NooB starting first tank

platinumck · 01/22/2009, 07:42 PM

Hi to all,

I am new to the world of Saltwater aquariums and need some pointers. I have kept freshwater tanks for years with success and very very few causalties. I would like to do the same with salt. So any help would be great and appreciated.

I recently started a 75g. I filled the entire tank with RO and added salt and let it circulate and warm up over a 24 hour time frame. Then I added about 80lbs of live sand and 40lbs of cured live rock. I have had this tank cycling for about a week now. I have a 20g long underneather with a 600gph sump circulating the water.

Plans in the next few weeks are as follows:
-complete a 10 gallon water change once a week
-add another 50-60lbs of live rock putting about 10-20lbs in the 20 gallon long underneath
-install a protien skimmer
-install a power compact with 2 white tubes and 2 blue tubes

If anyone see anything I am doing wrong or have some better suggestions please let me know. I have a few questions though

How many pounds of live rock should I keep in this tank?
How many fish should will i be able to keep in the tank?
I would like to put in a lion, a porcupine puffer and possibly a trigger or 2. Would these be good fish to keep together or not so much? I know they can get big but I plan on transfering them into a larger tank in the next year.

If i did keep these fish would I possibly be able to put some tangs, angels or clowns in with them?

Any other suggestions please let me know.

I though about creating a reef tank but I dont feel confident with just yet.

dlaclo · 01/22/2009, 07:46 PM

in my oppinon it is poinless to do the water changes while the tank is cycling (could take 4 to 8 weeks for cycle) after about 3 weeks start monitering the water paramiters... i alwase recomen about 1 and 1/2 lds of rock per gal of water but some people do diferent.... as for the fish i am not sure but i will do some researching for you. hope this helps some and gool luck... oh yeah it would be great to see some pics if you could and happy reefing

tims28gnano · 01/22/2009, 07:57 PM

To Reef Central

they are going to tell you to have your tank set up to be reef ready incase you do decide to start reefing.

anyway - - - - just read read read here and ask quesitons

good luck!

MileHighFish · 01/22/2009, 08:09 PM

Research protein skimmers and buy the biggest and best one you can afford with the type of fish your planning on keeping eat a lot and in return produce a lot of waste.. Dont forget to buy lots of power heads to keep detritus moving. I personally only have about 75 LBS of rock and my system has about 140 gals of water. I have two tangs a couple of clowns, wrasse, a blenny and a goby and my tank is solid and holds zero nitrates. I do feel that it is extremely important to not build a "rock wall" center stack rock and use PVC rounds to keep rock from sitting on the bottom. Use plenty of power heads to keep detritus from accumulating. Good luck

01/22/2009, 07:42 PM	#1
platinumck Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Findlay,Ohio Posts: 55	NooB starting first tank Hi to all, I am new to the world of Saltwater aquariums and need some pointers. I have kept freshwater tanks for years with success and very very few causalties. I would like to do the same with salt. So any help would be great and appreciated. I recently started a 75g. I filled the entire tank with RO and added salt and let it circulate and warm up over a 24 hour time frame. Then I added about 80lbs of live sand and 40lbs of cured live rock. I have had this tank cycling for about a week now. I have a 20g long underneather with a 600gph sump circulating the water. Plans in the next few weeks are as follows: -complete a 10 gallon water change once a week -add another 50-60lbs of live rock putting about 10-20lbs in the 20 gallon long underneath -install a protien skimmer -install a power compact with 2 white tubes and 2 blue tubes If anyone see anything I am doing wrong or have some better suggestions please let me know. I have a few questions though How many pounds of live rock should I keep in this tank? How many fish should will i be able to keep in the tank? I would like to put in a lion, a porcupine puffer and possibly a trigger or 2. Would these be good fish to keep together or not so much? I know they can get big but I plan on transfering them into a larger tank in the next year. If i did keep these fish would I possibly be able to put some tangs, angels or clowns in with them? Any other suggestions please let me know. I though about creating a reef tank but I dont feel confident with just yet.

01/22/2009, 08:09 PM	#4
MileHighFish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NM. Posts: 1,722	Research protein skimmers and buy the biggest and best one you can afford with the type of fish your planning on keeping eat a lot and in return produce a lot of waste.. Dont forget to buy lots of power heads to keep detritus moving. I personally only have about 75 LBS of rock and my system has about 140 gals of water. I have two tangs a couple of clowns, wrasse, a blenny and a goby and my tank is solid and holds zero nitrates. I do feel that it is extremely important to not build a "rock wall" center stack rock and use PVC rounds to keep rock from sitting on the bottom. Use plenty of power heads to keep detritus from accumulating. Good luck __________________ See "Red House" for pics!! I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask them where they're goin', and hook up with them later. Mitch Hedberg Current Tank Info: Reef tank, 100 gal Lee Mar polished.. 60 sump.. 800 watts mh 20k radium..Ran on "Taiwan HQI Ballast" 330 watt VHO.. 48 watt compacts (dawn/dusk).. sps/lps tank..

01/22/2009, 07:46 PM	#2
dlaclo Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: knoxville Posts: 30	in my oppinon it is poinless to do the water changes while the tank is cycling (could take 4 to 8 weeks for cycle) after about 3 weeks start monitering the water paramiters... i alwase recomen about 1 and 1/2 lds of rock per gal of water but some people do diferent.... as for the fish i am not sure but i will do some researching for you. hope this helps some and gool luck... oh yeah it would be great to see some pics if you could and happy reefing

01/22/2009, 07:57 PM	#3
tims28gnano Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Jones Beach Posts: 343	*To Reef Central* they are going to tell you to have your tank set up to be reef ready incase you do decide to start reefing. anyway - - - - just read read read here and ask quesitons good luck!