Starting 75g first salt water tank - Page 5

Fitler · 07-15-2009, 09:59 PM

Im a big fan of the tangs and angels myself. If I decided to get a tang it would be the blue hippo or naso. The yellow tangs are very cool too. It sounds like you have a pretty neat setup by what you described. Il tell ya, I really got hooked on angels when I saw my buddys angel in his 125, that thing has to be atleast a footlong and even looks huge in a 125.

Right now, and keep in mind this will change probably 400 times, is to start with a couple damsels and then a couple clowns after im sure the damsels thrive in the tank. Il let the tank go for awhile after that. I am thinking about a valentini puffer and possibly dwarf or volitan lionfish. Im thinking the triggers are going to come near last though and im going to get them when they are just small at the same time. There of course will be the picasso and niger trigger. I hope they will get along providing they go in the same size and same time. The problem is there is a lot I like but obviously I cannot add everything lol.

lostanime · 07-15-2009, 10:29 PM

We've had a couple angels get to about 1ft long before we re-homed them (due to problems regarding developing appetites for corals), and they look huge in our setup too!

Blue hippos are absolutely gorgeous. My wife is crazy about nasos... but the reason I'm dragging feet until our big tank is up another half-year is because they are voracious algae eaters, and can easily grow up to 2ft long... our 180 wont be able to support the between feedings grazing of one any time soon.

Sounds like a plan, but be mindful lionfish and puffers will both eat anything they can fit in their mouths - and their mouths can open alot more then they look like they can! clowns and damsels make easy prey for lionfish... you may want to sell this back to your LFS before you drop the lion in!

I wont harp you on it (you'll only hear it once from me!) but two triggers could really be pushing the limit as far as bioload is concerned with a 75gal and may be cruisin for trouble (and that's not counting a lion and possibly puffer)... all of those fish types produce ridiculously high amounts of waste, and puffers and triggers get BIG! 4ftx1.5ft is a scary small footprint to house even one fish that will grow over 8" long... ok, there, I said it, you wont hear me argue with you about it again

Fitler · 07-16-2009, 12:36 AM

Well lol its good you mentioned it, I guess I keep thinking my 75gal is a lot bigger then it actually is. I can go without the others, but the picasso is at the top of the list still. Each time I post here I change my mind haha I guess I have a lot of planning to do with the stocking.

lostanime · 07-16-2009, 09:24 AM

It's all good - there's SO many cool fish out there!

Def post up pics as you stock!

Fitler · 07-16-2009, 10:13 AM

I suggest if you have a slow internet connection you fix it now because there are going to be many pictures along the way lol.

Fitler · 07-16-2009, 11:18 PM

Another update on the status of the current plans....
The skimmer and Marineland C360 arrived today and the lights are supposed to be here tomorrow.

Right now all that leaves me with needing is the RO/DI Unit, Live rock and sand. I have another order coming from drs foster and smith on Monday with some misc stuff and background. Il probably take some time this week and set everything up, get aquainted with the filter and skimmer and then put everything in its place so when the water is ready I can get this thing running.

I plan on obtaining the remaining items within the next few weeks( I need to let the paypal credit line drain a bit right now). Im getting excited about this.

Fitler · 07-21-2009, 01:03 AM

Well many bills to pay in the next couple weeks is going to unfortunately push back the starting of my tank for awhile longer but thats not a bad thing. Right now im doing a lot of reading and searching into the quarantine processes so the more time I have to wait, the more I learn so its a win win. Anyways I have made some progress with the actual setup of the tank with what I have, this way when the time comes I can just basically add water, rocks, sand and let everything run. Heres some pictures to show the progress. The only thing I don't like about the tank itself is that its got some good eye sore scratches, mostly on the bottom which will not even be seen, but some on the sides that I am hoping will be less noticeable when everything goes in. Excuse the tank as it is pretty dirty and needs cleaned inside yet. Some pics were taken with just the actinics on and some with both the actinic and daylights but you cannot tell from the camera. It seriously feels like im about to have a kid with all the anticipation and preparation haha.

Fitler · 09-02-2009, 09:20 PM

Well time for an update, its been awhile. Since I was last here I acquired everything I needed to get my tank going and I drilled it for future overflows and sump. Here are some pics of my, still very cloudy, brand new tank.

Cichlids4Ever · 09-17-2009, 02:03 PM

Pardon me for jumping into this, but I too am new to SW and really enjoyed and learned from this thread.

2 things though.
I was under the impression tha enough Live Rock IS your natural biological filtration. Why waste money on a cannister?

Also, A protein skimmer and power heads are great for SW. I have never heard of a power head "eating" marine life....They are needed to move things around....just my opinion.

Judge · 09-18-2009, 10:53 AM

http://www.fishtankforums.com/28-diy...-declawed.html

If I am understanding correctly, then check out this thread. I have first hand experience with what powerheads can do to your watery friends.