My first salrwater fish tank

[Bms0565]

Hi everybody my name is Brian I'm new to salt water fish tank I started my fish tank last week with the crushed coral salt water mixture and everything's been running for a week now I'm playing the waiting game before I add fish taking everything slowly any advice would be much appreciated

 

[carey]

Here's a great link since you just started and you will want to cycle your tank

Cycle your salt tank

Welcome to the forum btw!!

 

[redsea]

Welcome to the forum! Be sure to check out the link above

 

[Bms0565]

Thanks I'll do that

 

[Hinds04]

Did you do something to start a cycle?

 

[Bms0565]

Did you do something to start a cycle?

Not yet I just found out I need to put in a shrimp in my tank it's 40 gal will two shrimp do and I need to get some live rock

 

[Rutrag]

Not yet I just found out I need to put in a shrimp in my tank it's 40 gal will two shrimp do and I need to get some live rock

I would think one shrimp will be enough to get you started. It's just going in to get some food for the beneficial bacteria you want to grow. I don't think you'll gain any benefit (and it might actually smell worse) from doubling up.

 

[carey]

You ideally want to get your ammonia level up to 4ppm. And be able to sustain that while the cycle progresses. I use pure ammonia, no stink and you can dose right to where you want it. You may have to add additional shrimp as time goes on though. Good trick, put the shrimp in a panythose foot, a brand new one, or a womans knee high stocking so removal of the decomposed shrimp is easier.

 

[Bms0565]

You ideally want to get your ammonia level up to 4ppm. And be able to sustain that while the cycle progresses. I use pure ammonia, no stink and you can dose right to where you want it. You may have to add additional shrimp as time goes on though. Good trick, put the shrimp in a panythose foot, a brand new one, or a womans knee high stocking so removal of the decomposed shrimp is easier.

Should I keep the filter and heater on why it's cycling

 

[carey]

Yep for sure. you want the filter to also have the beneficial bacteria in it. More bacteria the better.

 

[Bms0565]

Looking to get a powerhead I have a 40 gallon tank should I get one for 40 gallon or larger

 

[Rutrag]

Aquarium Water Pumps & Water Movement: Marineland Maxi-Jet PRO

I have a 37 and got the 600 model in the link above and set it up as a water circulating pump. I found it was too much for my LPS (and sand for that matter) and had to really reposition some rockwork to deflect a lot of flow. If I had to do it over, I definitely would have gotten the 400. If I needed more, I could have simply added another 400. Two smalls beats one big in case you loose one, and it offers more flexibility for placement, etc.

 

[carey]

For a 40g tank I like the Koralia powerheads, i'd go with 2 550's.

 

[Bms0565]

For a 40g tank I like the Koralia powerheads, i'd go with 2 550's.

I'll pick one up. Lost 3 Damsels this week and I got them Friday

 

[rdnelson99]

Are you trying to do a cycle with fish? If those were the only 3 fish you had I would recomend finishing as a "fishless" cycle. Much more humane. Here is a very good article that will help you out. I think you will be glad if you go this route.

Cycle your salt tank

 

[Bms0565]

I have a Aiptasia Anemone growing in my tank is that bad

 

[carey]

It's not a good thing. i would work on getting rid of them before they spread.

 

[Bms0565]

It's just on one small rock I'll just get rid of the rock