Newbie needs help setting up saltwater aquarium...

[tampa4]

I'm converting a 55 gal tank from freshwater to saltwater, and I need some advice in doing just that. I currently have an emperor 400 filter in use with my freshwater tank, and my first question is, will that suffice for my saltwater tank, or will I need something else/better instead? A guy at a local saltwater fish store highly recommended the Amiracle sl-5 system, which is both a filter and includes a protein skimmer. Is that a good system to use, or is there a better filter on the market? Finally, any other general advice would be appreciated in regard to simply getting the tank up and running. Thanks.

 

[pleder]

The needed equipment will greatly depend on what you are hoping to house. What are your plans for the tank.

 

[tampa4]

I plan on housing live rock of course, and 5-6 small to medium sized fish, such as a yellow tang, clownfish, striped burrfish/spiny box puffer, etc. Since I have a relatively small tank, I'm going to be careful in the type of fish and number I have in my tank. Also, how important is it to use reverse osmosis water only for my tank?

 

[blout]

and 5-6 small to medium sized fish, such as a yellow tang, clownfish, striped burrfish/spiny box puffer, etc.

a yellow tang is not a good choice for this tank set up as they need a minimum of a 100gallon tank with lots of swimming space as for the puffer they are harder to keep than most fish and need a minimum of 70 gallon and they are semi-aggresive and like the tang needs plenty of swimming space. as for the clowns they will be fine in that size tank you will just have to think about other tank mates for them.


please read this thread about looking after tangs you will find it really helpful http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=76847

 

[Navarre]

55 gallons is a definate no no for tangs.

Hpwever, there are other colourful and lively alternatives. Dwarf angels like coral bueaties or flame angels are ideal for a tank of this soze.
Box fish are really a bit risky to keep as they can make the tank go toxic if they are streessed and this will of course kill your tank. Puffers are quite aggressive and will outgrow the tank too


Hope this helps and welcome to the forum by the way!

 

[tampa4]

Thank you very much for your replies. Well, I guess that rules out Tangs and the spiny box puffer (though I was REALLY set on a puffer.) I guess I'll stick with clowns and dwarf angles for now, then perhaps a jawfish in due time. Any other advice would be appreciated.

 

[tampa4]

One last question---I assume I should only use ro/di water, even if/when I do small water changes? Is it possible to use filtered water that perhaps is conditioned as well? If not, I guess I should look at investing in a ro/di system, as making regular trips to the pet store for ro/di water will become a pain after a while.