The Big Switch

[firefish10]

Hey guys, I feel i have pretty much conquered the fresh water fish world, im 16 and have about 2 more years of freedom till the real world, so I need a new project . . . SALT WATER. So heres the deal i payed my brother 100 dollars for his 65 gallon tank, its a fresh water with some fish that ill have to beg the lfs to take, my fish would tear them up, and my bichir would probably eat quite a few. So he has a Marineland Emperor 400 power filter, a stealth 250 heater, should be more than enough right? And the light, its a 36" Coralife with an actinic and regular bulb, which as far as i can tell is one of the most important parts . . . right? So probably tomorrow im gonna try and bag up them fish and get rid of them then rip the tank apart and clean it all up. BTW its a standard 65 gallon. I would like to create a peaceful reef tank. I know i need atleast one power head if you all could suggest one that would be great. Some fish and inverts im intrested in are, of course at least one clownfish, can a black and regular ocelarus mix? firefish, exquisite wrasse, bicolor blenny, black combtooth blenny,green mandarin,porcalien crab,banded coral shrimp, midas blenny, watchman goby, pistol shrimp,citrinis clown goby, royal gramma. As for corals, theyre several types and species i like if you all could just suggest a tank filled with as many fish, inverts, and corals as possible that would be fantastic. Also, any other beginner advice would be very helpful, I appologize for the long read, but promise a great journal to make up for it.

 

[SkiFletch]

to the salty side of the hobby. I'd suggest reading through the stickies atop this section. And if you want some ideas, feel free to peruse my own journal as I happen to have a 65g tank myself

One word of caution, Mandarin's don't really belong in a tank like a 65g. tank's too small, and will rarely be able to support enough pod life to keep a mandarin well fed

 

[firefish10]

to the salty side of the hobby. I'd suggest reading through the stickies atop this section. And if you want some ideas, feel free to peruse my own journal as I happen to have a 65g tank myself

One word of caution, Mandarin's don't really belong in a tank like a 65g. tank's too small, and will rarely be able to support enough pod life to keep a mandarin well fed

ah i see, ok, just out of curiosity is that all they can eat?

 

[xxBarneyxx]

yep pretty much. You occasionally will find one that eats frozen food but still needs a good pod population to keep it going.

 

[firefish10]

What about fish and inverts? what would you have? corals, which kind ?

 

[SkiFletch]

Well I'm a big fan of fairy and flasher wrasses and firefish . As for corals, I'm personally a fan of LPS but you can go about any way you want with that tank.