Setting up new saltwater fish only

Eric H · Feb 3, 2020

So, I’m setting up a new 55 gallon saltwater aquarium for fish, not corals or reef. I had no idea of all the cost involved, but now I do. I built my own stand and got a good deal on the aquarium at Petco. I live in Arizona so the water is terrible, had to buy a RODI system which I set up in my laundry room. I’ll be putting live sand and life rock to start out. I was told that I did not need a heater as these tropical fish are used to colder water. Is that true? I know I need to keep the temperature Between 76 and 82°F. Can this be done without a heater? Another question I have, how long should I let my tank cycle with the live sand before introducing fish? Any other helpful comments Would be appreciated. Eric

Crabs McJones · Feb 3, 2020

Welcome to R2R!
I would still get a heater just incase. Keep temps around 78°
Your cycle will depend on your tank. There is no amount of set time for a tank to cycle as their all different

Peace River · Feb 3, 2020

Welcome to R2R!!! We’re glad you’re here!

DMG Reef · Feb 3, 2020

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

dbl · Feb 3, 2020

Welcome to R2R and to the family.

albano · Feb 3, 2020

Welcome... plenty of people start with fish only... you’ll be looking at corals before long!

KJ · Feb 3, 2020

Welcome to R2R!!!

Auquanut · Feb 3, 2020

Welcome Eric! I would run a heater to maintain a fairly constant temp. There are some very good threads available for cycling a new aquarium. Better to take things slower than necessary than to rush.

Anyway, glad to have you with us!

The Aquatic Arsenal · Feb 3, 2020

Redfoxtang · Feb 3, 2020

Welcome to R2R!!! Glad you could join us!!

Ippyroy · Feb 3, 2020

Welcome to R2R!

fishguy242 · Feb 3, 2020

welcome came to the rt place going to love it

Ruben's Reef · Feb 3, 2020

!!! Welcome to R2R !!!

lapin · Feb 3, 2020

Howdy

The life rock and live sand will take from 2 weeks to 2 months to grow enough bactera to suport having fish. I would purchase a heater. Better to spend a little more money than to have dead fish.

rodney · Feb 3, 2020

Welcome to R2R!

fuelman · Feb 3, 2020

Welcome to R2R!!!

Scrubber_steve · Feb 3, 2020

Welcome to R2R @Eric H

It’s awesome that you’ve joined.

Great questions you’ve asked, & you’ll be finding out by now just how every participant here at Reef Excellence R2R is super friendly, super awesome & super knowledgeable, smart & clever,,,,, there’s no bad or misleading advice given out around here. So you’ll be a marine fish professional in no time.

C U round

Steve

FindingPonyo · Feb 3, 2020

Eric H said:
So, I’m setting up a new 55 gallon saltwater aquarium for fish, not corals or reef. I had no idea of all the cost involved, but now I do. I built my own stand and got a good deal on the aquarium at Petco. I live in Arizona so the water is terrible, had to buy a RODI system which I set up in my laundry room. I’ll be putting live sand and life rock to start out. I was told that I did not need a heater as these tropical fish are used to colder water. Is that true? I know I need to keep the temperature Between 76 and 82°F. Can this be done without a heater? Another question I have, how long should I let my tank cycle with the live sand before introducing fish? Any other helpful comments Would be appreciated. Eric

If you just have the live sand, I would recommend cycling for 4 weeks. Keep the filter and pump on during this process. To speed up the process, dump in a whole bottle of BioSpira into it. That will make it take about 1 week (there are two sizes, so the bigger one)