55 gallon tank- beginner needs help!

[mrslexy]

Hello! So I have been frying my brain here guys and I seriously need help! I want to get a cycle started on my tank... Problem is I can't decide on a filter system :O
So we inherited our tank from my neighbor. They were awesome they gave us the tank, salt, filter (marineland emperor 400), huge base rock, great lighting, sand ( but we will be getting live sand). Problem is I don't think I want to run it on the emperor 400 and was leaning towards a canister filter ( fluval 406) and was pretty much set on that until we went to about 6 local fish stores for advice. Most of them said we "NEED" a sump system except one. He was really supportive of the canister system and told us everyone is going to say that the canister is a nitrate factory but we should use chem pure elite instead of carbon being that we want predator fish and no coral. I need some great advice because I left that store confident that it was what I wanted, but was discouraged by others telling is it won't work out.>:| please hellllllllllp!


Ps* live rock and sand are on the list of things to buy

 

[bribo12]

Get a nice hob skimmer as well if you want predatory fish. A 55 is on the small size for predators. What did you have in mind? A canister is fine as long as you clean it regularly but the rock, sand and skimmer would be your main filtration. Te canister would just be for media

 

[mrslexy]

I want a puffer for sure, porcupine to be exact but we have a great local fish store that will be getting some small ones in so when it's time to upgrade we will be moving to a bigger tank. A Valentini puffer would be our next option. We want a dwarf lion and possibly a grouper? Not sure on other tank mates yet. All of this is still up in the air, I just want to get my tank going.
The other route we may go is clown and butterfly or tangs not sure yet. Whatever we decide I am starting small. oh and invertebrates!

 

[bribo12]

I want a puffer for sure, porcupine to be exact but we have a great local fish store that will be getting some small ones in so when it's time to upgrade we will be moving to a bigger tank. A Valentini puffer would be our next option. We want a dwarf lion and possibly a grouper? Not sure on other tank mates yet. All of this is still up in the air, I just want to get my tank going.
The other route we may go is clown and butterfly or tangs not sure yet. Whatever we decide I am starting small. oh and invertebrates!

As long as you have upgrades in the future the puffer is ok at a tiny size. Valentines fit perfectly, same with a dwarf lion. I would skip butterflies. Just difficult feeders and tough to keep healthy. Tang wise you could do a kole or tomini possibly but that is a lot of large fish for a 55. I'd pick 3-4 and leave it at that. I wouldn't do a grouper, they get big fast. However a marine betta may work.

 

[mrslexy]

Ohhh that's an idea! Our neighbor has a 2 puffers (porcupine and blue spotted), blue hippo, and 2 clown fish. What do you think of that combination?

 

[bribo12]

I mean as long as you get the porc and hippo tiny it doesn't sound unreasonable. Just realize both them will need at least a 180 in a year and a half or so. I'm not a big upgrading fan as life can get in the way of our plans but I do understand.

 

[TheTodd]

I just saw the "...possibly a grouper..." Cross that off your list . They get big and they get big fast.

 

[Stinky Pete]

I have a Valantini and he is an awesome fish. He just slowly cruises the tank all day searching for food. I have lots of coral and he will occasionally eye then but rarely nips. I will say its a good idea to keep these guys good and fat tho. He eats raw shrimp right out of my hand.