Looking to make the big switch...

[Flatlandy]

Hi all, Im new to the forum. I recently received a 55 gallon tank with a fluval 404 filter system. I've only had FW systems in the past, but im looking to make this one a SW setup. I've made a wishlist on Dr Fosters and Smith website---> http://www.drsfostersmith.com/shoppinglist/sl_recip_list.cfm?cm_mmc=Email-_-Triggered-_-Wish_List-_-Friend_Email&ref=4201&subref=AA&listid=%24%26L%5B%24R0%20%20%0A&recipid=%24%26LC%24SP%20%20%0A

Other than fish, should there be anything else added to this list? As for the 30lb of substrate, I would assume that I need more, I just did not add it. If you have any suggestions for fish feel free to let me know!:thumb:

Any help would be appreciated! I look forward to having many discussions with most of you throughout this whole experience!

Thanks in advance and have a good one!
--Andy

[Drumachine09]

You will need lights, and very high wattage lights to grow coral, i have a 10 gallon nano aquarium. What fishes are you interested in?

[Chrona]

Hi all, Im new to the forum. I recently received a 55 gallon tank with a fluval 404 filter system. I've only had FW systems in the past, but im looking to make this one a SW setup. I've made a wishlist on Dr Fosters and Smith website---> http://www.drsfostersmith.com/shoppinglist/sl_recip_list.cfm?cm_mmc=Email-_-Triggered-_-Wish_List-_-Friend_Email&ref=4201&subref=AA&listid=%24%26L%5B%24R0%20%20%0A&recipid=%24%26LC%24SP%20%20%0A

Other than fish, should there be anything else added to this list? As for the 30lb of substrate, I would assume that I need more, I just did not add it. If you have any suggestions for fish feel free to let me know!:thumb:

Any help would be appreciated! I look forward to having many discussions with most of you throughout this whole experience!

Thanks in advance and have a good one!
--Andy

You need a few powerheads for current in a 55g tank as well. Also perhaps an additional filter, because SW tanks of that size require good biological filtration (like a wet/dry system, ideally)

[Fishguy2727]

Get a Stealth heater instead of that one. The 30 pounds should be enough. I went with a pound per gallon of sand in my 150 and it was too much, so the 30 pounds should be fine. Corals are not for beginners so you aren't there yet, so don't worry about an expensive lighting system. Rios are good powerheads without a prefilter that needs constant cleaning, so I would recommend those. Are you going to get live rock? Check out liveaquaria and see which fish you like and let us know. Avoid damsels and dottybacks, too aggressive. We will let you know if we see any problems with your fish list.

[Flatlandy]

Wow such quick responses! Thanks for the tips! As for the rio powerhead, I dont have any knowledge of the use for it or what to use with it, I tried to read about it on Fosters but still don quite understand how this is used in the system.

As for live rock, I have read elsewhere on these forums that it should be 1 or 2 pounds per gallon, is this true? Are the live rocks a necessity?

Thanks again guys!

[Chrona]

Wow such quick responses! Thanks for the tips! As for the rio powerhead, I dont have any knowledge of the use for it or what to use with it, I tried to read about it on Fosters but still don quite understand how this is used in the system.

As for live rock, I have read elsewhere on these forums that it should be 1 or 2 pounds per gallon, is this true? Are the live rocks a necessity?

Thanks again guys!

Live rocks are not a necessity, but they certainly help, as they process ammonia/nitrite AND nitrates (into nitrogen gas), resulting in a cleaner tank. Also, live rock contains many organisms that fish/other livestock will feed on. To get the full value out of good quality live rock, however, you will need very high lighting, as LR is often seeded with corals (expensive stuff) that will not grow under low light.

[Flatlandy]

If I do not use LR, is there something else (equipment, chemicals, etc) that will help process ammonia/nitrites?

Also, I took a look at some fish and just going by ease of maintaining and a compatibility chart these are some species that I am considering:
Gobies
Butterfly Fish
Clownfish
Blenny
Cardinal
Puffer maybe...?

Also, invertebrates, such as hermit crabs or scallops, do they need a reef based system or what? Im not sure what they should have so any info is helpful!

Thanks!

[Fishguy2727]

You don't need to worry about the possibility of corals on the live rock unless you can afford the extra lighting, higher water quality, calcium monitoring and supplementation, etc. Some good lighting will keep the good algae going. The live rock is not vital, but will make a big difference in how much you need to do for the system. One to two pounds per gallon is right on. They will make for less maintenance for you and a much more balanced system less likely to fail. Small hermit crabs are great for cleanup. So are small snails. Make sure the species you get are small and not just small for now. A couple species of hermit crab and snails don't get to be more than about two inches, those are the ones you want. The Rios just move water around in the tank. They keep it circulated and simulate the faster moving water most of these are used to. The scallops should be avoided because they will need supplemental feeding and calcium supplementation so they are for more advanced aquarists. Depending on the species those fish sound fine, but double check the puffers. I think most may get too big and too destructive.

[Flatlandy]

Okay so I will stay away from scallops for now and will look more into more detail for the puffer. As for the live rock, it was mentioned that "good lighting will keep the good algae going", what kind of lighting would be needed?

As for all the other information, thanks!

[Fishguy2727]

Compact fluorescents are more expensive than fluorescent, but are better. So it depends on the budget as to whether or not you should go with something like a double or triple tube fluorescent (at which point you may be paying as much as you would for the compact fluorescent) or go with a compact fluorescent.

[Flatlandy]

Hello again, just wanted to say thanks for all the help. Within the next two weeks I plan on getting this all started and set up, so I'm sure I'll be back soon!

Have a good one!