Newbie-Please Help

[davis7716]

Hi everyone!! I just bought, on an impulse, a 55 gallon tank. I've wanted a saltwater aquarium for some time now so I'm working on it now. I've got it all set up and it's been running for about 4 days now. The readings on the hydrometer are between 1.024 and 1.025 is that too high. And my water seems slightly cloudy. Can i begin to put in fish? I'm just going to start with damsels. Also I want to do live rock but how do I set it up and put in coral and all that other stuff. Please any info will help. I just want to know what my next step is. Thanks. :D[/u]

[jerryc]

No fish yet let thinks settle for a few weeks you need the live rock before the fish.
Get some test kits so you no wear your water is at Ammonia, nitrite,nitrate, kits
to start.
As for coral you will need good lighting and good water for a start and get
some good books on coral and fish.

[jerryc]

also if you just start reading all the post hear you will learn a lot

[carpenterwrasse]

welcome aboard and remember that patiance is the best thing for all things that bloom

[graphixx]

DAVIS!!!

First of all welcome abord!! First thing I would do is slow down. That is the #1 factor that will make or break a successfull tank. first off what sort of filtration, lighting, are you using, type of gravel.
This is a very crucial period for your tank. your conditioning the tank. You have some pretty dynamic things going on in your tank right now. You are growing bacteria in the sand bed that will help maintain a healthy tnak in the future. You are a few weeks out before adding any live stock.
If you could give us some more info the equipment your using that would be great

[KG]

Davis, I'd agree with the others that you should slow down a little and research some more before you get too far along. As far as fish, I'd not use them to cycle your tank. Instead you can use a frozen cocktail shrimp or just a few drops of unscented ammonia and then go ahead and set up a QT in the meantime. Below is a link that you will find very informative. Good luck!

KG

http://www.petsforum.com/personal/trevor-jones/hyposalinityeffects.html

[Sweetpea]

Welcome! Ditto on everyone else's advice - take it slow. It will pay off in the long run, and you will be the keeper of healthy and happy creatures! Try getting a copy of "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" by Robert Fenner. It's a great resource for newbies, giving info on everything from set-up and maintenance to the care and keeping of the most popular species. This is a great forum to be on - lots of kind, helpful folks here! Reading some of the past posts will help you out a lot, too... you can search for specific things you have questions about and read what everyone had to say on that topic... a pretty handy feature! :)

[davis7716]

Thanks a lot guys!! Everyone's advice is greatly appreciate. I bought an AquaClear Power Filter, for 40-70 Gallon Aquariums- filters 300gph and a filter also came with my tank-AquaTech 30-60 power filter. I have live sand. And lighting also came with my tank-fluorescent full light hoods. Oh yeah, I also have one piece of 5lb live rock.

[flame]

Welcome aboard glad you joined us.

IMO
You need a good Protein Skimmer, and if you are going to keep coral you will need to upgrade your lighting. If you know what kind of coral you would like to keep then the folks here can suggest lighting options. The only other thing I can suggest is research every move you make before doing it. The biggest mistake made by newbe is impulse buying and failure to research. The time you spend researching will pay back 10 fold. Here at CR you have access to a lot of post with great information. If you do not find an answer there then post a question and/or drop into chat and ask your questions there. We are here to help each other.

Best of luck with the addiction

[Dirt4dinner]

Davis. Learn from my mistakes!! First get some literature. I recommend "The New Marine Aquarium" by Michael S. Paletta. Second, read my blog, read other people's blogs, read other books, ask questions, ask more questions. Wait wait wait.

Here is a link to my blog. I started my 80 gal. in November.

http://www.captivereefing.com/weblog.php?w=36

Stop into the chat room too for quick questions. There is usually someone hanging out in there. -DIRT

[graphixx]

I could not agree more with dirt!!!! Just take your time and enjoy this hobby.

I would do a few things right now in the game:
I would get move live rock at least another 30-40 lbs at least. this dramatically helps filter the water.
I would invest in a protein skimmer like flame said. your powerfilter just do not remove as much as is needed.
I would start researching what you want to keep the reason for this is that your very very limited on the stock you can keep with your lights.
start researching lighting also. there are some AMAZING people in here that know tons of info on lighting.

and just take your time and research. This place will be your best friend for the next 3 to 4 months while your cycling your tank. dont be afraid to ask questions. We are here to help you every step of the way

[graphixx]

I could not agree more with dirt!!!! Just take your time and enjoy this hobby.

I would do a few things right now in the game:
I would get move live rock at least another 30-40 lbs at least. this dramatically helps filter the water.
I would invest in a protein skimmer like flame said. your powerfilter just do not remove as much as is needed.
I would start researching what you want to keep the reason for this is that your very very limited on the stock you can keep with your lights.
start researching lighting also. there are some AMAZING people in here that know tons of info on lighting.

and just take your time and research. This place will be your best friend for the next 3 to 4 months while your cycling your tank. dont be afraid to ask questions. We are here to help you every step of the way

[graphixx]

I could not agree more with dirt!!!! Just take your time and enjoy this hobby.

I would do a few things right now in the game:
I would get move live rock at least another 30-40 lbs at least. this dramatically helps filter the water.
I would invest in a protein skimmer like flame said. your powerfilter just do not remove as much as is needed.
I would start researching what you want to keep the reason for this is that your very very limited on the stock you can keep with your lights.
start researching lighting also. there are some AMAZING people in here that know tons of info on lighting.

and just take your time and research. This place will be your best friend for the next 3 to 4 months while your cycling your tank. dont be afraid to ask questions. We are here to help you every step of the way