Ketchup's New Tank Newbie Needs Help

[PacketsofKetchup]

Hello Everyone,

I would first like to say hello to all on the forum and let you all know that this is the first forum I have ever been on, so my apologies in advance if I am not up with all the newest things and places to put things on here.

My tank:

55 Gallon Tank
40" tall and 49" wide homemade stand
Marineland Sea Clone 150 Protein Skimmer
Marineland Emperor 280 Filter System
40# Aragonite Fiji Pink Crushed Coral
40# Bio-Activ Live Aragonite Reef Sand Natural White
40# Ocean Direct Caribbean Live Sand

Fish:

(1) Blue and Yellow Bi-Color Angel


To be honest guys.....This is how the system is sitting right now with everything going as it is supposed to. I am trying to "cycle" the tank as I have been told, but here locally we don't get much help as their isn't alot of vendors around so any help or opinions would be appreciated. I have no live rock in it as of yet, I am hoping to get it tonight or tommorow unless someone thinks I should hold off. I have added a pic to let everyone see what it is that I am dealing with. Is there anything wrong with putting larger rocks in the tank for base rock and putting live rock on top of it? Is a power head a must for cross pumping of water? Please do advise I would love to show you all pictures however, for some reason it will not allow me to upload them. I have cut down the pics to the right size and made sure I was under the kb criteria...doesn't make sense

[nice427]

welcome to TRT to post pictures you need to go to the gallery witch is a tab up near the top and then scroll down to u see upload and them up load them to your gallery and then you can add them..

[PacketsofKetchup]

Thank you kindly!

[Loverotties]

Welcome to TRT! The best is to get all the rock now.But I'm confused?You said your cycling it but you have an Angel in their?That's not good for the fish at all!

[PacketsofKetchup]

I have added the pics in the gallery area for members i believe LOL.....Alot of information to suck in, in a short period of time. Yes mam, the local fish store told me it would be ok. As I said in the previous statement, I am basically driving blind here and I have came here for help Also, I am not really sure if I am cycling it or not.....might be looking at a really large tank of water with a fish in it and really nice light bulbs

[nice427]

Loverotties is 200% correct if ytour cycling your tank you shouldnt have any fish in there..

[nice427]

how long has your tank been runing?

[PacketsofKetchup]

Okay...here is what happened so far in a nuttshell. Went to my local fish store and told them I wanted to start up a saltwater tank. They sold me everything that I had mentioned and gave me a list of things to do, which i have done. The tank has been running since Saturday night about 8 pm. I am not really sure if I am cycling or not. I just put everything in like I was told and they told me it was okay to put a test fish in? Please look at the pics so you know exactly what I am talking about. I feel like an idiot but I am trying to gain as much knowledge as quickly as I can here

[OIIIIIO]

Don't take this the wrong way, but first thing to do is take the fish back to the store. It's not going to be a healthy fish if it does survive. Just having the fish in there started a cycle. It will take time for bacteria to build up and right now the only place for the bacteria to live is in your sand and filter media.

After that, you'll have to give us some more information about what you want to accomplish with the tank. Do you only want only fish? Do you want any coral and if so, what kinds? This information will help us recommend lighting, filtration, time periods before adding livestock and in what order, etc.

It's best to stop, back up, and do your research before going in full speed making mistakes that cost you later. TRT is a great place to ask questions and get information.

[PacketsofKetchup]

No, I want fish with the live rock as well as anenomes and so fourth. I am assuming by what you have said and you have looked at my equipment and that it will not be adequate based on your saying of giving recommendations on lighting and so on....I do not take offense to anything so don't hesitate with answers...I have made this a priority because the wife wants it so badly

[OIIIIIO]

I looked at the equipment and the pictures. It can be adequate, but your tank needs more time to cycle before adding fish. I can't go into too much detail since I'm at work, but here's some reading for you on what happens during a cycle and how fish can be affected by ammonia poisoning:

http://faq.thekrib.com/begin-cycling...w-much-ammonia
http://fins.actwin.com/aquatic-plant.../msg00139.html

[PacketsofKetchup]

Thank you for the reading.......and I appreciate you taking the time!

[Mr.Peanut]

Yes, your tank is too young for fish. Take it back to the store. Adding a fish after 6 weeks is kinda early. Your tank isn't 6 days old yet.

One of the first things I was told here is............The only thing that happens fast in this hobby are the mistakes.

Welcome and TRT will get you on the right track!