New to Hobby and need some HELP!

[littleclownfish11]

I'm new to this Marine Aquarium world and I feel I'm need of some guidance. I have a 55 gal tank with live sand, a little bit of live rock, 2 maroon clowns and a rosebud anemone and a ritteri anemone, and I was told recently by my lfs I needed powerheads for my tank and I was wondering where to place them? and do they need to stay on all the time or be on a schedule like my lights? I have so many different questions I figured I would start with that.
Thanks!

 

[ralph atl]

get 2 koralia's for now on timers, directly across from each other on the sides about 6-8 inches from top.....

 

[robertlg1967]

I keep mine on the sides and bounce the flow off the front of the tank. I leave them on 24/7 and my clowns love to play in the current.

 

[littleclownfish11]

Thanks for the advice I ordered 1 koralia and it should be here on friday. So I 'll order another one so I have two. I ordered a 750 is that going to be enough of a flow for my tank if I get 2 of those? oh and I started my tank with dark colored sand and I have decided I would really like to put some of the white/tan sand in my tank would it be ok to add more sand and how at this point( I've had the tank running since March) or should I just leave it?

 

[jennm]

Welcome to ARC!

If you have anemones you might want to have powerheads that have covered intakes. Anemones wander. They get too close to a powerhead and whoosh! Anemone purée. That doesn't end well.

Jenn

 

[littleclownfish11]

lol ok yea that would be bad. Do you have any advice on my sand question?

 

[flyboy93tr]

Hello, I would probably leave it but I have added sand to my tanks in the past. Make sure you buy the live sand in the bag with the water. What I like to do is clean the outside of the sand bag then put the whole bag in the tank. Then I take a razor blade and slit the bottom of the bag and carefully remove it while stirring as little sand as possible.

 

[jennm]

Depends how thick your sand is now. I don't suggest more than 3/4" to 1" depth and keep it vacuumed.

Jenn

 

[stacy22]

Just FYI, anemones are suggested additions to tanks that are fairly well established. Ritteri anemones are sometimes difficult to keep. For rosebud anemone do you mean red bubble tip? What kind of lighting does your tank have?

Welcome to reefkeeping and to the ARC!

 

[thanh386]

Why do u put koralia on timers? Don't they have start up issues?

 

[cjsparky]

Thanh386;661477 wrote: Why do u put koralia on timers? Don't they have start up issues?

Mine always made horrible clicking noises when starting up. Yesterday I had to start the propeller with my finger for mixing salt water, but I am sure that is because they were sitting dry for a few weeks.

 

[littleclownfish11]

stacy22;661446 wrote: Just FYI, anemones are suggested additions to tanks that are fairly well established. Ritteri anemones are sometimes difficult to keep. For rosebud anemone do you mean red bubble tip? What kind of lighting does your tank have?

Welcome to reefkeeping and to the ARC!

I have a 48" Black T5 4x 54 Watt High Output, Moon Lights. and as far as the anemones go yes its a red bubble tip lol sorry, and thats one of the reasons I got on here my I dont feel like I'm getting all the info I need from my lfs.

 

[cjsparky]

LittleClownfish11;661489 wrote: I have a 48" Black T5 4x 54 Watt High Output, Moon Lights. and as far as the anemones go yes its a red bubble tip lol sorry, and thats one of the reasons I got on here my I dont feel like I'm getting all the info I need from my lfs.

This forum is invaluable for getting information for setting up and maintaining a successful reef tank. One thing to understand is that there are often many different ways to skin a cat in this hobby, so advice may sometimes seem contradictory, depending on who responds to your posts. My advice is to read, read, read, learn tons, etc. There are many people on these forums who are highly respected, and have nothing to gain from lending advice, except for furthering the cause of responsible reef keeping, and a successful tank for you.

CJ

P.S. Many people will tell you that your money is best spent on product x, or product y. I would argue that the best money spent would be becoming an ARC member Not sure if you have taken that step yet, but would love to have you aboard. Especially when starting out a tank, you will find membership does have its perks...

 

[littleclownfish11]

Cjsparky;661495 wrote: This forum is invaluable for getting information for setting up and maintaining a successful reef tank. One thing to understand is that there are often many different ways to skin a cat in this hobby, so advice may sometimes seem contradictory, depending on who responds to your posts. My advice is to read, read, read, learn tons, etc. There are many people on these forums who are highly respected, and have nothing to gain from lending advice, except for furthering the cause of responsible reef keeping, and a successful tank for you.

CJ

P.S. Many people will tell you that your money is best spent on product x, or product y. I would argue that the best money spent would be becoming an ARC member Not sure if you have taken that step yet, but would love to have you aboard. Especially when starting out a tank, you will find membership does have its perks...

Thanks, Ive been trying to get as many books as I can and read as much as I can. I dont want to kill what I already have just because of a poor start up instructions. I'm thinking about becoming a ARC member.

 

[inzzane]

Cjsparky;661495 wrote: This forum is invaluable for getting information for setting up and maintaining a successful reef tank. One thing to understand is that there are often many different ways to skin a cat in this hobby, so advice may sometimes seem contradictory, depending on who responds to your posts. My advice is to read, read, read, learn tons, etc. There are many people on these forums who are highly respected, and have nothing to gain from lending advice, except for furthering the cause of responsible reef keeping, and a successful tank for you.

CJ

P.S. Many people will tell you that your money is best spent on product x, or product y. I would argue that the best money spent would be becoming an ARC member Not sure if you have taken that step yet, but would love to have you aboard. Especially when starting out a tank, you will find membership does have its perks...

+1

Welcome to ARC! As someone fairly new to saltwater, I have to agree with the above posts. I would also say the LFS is good to go see, get to know, and get advice from, but have also learned that it is MUCH better to not fully trust the information until it has been confirmed online (ARC is a GREAT place). I don't believe it's that the LFS's intentionally attempt to create problems, but more likely are forgetting small details about your system over time that would change their recommendations.

 

[littleclownfish11]

Inzzane;661535 wrote: +1

Welcome to ARC! As someone fairly new to saltwater, I have to agree with the above posts. I would also say the LFS is good to go see, get to know, and get advice from, but have also learned that it is MUCH better to not fully trust the information until it has been confirmed online (ARC is a GREAT place). I don't believe it's that the LFS's intentionally attempt to create problems, but more likely are forgetting small details about your system over time that would change their recommendations.

TRUE. Thank you all for all your help! I'm going to get my hands on as many books as I can!

 

[grayskwerel]

Inzzane;661535 wrote: +1

Welcome to ARC! As someone fairly new to saltwater, I have to agree with the above posts. I would also say the LFS is good to go see, get to know, and get advice from, <span style="color: red">but have also learned that it is MUCH better to not fully trust the information until it has been confirmed online</span> (ARC is a GREAT place). I don't believe it's that the LFS's intentionally attempt to create problems, but more likely are forgetting small details about your system over time that would change their recommendations.

I would say... trust but verify... it's a standard practice for me!

 

[jennm]

Yep, us evil LFS types are always out to get you. :roll:

I've seen at least as much bad information online as I have ever heard in a LFS. Just sayin'.

COMMON SENSE. Gather information from a few trusted sources, compare notes and do what makes the most common sense. Beware the "parrots" - people who hear stuff but just repeat what they've heard, without having actually done it. Often that becomes like a game of "telephone" and the information becomes totally convoluted.

Listen to the people who have real hands-on experience, whether they are hobbyists or professionals.

There are many ways to get from point A to point B in this hobby, so differing opinions don't necessarily mean one is right and one is wrong.

Take your time, do your homework, and you'll do just fine.

Jenn

 

[grayskwerel]

Also keep in mind... some LFS personnel are more knowledgeable than others... even within the same store.

 

[littleclownfish11]

JennM;661663 wrote: Yep, us evil LFS types are always out to get you. :roll:

I've seen at least as much bad information online as I have ever heard in a LFS. Just sayin'.

COMMON SENSE. Gather information from a few trusted sources, compare notes and do what makes the most common sense. Beware the "parrots" - people who hear stuff but just repeat what they've heard, without having actually done it. Often that becomes like a game of "telephone" and the information becomes totally convoluted.

Listen to the people who have real hands-on experience, whether they are hobbyists or professionals.

There are many ways to get from point A to point B in this hobby, so differing opinions don't necessarily mean one is right and one is wrong.

Take your time, do your homework, and you'll do just fine.

Jenn

I hope you didnt take offense to what I said. I wasnt trying to say anything bad about my lfs. I appreicate everything they have done for me! I just was wanting to get a few more opinions along with what ive been trying to read, and the info I ask my lfs. I just want to try to take in as much info as I can. I'm so excited to be starting the hobby and want to make sure I get it right ! Thank you for your advice and kind words of encouragement!!