New to Saltwater...Got Stocking Questions

[the curious]

I just started converting my freshwater into a saltwater system. I am cycling w mollies, and am planning on getting live rock and a couple turbo snails once my parameters are ready.

I would like to stock the tank with a Heniochus Black & White Butterflyfish, a Bicolor Angelfish, and a Longnose Hawkfish. Would that be overstocked?


Thanks guys

[7digits]

First question would be how big is the tank. The Heniochus needs a whole lot of space. Most aquariums are too small for it. Also, very important. GET LIVE ROCK NOW!!! during the cycle.

[Parrothead]

+1 7digits, if you don't cycle with the live rock in the tank, when you add it, cured or uncured you will experience another cycle, length of cycle depends on the rock, also I would get you sand in the tank as well, don't fall for the live sand in bag trick, just get some plain old dry aragonite, carib-sea makes some good stuff,

Additionally, start looking for a protein skimmer, can't recommend one till I find out how big your tank is

By the way, Welcome to Reeflands

[the curious]

Sorry, forgot to say that its a 55 gallon. Gotta seal a spot on my skimmer before I get it running, but I plan to do that soon. I'll get on the live rock asap, just gotta wait till payday.

I have been looking around a bit, but I keep running into feeding and compatibility issues for fish that will fit in my tank. I only have two 15watt florescent bulbs, so I can't support any photosynthetic life. I like the idea of having a couple larger fish than keeping many smaller fish...I do want a couple turbo snails though.

I know I'm a salt newb, but thanks for the help guys.

[7digits]

If you don't want coral your lights will be fine. If you want coral you will need more light. I'm not to sure about fish, I'm a bit more into coral and have a smaller tank than you. Just don't even think of adding a Tang. A 55g is still kinda small for a lot of fish.

[leebca]

It doesn't sound like you may be getting good advice from whomever is guiding you through the process of setting up your marine aquarium. (I'm not talking about the people posting here).

I think you should do a lot of reading and learning. Asking questions is a very slow way of determining what to do. There is a lot to do and know.

I suggest you stop what you are doing and read through this post: Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium

Then, you sit down and start a plan. First, what do you want (what kind of marine life forms you want to keep), then you determine the kind of system you want/need for those life forms, then you start putting it all together. Reading that link above (and the links within that post) will give you a bigger picture of the process and the things you'll need to do and be prepared to do.

Good luck!

[rluix]

Do not cycle with mollies, or any other kind of fish to be exact, its simply cruel and can lead to a system crash ( fish get ick, use copper medication, copper makes it impossible to add any kind of inverts, including snails, and copper also hurts the fish )

I can't believe anyone talked to you about this alredy.
To cycle a saltwater tank correctly you will need live rock and sand from the start, otherwise the bacteria will have no surface to reproduce and so no cycle begins or finish's.
Right now you are just hurting the poor molly's.

[Parrothead]

rluix,

Lee already got him over to the research about setting up and cycling the tank, so he will figure out that using fish is a no-no, but just wanted to point out, he never said anything about a Batfish;)

[rluix]

rluix,

Lee already got him over to the research about setting up and cycling the tank, so he will figure out that using fish is a no-no, but just wanted to point out, he never said anything about a Batfish;)

Right, right! i misunderstood one of the fish names, sorry