been around in forum, but new to sw

[rasbora]

Well I've been on this forum for a little over a year now, figure the post belonged here cause I'm a newbie to sw side of the hobby. Originally joined to send a pm to someone when I was looking for some lighting for my planted tank. This site has been great, met some good people, got a few great deals on stuff to use in my freshwater tanks. Been in the hobby a little over a year now, and somehow went from one aquarium to having around 10 going.

I figure it's time to try my hand at a saltwater tank. Back in october I picked up a sw setup from a student in one my classes, in exchange for some books I was done with.

Ended up getting a 40g tank, 50-60lb of lr, 50lb sand, a seaclone skimmer, another skimmer that had no name on it, a 2 bulb t5 fixture, a half bucket of instant ocean salt, a few powerheads, heater, and the usual assortment of fish 'stuff' that seems to come. The tank was up and running for about 2 years and was just moved over the my place.

Was a busy school quarter so didn't have any time to do anything with it so just been left alone running. I haven't added any livestock to it, the only life in that tank is a shrimp of some sort that seemed to have snuck in with the lr when the tank was moved to my place.

going to keep it as a fowlr for now, done a fair bit of reading. Would like to keep 1-2 fish, something hardy that would be forgiving to newbie mistakes. a low bioload would be nice. I tend to go away for a week or two every few months and leave all my tanks on autofeeders, usually have someone stop in and check on the tanks at least once a week.

thoughts? could use some suggestions on livestock.

 

[mojo]

40g is a little small, but there are some fish that might work. Clownfish, 6-line wrasse, blennies, gobies, cleaner shrimp, and other smaller fish would work well with being left along for a week at a time.

I'd stay away from tangs - too large for that tank.

 

[rasbora]

mojo;437807 wrote: 40g is a little small, but there are some fish that might work. Clownfish, 6-line wrasse, blennies, gobies, cleaner shrimp, and other smaller fish would work well with being left along for a week at a time.

I'd stay away from tangs - too large for that tank.

Well I do have an empty 45 long and a 55g, was just trying to limit the footprint of the tank, I've kind of run out of room in the apt. Was thinking about a pair of b&w ocellaris clowns for the 40b tank. Wasn't really thinking of any tangs, figured the tank was way too small.

 

[kirru]

I have a 40 breeder and my current inhabitants are:
-Pair of Black and White Misbar Clowns
-Indigo Dottyback
-Bi-Color Blenny
-Flame angel
-Scooter Blenny
-2 Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, 1 Blood Red Cleaner Shrimp, 2 Peppermint, 1 pistol shrimp

Various amounts of coral of LPS, SPS, softies, and a zoa patch

Future plan is to add two Pinkbar (aurora) gobies and they should pair up to the pistol shrimp. Then I would be done with adding fish to the tank and just add coral.

You have a variety to choose from. Though with goin out of town for a week or two, what mojo has suggested would be good too. Luckily I abuse my sister's friend and make her come and check on my fishes and feed and top off water. I'm just so mean like that, not.

good luck!

 

[rasbora]

Kirru;438035 wrote:
You have a variety to choose from. Though with goin out of town for a week or two, what mojo has suggested would be good too. Luckily I abuse my sister's friend and make her come and check on my fishes and feed and top off water. I'm just so mean like that, not.

good luck!

Well I usually get a friend to go by my place a few times when I'm gone. Problem is sometimes they go away during the school breaks as well.

I'll keep reading up for another week or two, before deciding on what to go with and how to set things up.

 

[oldschool52]

maybe not what you rally want but Damsels are very forgiving and hardy. They can get aggressive but a few in a 40 would be fine. There are many kinds and colors, inexpensive compared to most sw fish, eat almost any food and are not the type that hide (very active). If I were you I would definately look into these fish. I have always had a few damsels in at least one of my tanks and have kept some for many years. Good luck.

 

[rasbora]

Thanks folks, I'll check those out too. Was thinking about damsels or a wrasse at one point. There are just so many things out there, it's like a kid in a candy store, you want everything but no room for it all I've always stuck to tank raised for my freshwater tanks, I'll probably continue that into sw as well. Probably won't do anything till next weekend. Home visiting the folks for another week.

 

[cr500_af]

Rasbora;439838 wrote: Thanks folks, I'll check those out too. Was thinking about damsels or a wrasse at one point. There are just so many things out there, it's like a kid in a candy store, you want everything but no room for it all I've always stuck to tank raised for my freshwater tanks, I'll probably continue that into sw as well. Probably won't do anything till next weekend. Home visiting the folks for another week.

If you decide you'll keep a damsel, I have a blue/yellow one for adoption. He was part of four fish that I "rescued" to give away (the tank was sold to a person who was going FW with it, and the fish had to go). I've given away 3 of the 4. The fish is healthy and has been in QT for 4 or 5 weeks so you wouldn't have to worry about that aspect of it. Free if you want it...