New with a tank handed down. Please help

[BellaCoop]

I am getting this tank handed down to me by odd occurrences. I really want to do it right and make it into a well rounded tank. It is a 40 Gallon with a Clown Fish, Yellow Tang and a shrimp. It has every part it needs to run but I just need advice on what other Fish I should add and Plants i should put in.

Please let me know. Below is a picture of my



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[Tahoe61]

Welcome to R2R.

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https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

If keeping a tank is completely new to you, one of the most important components is the biological filter/aka beneficial bacteria. You want to try to preserve some of that biological filter to avoid an ammonia spike.

 

[Oldreefer44]

First question is: How much experience do you have with marine aquarium keeping? If the answer is very little or none, I would suggest a lot of reading on this site, wet web etc. Also by authors such as Sprung, Calfo , Palletta, Fenner and Michael. Second question would be as to what type of Clown, Tang (40g is probably way to small for a tang) and shrimp you have. Next would be what other equipment you have such as skimmer, lighting, etc. And last but not least, what are your water test results? Lastly: patience, patience patience!

 

[BellaCoop]

I have been reading up on everything a lot. I got more pictures of it again today. I don’t have the brand of the over flow and skimmer yet. But the canister is a Aquatop CF500-UV. Here are more up to date pictures of what it currently looks like.
I know I am low on information about the tank currently. I will be getting it to my house Saturday. Any information is incredibly helpful!

 

[mjlash22]

Couple observations/notes. That looks like a whole ton of aiptasia, which tells me the person you are obtaining this tank from either let it go (gave up on the hobby) or never addressed the issue to begin with. Second, ditch the canister filter! Canister filters are fine for fresh water tanks, but are more harmful than good in saltwater setups.

I would research aiptasia so you can start planning an attack to remove it. I have a feeling this tank is going to require a bit of maintenance to get back to healthy.

In regards to adding more livestock...I would hold off.

 

[BellaCoop]

I

 

[BellaCoop]

I would research aiptasia so you can start planning an attack to remove it. I have a feeling this tank is going to require a bit of maintenance to get back to healthy.

In regards to adding more livestock...I would hold off.[/QUOTE]

Thank you for your advice! I’m going to end up going with a 48 gallon with a sump.

 

[BellaCoop]

I am deciding between getting some T5 lights or spending the extra on some AI Hydra prime HD LED. What are some options on that. Iv been less torts the HD LED.

 

[mjlash22]

The Hydra Prime's are very good lights. I went from T5 setup on my first tank, to LED on my last 2 tanks. I like the LED and ease of control over the T5, but you are starting to see a lot of people combine both the T5 and LED. T5's seem to have a better actinic scale, which especially helps when you have corals. Or at least helps show them off better IMO.