OK I need some info

[go'ncrazy4fish]

Alright as you know from my last post I am fairly new to this whole saltwater world. Well I have a few things in my tank..
Trigger fish
2 Damsales
coral banded shark
2 pieces of live rock ( 1 with a small mushroom)
anamoe ( excuse the spelling )
And just dead rock for show.

My queston is what should I buy next? I have had my friend Angie help me so much. She has givin me everything I have in my tank....
So if you have any suggestions, or know anyone who might have something they might part with to help me out just let me know. I am always looking for new Fish stores too. Anyways I thank all of you with your nice comments. I hope to attend the meeting in Valpo with Angie...
So take care
Melissa
" go'n crazy"

[ckusnierek]

Well it depends on what you plan long term for the tank. If a Reef is what you want. You should look at your lighting and filtration...

How big is your tank?
What type of lighting do you have?
What type of filtration?


converting a FO into a reef can be tricky...
since you already have fish you will need to add live rock very slowly. When you add rock you have a "mini cycle" the amonia produced could kill al the fish. If someone could babysit (the fish) for a few week/month that would be great.

After getting the rock in there You will need to look into your filtration. A skimmer is best fro a tank over 30-40 gallons. You can do it with out but you will need todo more and larger water changes.

Lighting will need to be addressed before you add any corals.

[1-900-REEF]

Since you have a Trigger & a shark, definitely stay away from snails, shrimps, & crabs.
I don't think you'll be able to go reef as long as you have that shark, It will add too much bio load. A big skimmer will be mandatory as he grows.

Like Chris said, it all depends on your long term plans for the tank.

[luvmylo]

what size is that tank??? I'm concerned about the size and needs of that shark unless the tank is ATLEAST 200 gal. The shark is going to grow fast, needs optimal water conditions. I would also get a titanium grounding probe to go into that tank for the shark because even the smallest electrical current (one that coral, fish, you or I can't detect) will screw with him and stress him out. i wouldn't add anything though. Enjoy your shark. I wish I had the guts to try one.

[1-900-REEF]

+1
I like sharks too but it's going to get big fast.

[Jnicho]

I agree, sharks are best kept in a big dedicated tank. They grow fast and need lots of room to swim. Reef tank and shark tank are 2 different animals. As far as that goes when I had a trigger he rearranged the whole tank for me. Again, they really belong in a predator tank and won't do well in a reef setup.

That's my $.02

[grallster]

I would ditch the shark--unless you've got a huge tank, you're going to have problems. Plus, sharks need alot of swimming room--meaning that you can't have very much rock in there for it to be comfortable. This equals very low substrate for bacteria/nitrogen cycle to work on (then again, unless you have a huge tank). In that case, you might need a trickle filter--not to mention you'll need a huge skimmer anyways (probably rated at 5X your actual tank volume) to deal with it's huge appetite/waste.

[go'ncrazy4fish]

Thanks guys...Well my tank is only a 55 gallon now..(long) and the shark is about 8 inches long. I seem him swim at night and he is eating fine... But yeah I am afraid he will get big fast. I have only had him about a week. My trigger is doing well. Not to much rearanging yet! My damsials move more than he does. I have a few pieces of live rock... I think I am only going to do live rock and fish no hard corals or anything. If that is possable! So I will stay away from shrimp and stuff.
I have a 350 magnum canister filter and a decent size skimmer, a couple of power heads. I am using a 50/50 lite and also atinic and compact floresent... so anyways. thanks for the help!
melissa

[Goingpoor]

u have a seaclone 100

[Goingpoor]

she just wonts to do fish only she bought my trigger from me...and she plans on upgrading...

[bklynmet]

it's tough sometimes when you post and people seem to be against you or steering you away from something... there is usually a reason for it and most of the time it's to help you out so you and your animals are happy long term....

one thing i've learned in this hobby is that there is more than one way to do things... people may try to influence you into getting a skimmer (it's a good idea and I'd recommend one) but not having one doesn't mean that you'll be unsuccessful... it just means you have to be on top of doing water changes or lightly stocking your tank, etc.

do homework... ask questions... and don't be afraid to ask questions... never accept someone's advice at face value unless you believe it to be true.. how do you know if it's true? you ask further questions asking them to explain themselves...

now take the shark example... people have been advising you to not have the shark... the next questions would be why? why is it inadvisable to have a shark? what do i need to do to keep a shark? then try to ask on the general discussion board or the fish only board for only people who have or had sharks to give you their opinions... why them, because they likely know more of what it takes to keep a shark than those who haven't...

[ckusnierek]

Ditto to what Joe said, there are alot of people with lots or opinions on set ups and such. I asked a ton of advice and took it all to heart and usually stuck with the most common response. In the end you will learn how to do thing YOUR way. Somtimes you will fail and learn from that experience. That is the best way to figure most things out. Remember we are all here to help. What works for some may not work for others.

Now for the shark....
****this is what I do***
Before I buy any live stock I go to either marinecenter.com or liveaquaria.com and look at the requirements and compatibility of fish and coral before I get them. No offence to anyone but IMHO it is unfair to the living creature to keep it in an enviroment below what it needs. Be it space, or biological requirements.

[tufacody]

I agree completely with the last two posts. However, people can and should incorporate their moral and ethical opinions as well as the technical ones, so long as they do it constructively. I remember when I was a kid and my mom was so proud of her fur coats. Then overnight it was considered unethical. She no longer enjoyed her coats and sold them. There is an aspect of that which is very true to this hobby as well. Even if you don't have an ethical problem with something, it doesn't mean that you won't be bummed out if everyone else does. Its sometimes nice to consider those things first before spending $$$ on something you might regret because you didn't think of those considerations as well.

In any event, I prefer when people share that stuff as well as the technical, and don't feel afraid to do so.

[go'ncrazy4fish]

I got the shark a nice home where he will be happy and have lots of room to grow...Thanks for all the advice. I was by in no means trin to be unfair to the fish or anything eles in my tank. I plan to upgrade to something bigger in time. see my husband is not a real big pet fan..so I am trin to ease him into this. lol But I do want everyone to know that I do take everything they say to heart and apply it to the best if my ability.
Thanks for taking the time to read and help me out! It is greatly apprecated!
melissa

[go'ncrazy4fish]

Thanks to Angie also for all the help with my set up of my old tank and my new... your such a wonderful person and I love ya
Missy