Suggestions for a new marine aquarist

[One Fish Two Fish]

Hi, so I've wanted a marine aquarium for a while, and even though I probably can't get it until I graduate high school, I like the idea of having a well established plan before I actually do anything. So, I've been reading around, and I have my fish mainly picked out I think, but I would like so ideas on invertibrates and plants to add that would do well with the fish. Suggestions on other fish would also be good. I'd specifically like to know what some good corals might be. I also would like to have some sort of crab, shrimp, starfish, and sea slug, if that is at all possible.

The fish I would like to have are:
Firefish goby
Ocellaris clownfish
Pajama cardinal
Maybe a royal grandma
From what I've read, these fish are all compatible and are reef safe, if this is untrue, please let me know which fish wouldn't belong.

I plan on getting a tank between 55 and 75 gallons. Good light fixture suggestions would be good, too.

Thank you

 

[Homestead_Dad]

Wouldn't we all love to have a royal grandma.

 

[Vaughn17]

Hi One Fish Two Fish, welcome! I've had/have Ocellaris clowns and royal grammas (that's gramma not grandma, lol) and they've all been cool, peaceful, hardy fish that I would definitely recommend. Maybe others will chime in on your other selections. As far as inverts go, I've had good luck with turbo and astrea snails, money or ring cowries, small brittle starfish species, and tuxedo urchins to name a few. There is a whole list of other inverts that will hitchhike into your tank if you buy coral or live rock etc., some good, some not so good in a glass box, so if I were you I would research this topic...and other topics, such a water quality, lighting, tank cycling, feeding, etc. I find the process to be as fun as the end result. So read, read, and read some more. There are things in this hobby that you have to learn yourself (things that are unique to each individual), but IMO the hard lessons come easier to those who do their homework.

 

[One Fish Two Fish]

Wouldn't we all love to have a royal grandma.

Oops, auto correct.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

I currently have in my 90 gallon living happily together, all but the firefish goby. I do however have a blue spot goby and a few other fish as well. They all cohabitate well and have had 0 problems with any of the mentioned. Mixed reef here as well and no coral nips at all. Again, goby aside as I have not had that one. Great to plan ahead. You will be happy you did in the long run. Welcome to the madness by the way!

 

[One Fish Two Fish]

Hi One Fish Two Fish, welcome! I've had/have Ocellaris clowns and royal grammas (that's gramma not grandma, lol) and they've all been cool, peaceful, hardy fish that I would definitely recommend. Maybe others will chime in on your other selections. As far as inverts go, I've had good luck with turbo and astrea snails, money or ring cowries, small brittle starfish species, and tuxedo urchins to name a few. There is a whole list of other inverts that will hitchhike into your tank if you buy coral or live rock etc., some good, some not so good in a glass box, so if I were you I would research this topic...and other topics, such a water quality, lighting, tank cycling, feeding, etc. I find the process to be as fun as the end result.

Thank you, I've looked into the cycling and such, I have quite a few freshwater tanks, and didn't look into cycling before my first one and learned about the bad that comes out of it. I've looked into lighting a bit, but I'm still confused by it a bit. I'll look into invaders some more, I've heard that they can be much more harsh than freshwater hitchhikers. Thanks again

 

[One Fish Two Fish]

I currently have in my 90 gallon living happily together, all but the firefish goby. I do however have a blue spot goby and a few other fish as well. They all cohabitate well and have had 0 problems with any of the mentioned. Mixed reef here as well and no coral nips at all. Again, goby aside as I have not had that one. Great to plan ahead. You will be happy you did in the long run. Welcome to the madness by the way!

Thank you, glad to hear those can all work.

 

[Maritimer]

Welcome aboard One Fish Two Fish!

(Red Fish Blue Fish has been here a while already!)

Good on you, planning ahead - you've got nothing but time and a mind conditioned to studying! As ReeferMaddness843 already noted, that's a fine, peaceful combination of fish - and the firefish fits in well with that group. (Keep in mind that the firefish is an accomplished jumper, so some sort of lid will be required!)

Invaders and hitchhikers in saltwater tanks can be a bit more ... interesting ... than most of the freshwater ones - on the plus and on the minus sides. Sure, nobody (well, almost nobody!) wants a ten-foot-long Bobbit worm, but you'll never find a mini-brittle-star coming in on a bunch of Rotala, either!

I've been using the Mars-Aqua LED lights. Kind of bare-bones, but they're strong enough to grow corals (or bleach 'em - careful!), and priced decently for a young person stepping out of High School with a fresh diploma.

~Bruce

 

[jwhann6]

Welcome to the hobby! I'll echo what everyone has already said, great idea planning ahead of time and doing your research. I'm in grad school and had my first tank during my senior year of high school. I was not quite as diligent as you and ran into a bunch of issues.

Something I'll suggest is using youtube! Specifically, I've learned so much over the years from Tidal Gardens page and BRSTV. Than over at Tidal Gardens has some really good videos about lighting you might want to check out.

 

[One Fish Two Fish]

Welcome aboard One Fish Two Fish!

(Red Fish Blue Fish has been here a while already!)

Good on you, planning ahead - you've got nothing but time and a mind conditioned to studying! As ReeferMaddness843 already noted, that's a fine, peaceful combination of fish - and the firefish fits in well with that group. (Keep in mind that the firefish is an accomplished jumper, so some sort of lid will be required!)

Invaders and hitchhikers in saltwater tanks can be a bit more ... interesting ... than most of the freshwater ones - on the plus and on the minus sides. Sure, nobody (well, almost nobody!) wants a ten-foot-long Bobbit worm, but you'll never find a mini-brittle-star coming in on a bunch of Rotala, either!

I've been using the Mars-Aqua LED lights. Kind of bare-bones, but they're strong enough to grow corals (or bleach 'em - careful!), and priced decently for a young person stepping out of High School with a fresh diploma.

~Bruce

Thank you

I'll definitely put a good lid on there, I don't want anything getting in or out of the tank.

I have to say, I am feeling a bit exited about what could come in the tank, but also rather worried. Bobbit worms definitely look really cool, at least to me, but I get the feeling that they would reek havic on my tank and are best taken out. Knowing me, I'll likely have a 10 or something gallon tank just to put wierd hitchhikers in, even just for enough time to see if they would be bad for the tank. I even have a small tank for freshwater hitchhikers now. They are normally just snails, and end up eaten by my puffer, though.

I'll look into the Mars aqua LED light, thanks for the suggestion.

 

[One Fish Two Fish]

Welcome to the hobby! I'll echo what everyone has already said, great idea planning ahead of time and doing your research. I'm in grad school and had my first tank during my senior year of high school. I was not quite as diligent as you and ran into a bunch of issues.

Something I'll suggest is using youtube! Specifically, I've learned so much over the years from Tidal Gardens page and BRSTV. Than over at Tidal Gardens has some really good videos about lighting you might want to check out.

Thanks, I'll be sure to check out those videos and the people you mentioned.