I'm getting a 55g tank, stand, live rock, live sand, hang on filters, lights, "plenty of food," salt mix, testing supplies and an adult clown (not sure on the species) off of Craigslist this weekend. I was wondering about tank cycling-if I'm getting a used tank with an established ecosystem, will I need to cycle it for very long after moving it home? I'm guessing that I'll put the fish in a bucket alone, put the live rock in a separate bucket so that it doesn't break the glass and take home as much established water as I can fit in whatever buckets I have with lids for the car ride. Anything I should pick up before I get the tank this weekend?
What kind of filtration do you recommend? I was torn between setting up a sump or just getting a protein skimmer and letting the live rock and sand take care of it, but I should set up a sump to add water volume. (I know very little about saltwater filtration, but I've been reading up on it.)
Will my new clown be ok in a bucket for a couple of hours while I'm setting up and settling the tank? Should I set up a temporary 10g with some live rock and an aerator for him for a couple of days? I don't want him stressed out. What's the best temporary home for him?
Any advice would be much appreciated and thanks in advance! I'm very experienced in freshwater things, but I've never done anything with saltwater and keeping my clown healthy and comfortable while I'm getting the tank settled is my top priority. (And I'm prepared to drop some money to set up my system correctly.)
Here's the picture from the Craigslist ad, by the way.
What kind of filtration do you recommend? I was torn between setting up a sump or just getting a protein skimmer and letting the live rock and sand take care of it, but I should set up a sump to add water volume. (I know very little about saltwater filtration, but I've been reading up on it.)
Will my new clown be ok in a bucket for a couple of hours while I'm setting up and settling the tank? Should I set up a temporary 10g with some live rock and an aerator for him for a couple of days? I don't want him stressed out. What's the best temporary home for him?
Any advice would be much appreciated and thanks in advance! I'm very experienced in freshwater things, but I've never done anything with saltwater and keeping my clown healthy and comfortable while I'm getting the tank settled is my top priority. (And I'm prepared to drop some money to set up my system correctly.)
Here's the picture from the Craigslist ad, by the way.
