Hello. Let me introduce my self: I am a 23 year old Nursing student graduating in Dec from KSU blah blah. Anyhow I have always loved saltwater tanks and have never delved into keeping one until recently and decided to go ahead and take the plunge.
I have a 55 gallon tank at present with approx 100 lbs of liverock. I use an emperor ?( 400gph) filtration system, have two ( as of now) 400 gph rated water pumps to promote decent water circulation. Live stock ( purchased) is a 2 blue leg crabs, two turbo snails. and a Hatian reef anenome and the blue damsel ( devil).Obviously the liverock brought some life in the mix as well. I currently have nice caulpera growth/ and likewise pod growth, as well as some sort of mollusks, bristle worms and interestingly if I'm not mistaken a ribbon worm ( any knowledge on these boys).
The lighting I use over the tank is (2) 250 watt metal halide bulbs, (4) actinic blue 65 watt bulbs and 12 lunar lights.
My dilemma is that I have a wealth of knowledge from numerous sources ie: those who are trying to sell you the product ( and perhaps suppling you with misinformation), those that are liberal in reef keeping, and those more on the conservative side. For example Seahorses should be kept in species only tanks or housed with pipefish and the like right? But I seen video of housing them in a small 55 gallon reef with agressive fish. Anyhow, my problem is I would like life a decent amount of life in the tank besides the inverts presently occupying residence. Id like to move the damsel fish out or soon ( now that its purpose has been terminated).
I would eventually like coral and thus a reef tank. My idea is to add perhaps a small schoal to give the tank some more presence from a far and constant action, with the addition of a couple of "show" pieces ( not necessarily expensive), but perhaps more demanding and thus rewarding ie. I have grown to have dislike for damsels aggressiveness, and my thoughts have always been in favor ( however with just as much (?) agressiveness as damsels i dont know if this is an idea). Cardinal fish in shoals seem to stay stationary, anthias if any purchased for my tank should be purchased (singly) as I understand, lastly however I am warming to the idea of blue green chromis but unsure if that route should be taken, and what size group would be suitable keeping in mind the addition of one or more other fish.
Any comments/ suggestions are welcomed and encouraged... I am new so light me up. And I know you all want/ need pics... Im not sure how to minimize the quality/ size enough to post them! I tried messing with the pixels but still was unabled to upload
Thank you for your time to read my randomness
I have a 55 gallon tank at present with approx 100 lbs of liverock. I use an emperor ?( 400gph) filtration system, have two ( as of now) 400 gph rated water pumps to promote decent water circulation. Live stock ( purchased) is a 2 blue leg crabs, two turbo snails. and a Hatian reef anenome and the blue damsel ( devil).Obviously the liverock brought some life in the mix as well. I currently have nice caulpera growth/ and likewise pod growth, as well as some sort of mollusks, bristle worms and interestingly if I'm not mistaken a ribbon worm ( any knowledge on these boys).
The lighting I use over the tank is (2) 250 watt metal halide bulbs, (4) actinic blue 65 watt bulbs and 12 lunar lights.
My dilemma is that I have a wealth of knowledge from numerous sources ie: those who are trying to sell you the product ( and perhaps suppling you with misinformation), those that are liberal in reef keeping, and those more on the conservative side. For example Seahorses should be kept in species only tanks or housed with pipefish and the like right? But I seen video of housing them in a small 55 gallon reef with agressive fish. Anyhow, my problem is I would like life a decent amount of life in the tank besides the inverts presently occupying residence. Id like to move the damsel fish out or soon ( now that its purpose has been terminated).
I would eventually like coral and thus a reef tank. My idea is to add perhaps a small schoal to give the tank some more presence from a far and constant action, with the addition of a couple of "show" pieces ( not necessarily expensive), but perhaps more demanding and thus rewarding ie. I have grown to have dislike for damsels aggressiveness, and my thoughts have always been in favor ( however with just as much (?) agressiveness as damsels i dont know if this is an idea). Cardinal fish in shoals seem to stay stationary, anthias if any purchased for my tank should be purchased (singly) as I understand, lastly however I am warming to the idea of blue green chromis but unsure if that route should be taken, and what size group would be suitable keeping in mind the addition of one or more other fish.
Any comments/ suggestions are welcomed and encouraged... I am new so light me up. And I know you all want/ need pics... Im not sure how to minimize the quality/ size enough to post them! I tried messing with the pixels but still was unabled to upload
Thank you for your time to read my randomness
