New to the salt water world

derrick110183 · 03/26/2016, 03:22 PM

First off hello all this is my first post here. I have been keeping fresh water fish for a couple years now and want to step Into the salt water world. My plan is to start with a 55g or so. I plans to have it a reef tank with as many fish as possible for the size. Here is what I am wondering. How many fish in a 55g I am looking at medium sized fish like tangs and the more popular ones not really sure about names. Also I was wondering if corals count towards the population. I also want to say I hate hearing the whole X amount of inches per gallon like in fresh water cause if you went by the 1 inch per gallon rule id be able to put 7, 8 inch oscars in. 60 gallon tank and that makes no sense at all. Any way, what kind of medium sized fish are good for beginners? the more suggestion the better. Also what are some good beginner corals. Thank you all for the help here I am really excited to get this underway. If you require anymore info please ask

thegrun · 03/26/2016, 04:00 PM

To keep tangs you will need at least a 75 gallon tank, and even with a 75 you will be limited to only one or two species. The same with dwarf Angels, 75 gallons. There really isn't a good inches per gallon rule with saltwater fish, there are huge differences between species and their requirements. Corals do not add to your bio load but they do have specific lighting and water quality requirements.
Check out Live Aquaria for specific fish requirements.

anthonys51 · 03/26/2016, 06:34 PM

your question is really to vague. 55 is a decent size tank and you pack that with corals (will need right lights and maybe supplements) and add a nice amount of fish, but unlike freshwater fish, saltwater fish arent as forgiving when it comes to water quality.

now is it possible to add 10 smaller fish to the tank, sure it might be. might be even to add 20. but once again there are so many questions you left unanswered about your set up its hard to tell you what you can or cant do

christopher.513 · 03/26/2016, 07:49 PM

Welcome Derrick

derrick110183 · 03/27/2016, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthonys51

your question is really to vague. 55 is a decent size tank and you pack that with corals (will need right lights and maybe supplements) and add a nice amount of fish, but unlike freshwater fish, saltwater fish arent as forgiving when it comes to water quality.

now is it possible to add 10 smaller fish to the tank, sure it might be. might be even to add 20. but once again there are so many questions you left unanswered about your set up its hard to tell you what you can or cant do

Thanks for the reply what information would you like I'll do my best to give it. I don't even have the tank yet I am just starting to plan it out and I thought a 55 would be a good start. When it comes to water quality even with fresh water I am pretty diligent about it.

anthonys51 · 03/27/2016, 01:47 PM

What is your budget. Do you plan to do a reef or a fowlor Make sure you get a reef ready tank. Its less work and easier to have a sump where you can keep protein skinner

MMacro · 03/27/2016, 01:49 PM

You will quickly find that the 55 gallon tank is extremely narrow. I would look into a 75 gallon if you have the extra space.

Taahirs · 03/27/2016, 01:56 PM

No tangs in a 55g. Just cruel Imo. Many smaller species van work though, gobies, Jawfish, royal gramma, clownfish etc

derrick110183 · 03/27/2016, 02:03 PM

I am hoping to do a reef, and thanks reeferplax I will in fact look into a 75 or possibly a 90 to get so depth what are those sizes like for tangs?

Laredotx1987 · 03/29/2016, 07:58 AM

remember that for tangs they need room for swimming plus they grow big so probably get you one small tang, also keep in mind the more fish you add the more waste they will produce. now that i said that make sure to get a good size protein skimmer to help with that. Research the fish yo want and make sure you know what type of fish you can put together.

03/26/2016, 03:22 PM	#1
derrick110183 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 3	New to the salt water world First off hello all this is my first post here. I have been keeping fresh water fish for a couple years now and want to step Into the salt water world. My plan is to start with a 55g or so. I plans to have it a reef tank with as many fish as possible for the size. Here is what I am wondering. How many fish in a 55g I am looking at medium sized fish like tangs and the more popular ones not really sure about names. Also I was wondering if corals count towards the population. I also want to say I hate hearing the whole X amount of inches per gallon like in fresh water cause if you went by the 1 inch per gallon rule id be able to put 7, 8 inch oscars in. 60 gallon tank and that makes no sense at all. Any way, what kind of medium sized fish are good for beginners? the more suggestion the better. Also what are some good beginner corals. Thank you all for the help here I am really excited to get this underway. If you require anymore info please ask

03/27/2016, 01:49 PM	#7
MMacro Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,442	You will quickly find that the 55 gallon tank is extremely narrow. I would look into a 75 gallon if you have the extra space. __________________ 155 Mixed Reef (48x31x24)

03/26/2016, 04:00 PM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	To keep tangs you will need at least a 75 gallon tank, and even with a 75 you will be limited to only one or two species. The same with dwarf Angels, 75 gallons. There really isn't a good inches per gallon rule with saltwater fish, there are huge differences between species and their requirements. Corals do not add to your bio load but they do have specific lighting and water quality requirements. Check out Live Aquaria for specific fish requirements.

03/26/2016, 06:34 PM	#3
anthonys51 Registered Member. Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Kings Park, NY Posts: 2,789	your question is really to vague. 55 is a decent size tank and you pack that with corals (will need right lights and maybe supplements) and add a nice amount of fish, but unlike freshwater fish, saltwater fish arent as forgiving when it comes to water quality. now is it possible to add 10 smaller fish to the tank, sure it might be. might be even to add 20. but once again there are so many questions you left unanswered about your set up its hard to tell you what you can or cant do

03/26/2016, 07:49 PM	#4
christopher.513 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 17	Welcome Derrick

03/27/2016, 01:47 PM	#6
anthonys51 Registered Member. Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Kings Park, NY Posts: 2,789	What is your budget. Do you plan to do a reef or a fowlor Make sure you get a reef ready tank. Its less work and easier to have a sump where you can keep protein skinner

03/27/2016, 01:56 PM	#8
Taahirs Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 376	No tangs in a 55g. Just cruel Imo. Many smaller species van work though, gobies, Jawfish, royal gramma, clownfish etc

03/27/2016, 02:03 PM	#9
derrick110183 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 3	I am hoping to do a reef, and thanks reeferplax I will in fact look into a 75 or possibly a 90 to get so depth what are those sizes like for tangs?

03/29/2016, 07:58 AM	#10
Laredotx1987 Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Laredo Tx Posts: 54	remember that for tangs they need room for swimming plus they grow big so probably get you one small tang, also keep in mind the more fish you add the more waste they will produce. now that i said that make sure to get a good size protein skimmer to help with that. Research the fish yo want and make sure you know what type of fish you can put together.