very new

[2puppies]

Hello all this is my first post. I just bought a 55 gal set up. Well set up for fresh water. I want to have a salt water set up with live rock and a few fish. I am concerned though with everything I have read that I might be in over my head. Is it as hard to keep a salt water tank alive as I am reading? I just dont want to screw this up I dont want to kill anything because I jumped in to soon with out knowing what I need to. I have a great salt water store near me that I have been talking to. They said I should get the tank set up and add live rock and sand the same day. Is this correct? If the rock is a live shouldnt the tank cylce first? I know this is different then fresh water but we always added a few gold fish for a month or so before we added other fish. Salt water is not the same with the cylce? Goodness I hope this does not sound as dumb as I feel

[charlie]

Hey, welcome to Reefland, glad to have you.

Noting your location, I almost have to believe that Premium Aquatics might be that store. If you listen to them, you are gonna be off to a good start. If it isn't PA, your guys are right on. You can definitly cycle your tank with the rock in it, That's how I did it, and it worked for me. Just take your time with the cycle, get a couple of good books about saltwater tanks, kick back and watch the fun start. Good luck, be sure to ask more questions, there are some real good people here that are always willing to help.

[2puppies]

Thank you Charlie the store is called Exotics & Aquatics in South Bend IN. They seem to be pretty smart on tanks. Charlie do I start right off with the skimmer? And how much live rock do you suggest for a 55? Sand I think the store told me was half inch cover on bottom. Again thank you for your fast reply.

[charlie]

Thank you Charlie the store is called Exotics & Aquatics in South Bend IN. They seem to be pretty smart on tanks. Charlie do I start right off with the skimmer? And how much live rock do you suggest for a 55? Sand I think the store told me was half inch cover on bottom. Again thank you for your fast reply.

You are doing a fish only, correct? I would start right off with a skimmer, it is one of the most important parts of your system, and always will be.
I would go with between 45-50 lbs of rock, you are gonna want some room for your fish to hide and yet be free to swim around.
I would go with at least a 2" sandbed, but that is just personal experience. Do a little more research here, and wherever, to make your decision.

[2puppies]

Charlie thank you again for your reply. I am going to do more research I have been reading for a while now but there is so much to read. I might just put in the sand and rock and wait months or longer before I even think about fish.

[charlie]

That wouldn't hurt at all.

[tray262]

Just another added piece of info, One thing I would seriously concider it the water you are putting into your tank. I just started a couple of months ago. And I'm having some troubles. I think we've figured out that a lot of my troubles are coming from my tap water. I would suggest that you get some sort of water fitler. Pref. a ro/di unit. I'm getting mine this weekend.

My set up
150 gal. tall. 48x24x30
200 lbs live rick
4"-5" Sand,
Skimmer rated for 300gals. With builtin skimmer box.
Ocean Clear Mech. filter. with a 960gph high head pump.
Two 300 watt heaters.
8 Bulb tek T5 fixture.

My levels are all good, but I keep losing fish.

So Like I said concider your water. Which something that I did not as much as I should have.