First time fresh to salt.

[lreilly]

Well my gold fish and koi are going to go to a new home next week. And there current tank (55gal) is going to be my first dip into salt. I have been planning this for a little while now, but still have a few questions. I ordered black moon sand, it is at the lfs waiting for me. I am going to pick up a protein skimmer and a couple of power heads, oh ya the salt too. As of now the tank has a Emperor 400 filter on it. It has the standard lighting and I cant upgrade it right now, so I wanted to do a fish only type of thing.

Now my questions start . Will two clowns, thats what I want, do ok in this. I know that live rock is is a huge plus right now but can I do a good happy tank with out it. Should I drain all of the water that is in there now and start new or will some of that water be all right. If I need to have the other things, not including the tests , hydometer and so on, I will have to wait. Just got a new camera, car, and planning a trip , so money is limited for this.

I guess that I am being impatient by wanting to start it now. If the fish would suffer I will just start stocking every thing up now. And have more to start with later.

Thanks for any input.

 

[Anemoneman]

The fish may not suffer (they may) but you will. Many problems with water quality and algae can be avoided by doing it right the first time. If I were doing it all over, having the benefit of 10+ years experience, I would save up for 60-70lbs high quality LR, 2 175W MH lights, a good quality return pump, a sump (either store bought or DIY), pvc pipe for plumbing, and a good oversize protein skimmer. I would even sell the 55 and buy a 75. The small difference in size makes a HUGE difference in your new reef. I know you said FO but it will be a reef sooner or later so might as well make it sooner. A full on reef is easier to maintain than a FO.

 

[lreilly]

Thanks. That is what I had gathered from reading here. I had just hoped that for the sake of a smaller set up that it was avoidable. But I think you are right about it ending up as a reef. I could see that happening. I think that I will stock pile for a little longer.