in, research. I might head over to Borders and buy a book to read up on all this.

Once I looke at fish tanks more, decide upon a size I would like. I will come back with more questions.

Also, what fish are good starter fish that are hardy yet cool to look at?

 

[billa_bong]

And don't even THINK about a tang in a tank like that. Tangs need at least a 75-100g tank to be comfortable. Any less than that and they get stressed, get ich, and die. Oh, and yes, they are fairly mean. They might be herbivores, but the reason they're called surgeon fish is because they have this sharp little "knife" at the base of their tail... and they know how to use it.

So if I got like lets say a 75 gallon, could I only have 1 tang? Or could I have like a bunch of them and some other fish???

 

[Chac]

IMO 1 Tang only in a 75g and a mix of other fish

Have a look at this site for begginer fish


http/www.liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?pCatId=1926

 

[billa_bong]

IMO 1 Tang only in a 75g and a mix of other fish

Have a look at this site for begginer fish


http/www.liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?pCatId=1926

What kind of other fish would you have with the tang???

 

[Chac]

Hi Billa

Tangs can sometimes be bullies, but there are ways to stop this, ie Mirrors, reaquascaping, time of introduction to tank

But generally they will get along with most other fish, a lot also depends on the (**)personality of the fish that you buy, but IMO I would add the Tang either last or later in the stocking stages.

eg. ** Some Peeps say the Flame Angels are really bad at nipping Soft Corals, where as mine never looks at them

Hope this helps

Del

 

[Navarre]

I dont recomend tangs for anything under 100 gallons (well perhaps a yellow eye but thats all).

When i say 100 gallons i mean 100 IMperials galons not US gallons. Many people see 75gallons as a starter size and they think "hey ! i have 75 gallons (US gallons) so i can fit a tang in that!" Sadly a 75 US gallon tank is closer to 65 Imperials gallons and this is way way off the mark for a tang.

100 UK gallons (120 ish US gallons)


Yes they are very aggressive to any fish that they percieve to be a threat to them.. I recently added a blue face angel.. it wasnt the same shape, size or colour as my Achilles tang yet the achilles ripped a 2 inch cut into its flank and exposed its internal organs. Thankfully the blueface hid awy and has recoved.. sadly the achilles got so stressed at seeing the blue face 4 or 5 times per ady it wouldnt eat and died yesterday If you want bold colouration and active swimming then get a dwarf angel or maybe a small growing larger angel. I really dont advise tangs unless you add them last and are prepared for the problems that comes with them.