55Gallon a new beggining

[usafresq1]

Hey all, haven't been able to post here for awhile. Have been gone. Anyways, I have a 55 gallon all glass aquarium that I'm going to convert to a salty fo with live rock if I can find it. I'm in hawaii so I can't have a reef tank and the only way I can get live rock is if I find it washed up. I have a ten gallon running right now with a percula clown and a diadema basslet, its been running for almost two years now. I'm planning on putting everything that is in that aquarium into the 55. I would like to do a powder blue tang but understand they need a large amount of swimming room. Anyone know of a tang that would be alright in a 55. I've been in the hobby for a few years now (since about 2000) and have a fairly good basis of knowlege. I lack in knowlege when it comes to fish, but I thoroughly research the fish length, habits, and others expierences before buying. I also like inverts like feather dusters and coral banded shrimp, if they come in then a cleaner shrimp and maybe a brittle star. I'll keep everyone posted on how things go. But other than the above question I was wondering if someone could tell me of the sand Home Depot would sell I think it was called Southdown sand and it was safe for reef tanks. I used it in my prior reef tank that is still up and running to this day. Thanks guys, good to be back and start learning some more.

~Kevin

 

[Fatal Morgana]

Regarding the HomeDepot's southdown sand, it should be the right type. It is whitish round sand, not the silicate type that looks like ice cubes.

As for the fish question... you probably know more than me.

 

[Anonymous]

usafresq1:

hello in hickam. retired Air force here.

Most here wish they could get live rock washed up on the beach. You might try making your own rock from concrete. called something like agarocrete. check out the garf.org web site. Also limestore based rock is quarried here and sold for about $20 per ton. Another option but would probably require drilling to make it more porous.

Southdown is very popular if it is available in your area. Make sure it says tropical play sand and "not recommend for traction or aquarium use" on the bag. I use silica sand but also have a 5x water flow through crushed oyster shells to buffer calcium.

I have a yellow tang in my 55g who has been there for about a year and 1/2. Seems fine but most state a larger tank is needed. I think a powder blue needs even more.

I had stars at first but removed them for fear they were attacking the corals. One star a green bahama destroyed a pulsing xenia for instance.

As you plan your system consider an in tank refugium. By saving the cost of an external sump/refug you may be able to afford say a 75g or even 120g. All three are 4' wide just deaper and taller.

I thnk you will find the larger tank is more work to setup but more enjoyable and stable after it is setup.

whatever you do I highly recommend you get the plant life going as the first thing. then do the rest.

HTH and keep usposted.

 

[Anonymous]

Kevin,
Your tank is really to small to keep any tang for any real span of time. Having said that, a small yellow, scopas or purple tang will be OK in there for a year or so. Steer clear of the powder blues, even with a larger tank.

Jim

 

[Anonymous]

Anyone know of a tang that would be alright in a 55.

A Kole Tang (Yellow Eye) will be fine in a 55 in my opinion. When I first started I had a Powder Blue in a 55 for about 8 years but it was glaringly obvious that the tank was about 4 feet too short for that fish and I really regretted stuffing it in a 4 foot tank. Most Tangs really need at least 6 feet of swimming space but the Kole isn't as much of an open water fish and it's one of the smallest Tangs and should be available to you locally.

For your Brittle Star I'd suggest avoiding the Green ones. They are effective fish predators once they get larger.

Coral Banded Shrimp often acquire a taste for freshly molted Cleaner Shrimp once they mature and gain some size. I'd suggest a pair of Scarlet Cleaners instead of the Coral Banded.

Patience is probably the most valuable skill in this hobby. Go slow, ask for lots of opinions and then get to work.

 

[Anonymous]

Oh yeah, I always forget about Kole tangs...