help with reef tank?

[acrews62]

Ok, so we are new, but not real new to saltwater aquariums. We have had ours about 1 1/2 years now, but still do not know a whole lot. We have lost one set already and now are fine. We have a 55 gal. We had a cubicus, snowflake eel, sailfin, butterfly, green psych mandarin, snails and hermit crabs. We lost the whole tank due to Cubi getting stressed and he released his toxins and had to start all over. The only thing that survived was the eel, but he then commited suicide by jumping out the back of the tank, which we thought was completely sealed. Here is what we have now: we now have 4 Nemos, 2 tomatoes, 3 frog spawn, some grassy looking stuff, one leather toadstool, flourescent green bubble or long tentacle anemone(don't really know what it is), electric blue hermit, 1 cleaner shrimp, 1 peppermint shrimp, several hermits, snails and some other misc. anemone frags that I don't know what they are. Today, one of our favorite stores had a 50% of sale so we were able to buy a Huma trigger and a porcupine puffer. We have a skimmer, powerhead, and filter. So here are the two questions: For our lighting, I do not know if we have the right bulb for what we have. We bought it at a saltwater store, but it does not have any numbers/name on the bulb. I know that it is flourescent and is more of a blue color than the white one we have in our 10 gallon. Is this the correct lighting? Are the fish that we have all compatible with a reef? system and is this considered a reef tank? All suggestions/help welcomed. I have never done this before so I hope to pics work.


<a href="http://s914.photobucket.com/albums/ac347/acrews62/?action=view&current=100_3212.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac347/acrews62/100_3212.jpg" border="0" alt="anemone"></a>

<a href="http://s914.photobucket.com/albums/ac347/acrews62/?action=view&current=100_3210.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac347/acrews62/100_3210.jpg" border="0" alt="tank"></a>

 

[OCDreefer]

welcome to reef frontiers...... this will be a great place to get information on reef keeping. Hopefully you can learn from the mistakes we have all made instead of making them yourself, as mistakes are $$$ in this hobby. As for your tank, it sounds like you need to slow down, do some research, then figure out what kind of aquarium do you want. Fish only, soft corals, LPS SPS, etc... once you decide on what you want then you can figure out what you need. Lighting, filtration, flow.... I would not recommend the fish you have in your 55 gallon. But do some reading and decide what works for you. mostly ask lots and lots of questions...

 

[acrews62]

Thank you. I am so glad I found this site because every store we go to, we get conflicting information. We have two great stores that we have found. At one store today, we found a complete 125 gal. with canopy and stand for $700 that we are debating on buying. The ne thing we know we want are lots and lots of anemones. There are so many beautiful ones out there. The one thing we keep hearing different things about are lighting and what is compatible. Can you tell me what you would suggest for lighting with what we do have? For the fish, is it that they are not compatible? Or just hard to keep?

 

[tri_pod_rod]

totally agree with OCDreefer, figure out exactly what you want do a S#@%t load of research and ask questions like theres no tomorrow but always remember what works for some may not work for others

 

[Myteemouse]

anemones need LIGHT

 

[moto826]

what pet store in portland do you go to we are going down there next weekend and are all ways looking for new stores i mostley go to kays

 

[acrews62]

We started our tanks with Caye's, but had too many problems with the fish. We did not realize that it was the fish, until we lost our whole tank (after struggling for over a year, not one problem since). I would never bash a store, but will not go back to Caye's again. When we started over, we went to Saltwater Fantaseas and Seahorse Aquarium. We LOVE Patrick who owns Saltwater. He is so patient and helpful. He talked with me for over an hour helping us rebuild the tank, and even gave us a discount on our replacement fish because we lost $500+ in fish. He is awesome!!!! Make sure you have enough time because customer service with Patrick is number one and he will take his time with you. His address is 10618 NE Sandy Blvd Portland, OR 97220 503-255-1645. The other store is Seahorse Aquarium, owned by Woody who is also wonderful. They have GREAT frags there and he has two tanks that are 3 for $30. His fish are kind of high compared to other stores, but great anemones, etc at really good prices. He also has a great selection of live rock at good prices. Right now, Seahorse is having a sale of 50% off all fish except for a few exclusions including the seahorses. Don't know how long it will last. 7501 NE 21st ave portland, or 97211 503-283-4788. So, we go to Saltwater fantaseas for fish and Seahorse for anemoes, coral and live rock. He also has a great price on seahorses $49 and they are nice size and very healthy. Hope this helps.

 

[acrews62]

Forgot their websites

http://www.seahorse-nw.com/index.html

http://www.saltwaterfanta-seas.org/

 

[OCDreefer]

Ok so he is some simple advice that will payoff big in the long run:

Buy an Ro/di filter and start with filter water. Tap water will create problems.
Set your rock place you corals and then keep your hands out of your tank.
Always have more then you think you need when it comes to filtration, flow, and light
Don't rush to place a fish or coral in the tank, figure out what you like and then reasearch if it would be a good fit for you setup, I promise the store will have that 'really cool' fish in again.
Keep the waterparameters stable, don't over stock, do water changes correctly and things should go great for you.

 

[mojozen]

learn about your lights!!!!

 

[Chichas01]

hmmm, trying to up your post count??