Another question bout FO!!

[Francois]

Hello dear forumers,

I have yet new questions about fish only systems.

So, I have a 55 gallon cichlid tank, and I will soon upgrade to a saltwater fish only system with NO LIVE ROCK AT ALL!!

So, here is my question, do I really need a protein skimmer? Things you have to know is that I would have two power filter running, one penguin 350, and one Aquaclear which would act as my biological filtration since I cannot keep bio wheels on the penguin for saltwater. Also, I am VERY good as far as water changes are concerned, and I do them every single weeks, no exceptions.

Another question is, can I re-use the sand I used for cichlids? I will obviously wash it...

And finally, I would rly like it if whoever answers my post, could also post a stocking list of what they would put in a FO 55.

Thank you so much for your comments

Bye

[ToddTT]

Have you seen what comes out of a protein skimmer in just a few days?

Your water quality, and consistency, will be better if you have a protein skimmer. Your fish will be healthier and less stressed. Failures and losses will be less.

Weekly water changes in a saltwater tank sounds like a lot of work, added risk, and cost.

Why no live rock? It has many benefits for your tank and fish. Do you plan on adding any kind of rock?

For 55 gallons, most tangs and triggers are ruled out, as they will be stressed 24/7. For success, stick with smaller species that do not need a lot of room. Your LFS will often give you poor advice in this area, so double check anything they advise.

Chromis, clowns, and blennies might be good choices. Just be careful not to overcrowd your tank, which unfortunately is very easy to do.

You've probably seen it, but there is a sticky here for setting up a tank which might come in handy:

Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium

[Francois]

Thank you for your very helpful reply.

I don't plan on having any triggers, but I do plan on having a blue tang.

To that I'd like to add a flame angel, a goby, a butterflyfish (I have not decided which one yet), and either a small group of chromis, or two clowns...

I'd really like to keep either a lionfish or a dogface puffer...

Let me know what you think of this.

Concerning the protein skimmer, well, yeah, I definitely know that it cleans a lot of gunk, but my LFS told me that I'd be better off adding another good power filter than adding a protein skimmer. He told me that the protein skimmer would only come in handy if I had a lot of live rock. The nitrate level would be too low in a fish only tank.

So, do you think that I really need one if I add another strong power filter?

To answer your question about live rock, I might have a little bit in the tank just for adding more biological filtration, however, I don't want to add too much because I spent A LOT of money on big and magnificient artificial corals, and, so, I want them to fill the aquarium rather than live rock.

I'm really eager to start my saltwater project, and I'm rly happy to be able to talk with people on this forum who have experience on the subject. I've been doing a lot of freshwater stuff, and I've helped many people, and so I'm happy to see that the help I gave in freshwater, I can receivw in saltwater.

Ok, anyways, let me know what you think about what I said.

[leebca]

A protein skimmer is technically an optional piece of equipment. If you are using chemical filtration (e.g., activated carbon) it can be left out of such a system. You need to read other posts in this and other forums here. This is one that goes over needed components of a system and water quality issues: What is Water Quality

In the above post, it covers also about needed water flow.

Substrate can be anything you want. The only concern about substrate is if you choose to want to keep marine life that buries itself into the substrate or sifts through it for food. In this case your choice of substrate sized particles is important.

The choice of marine life you want in the aquarium is very personal. I don't give such advice. However, whatever you want you need to research and determine if it is suitable for that tank and other life forms you may wish to add.

[ToddTT]

You can get a general feel of what tank size is needed, and compatibilities at LiveAquaria.com:

Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Marine Aquariums: Volitan Lionfish, Colored

This link will tell that that you need at least 50 gallons for that particular lionfish. And that it will probably eat your chromis and blenny, for example.

Here's the direct link to the compatibility chart they provide:

Marine Compatability Chart

They are in the business of selling fish, so take that into consideration as well. Although their minimum tank recommendations seem pretty sensible from those I have seen.

[Hunner7]

Hi. Just thought I would throw my 2 cents in here. A blue tang Is not suitable for a 50 or 55 gallon Tank.

Also. why are you going to have no live Rock? Are you going to get any kind?


A blue tang Gets well over a foot long and will outgrow Even a 75 gallon tank. I would suggest the minimum for One blue tang would be About 80 gallons.


as for stocking Correctly


Clowns.
Damsels.
Cleaner Shrimps *awesome <3 :P*
Firefish
Blenny's
Chromis
Flame angel (not until your tank is 4+ months old)



obviously not all of these. just thought i would toss a Few sugegstions in.


i would steer away from the blue tang and go for something smaller.


a Dogfaced puffer will need 100 gallons to themselves as they get 16 inches.

You can put an African butterfly fish in. Which will fill up 20 gallons of your water.

Good luck stocking your tank.