new to the hobby

[UpAcreekWithOutApaddle]

Hello,
So I started up my first salt water aquarium today its a 50g with a 10g refugium only running a 375gph return pump at the moment. I was not able to get any live rock but I was able to get a scoop or 2 of live sand from my LFS. Tho I'm using crushed coral I got off Craig's list cleaned most of it but still a dead fish or 2 floating hope this helps bacteria build up. Also a 96 watt think its t6 or 7 single socket 1\2 blue 1\2 white. I also have a small chamber that the water drains in to the refugium with bioballs in it just wondering what your thoughts were about it and my stock list I plan to get.

2 clown fish hoping 1 black and white and 1 false clown hoping maybe they mate

Was looking at a puffer don't know what one

6 cleaning shrimps

A few hermits

What fish would make a nose bed sifter for crushed coral?

I do plan on getting a bigger sump as I plan to have a mantis shrimp in it along with betting more rock I like my red 1 but have no clue what type it is

Id up loda photos but won't let me from my tablet.

 

[Joeganja]

clownfish + puffer = death.

 

[Joeganja]

puffer would eat the shrimp and clean up crew.
do you expect to have corals in the future?

 

[UpAcreekWithOutApaddle]

I do my wife wanted a tank like in finding memo but if the puffer is a bad choice that's ok. Yes I do plan on having some corals but would love to wait a few month for the tank to get established Before I get any coral. I only have 2 pieces of rock ATM 1 red a and 1 dry

 

[Joeganja]

I recommend getting a skimmer in your sump

 

[UpAcreekWithOutApaddle]

I have a skimmer it looks really cheep I got from Craig's list . its green in color don't have it hooked up yet figured sence no fish are in finding the tank y waist electricity

 

[UpAcreekWithOutApaddle]

Any suggestion on a fish that can sift the crushed coral

 

[Joeganja]

Sand sifting gobies

 

[UpAcreekWithOutApaddle]

They work with Cc tharemare some dicently big lives in tharennly reason I ask

 

[UpAcreekWithOutApaddle]

Sorry for the typos the m is next to the space bar on my tablet

 

[ycnibrc]

cleaner shrimp max is 3 more than that the dominant one will kill all the weak one until only1 or 2 left.

 

[scardall]

If you want corals and or zoa's. No Angels,triggers and if want small fish, No Groupers or lionfish. Always plan ahead. Easier said I know.
I have had to learn the hard way. Keep asking questions. Have fun

 

[UpAcreekWithOutApaddle]

Definitely no lion fish don't get me wrong they are a nice fish. So only 3 shrimp I can live with that. OK so after some looking online I found some fish let's see if they work.

1 red scooter blenny

Nitrate eliminateing pack from reefs2go

Black clown fish

2 banggia cardnals

2 long nose hawk fish

1 6 pack starter clean up crew with free shipping

1 oz live brine shrimp


1000 pods

And 1 green long tenticle anemone

All from reefs2go

Looking at $300 not including shipping and i still need like 50lb of rock thinking of getting most of it dry like 30lb or so rest live how's that sound?

 

[ycnibrc]

unless it's a pair or anthias or clown don't buy fish in 2 because they will fight until one win. Anthias and clown fish has the ability to do the Bruce Jenner sex change so they can be a pair.

 

[UpAcreekWithOutApaddle]

Ok will keep that in mind

 

[UpAcreekWithOutApaddle]

Also forgot to mention I plan on getting a manderan goby love the way it looks . should I get a dosing kit in the near future or wait till I upgrade to a bigger tank with will be like 9m or so maby a year plan on making a custom tank lxwxh 6x3x4. With the Bottom of the drain holes sitting 4' from the top each side and then return in the top center with a diy spray bar and make the 50g a refugum. Thinking of making the 10 a mech filter but dont know if it would bewould be after the refugum. Would like to eventually breed pods and shrimp will also house a mantis shrimp in it. So much I want to do but so much to learn.

 

[UpAcreekWithOutApaddle]

OK so I had a 50 gallon that I took apart just got finished resealing the whole thing just wating for it to cure and going to water test it if all is good it will replace my 10g refigium. I plan on only filling it up about 1\2 and have a 4-5 in Cc bead

 

[UpAcreekWithOutApaddle]

OK so iv had my other 50 gallon out sidenfiled with water for 3 days now and hasent leaked yet I guess that I did a good job sealing it. I will be bringing it inside tomorrow when I get a black stan so I can drain most the water in my display tank in it and move my display tank to the stand. Then I plan on using the extra 50g as a sump don't know the baffles will be set up yet any one have some good picks of a 50 g sump. About how much live/ dry rock will I need for the system to be quite indipendent. I know I need some black and white filter pads and some activated carbon. Do u think I will need any thing else. Oh and the crushed coral/dry rock I got is starting to turn brown

 

[UpAcreekWithOutApaddle]

Just tested my water pH is at 8.4 nitrate is .05 the rest did not show up on tests I have the api salt water master kit will be getting the reef master kit later on.

 

[UpAcreekWithOutApaddle]

Hello everyone

I figured it was time for a update on what I have done so far I was able to move up to the 50 gallon tank. Ones side has a 5 in deep coral bed with bubble algie in it I forced my self to get the algie today beacuse of the major brown algie out break I have. I made a diy skimmer last night looks like it working quite nicely but need to make a fatter one . My hob over flow was so loud I took a pickle jar and set it in the sump so the water drains in it. I tell u it is the best thing I did to the tank sence it was set up. The other sections have my return rated at 400 something gph and my drain. I still need more love rock tho how much love rock is to much hehehe. I currently have 6 hermets and 1 snail cleaning up. Speaking of hermets any one know whare to get some salt water safe panted shells?