BRAND NEW TO THIS!

clk666 · #1 05-15-2011, 12:40 AM

needing some advice on a first saltwater fish. i just got the tank and am gong to be putting in some live rock and cycling it soon. any advice would be very helpfull!!! i was hoping to either get a nemo clown fish or some sea horses!!??? am i shooting for the stars or does that sound easy enough to start out on in a month or so. its a 30 gallon tank.

WuHT · #2 05-15-2011, 01:10 AM

yep its going to take a while to cycle so you can read up during the waiting period

Sea Witch · #3 05-15-2011, 02:20 AM

clk666, hello. Welcome.

I'm sure lots of more experienced people will weigh in here, but first I'd say, slow down. First, your live rock will have to be "cured". Is it pre-cured? If not you have to cure it. If it's pre-cured, you'll still have to wait a bit before you're ready for fish. At the bottom of this page, there's a Reference Library. Start clicking and reading.

People need to know more about you in order to answer your question. How big is your tank? Do you have a sump? How big is the sump? Have you ever kept fish before? Freshwater? So post, some more info, and it will be easier to help you.

And last, if it's a first saltwater tank, I'd forget about the seahorses. They require very good and very stable conditions, and usually need to be by themselves...............

I hope this helps,

Edmonton newbie · #4 05-15-2011, 02:22 AM

wow sea witch for a newbie your very much on the right track good advise

Sea Witch · #5 05-15-2011, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edmonton newbie

wow sea witch for a newbie your very much on the right track good advise

Thanks Edmonton newbie. I figure if I'm going to ask a lot of questions it's my duty to help others where I can. I want to have a good understanding of what I'm doing in the reefworld *before* I do it.....but that's just me.

Jewel · #6 05-15-2011, 02:54 AM

Think again if you think Seahorses, their enviroment is not really what you may think, slower flow not strong lighting,tank mates must be slow eaters just like themselves and there are a full host of problems that can arise. Are you prepered to feed them by hand. Clown fish or Nemos as you say are a lot easier to care for but before you stock your tank, make sure its ready Have fun

clk666 · #7 05-15-2011, 05:12 AM

okay so the live rock that im getting has been in a tank with clowns and blue damsels for about 5 years now so im hoping it would be safe to put in my tank, and no sump and no power head yet unless i was planning n getting a fish that needed one its also a 30 gallon tank with one like hang on the side filter right now but if needed i could get a different one. but i was told by many people seahorses do not like/require a powerhead so i thought i may start with them. i also know i have to wait to get any fish or anything but was just hoping to get advice, and i do have time to feed the sea horses but still for a first time tank...... not a good iidea?

Sea Witch · #8 05-15-2011, 05:18 AM

clk666 it's possible. It could be done, but it would be difficult for you to start with seahorses. Seahorses need something to hang on to, so you're either going to have to have some kind of macro algae or plastic plants. Wouldn't you rather start with something easier? Where you have a lot higher chance of success?

clk666 · #9 05-15-2011, 03:32 PM

alright well maybe i guess i should start with something a bit easier haha dont really wanna kill everything on my first try. so, what all would i need for equipment for a nemo clown?

Sea Witch · #10 05-15-2011, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clk666

alright well ......what all would i need for equipment for a nemo clown?

Depends on who you ask.

here's a pretty good article about it.

Have you ever kept freshwater fish before?

Did the tank come with anything?

You need:

1. reverse osmosis (RO) water. You can buy it or you can buy a unit that makes it out of tap water.
2. salt mix
3. some kind of filter, probably a little hang-on-the-back (HOB) skimmer.
4. some live rock (LR)
5. some substrate like aragonite sand (or some people keep a bare bottom tank)
6. lights (did the tank come with lights?)
7. thermometer, hydrometer, heater, test kits for testing various things.
8. fish food and some basic medicine.
9. a few new clean plastic buckets.
10. a sturdy stand to hold the tank. It will weigh 250-300 pounds.
11. maybe an extra pump or powerhead to move the water around in the tank.

Am I forgetting anything folks?