Hey guys

Hey Hey everyone. My name is Mike and I'm 26 and live in Orlando, FL. I'm new to the saltwater aquarium hobby and excited to get started. My plan is to do either a 40 gallon breeder or 55 gallon reef tank with sump system. I want to do a bunch of cool coral, inverts, and of course a clean up crew. My fish I'd like to add are: 2 clowns (one orange and white, one black and white), 1 royal gramma, 1 lawnmower blennie, and a tang of some sort (blue hippo, yellow, kole, or powder blue). Any comments you guys have on my future setup or input or just things you'd like to say feel free. My system is on paper right now making sure I have everything planned before I start purchasing. Great forum guys and keep up the good work.

Mike

 

welcome to 3reef.

a tang will out grow those tanks after a few years.

 

Ya the people at the local shop said I'd need at least like 70 or 75 tang. So if I do get one and it out grows the tank what are my options? Can I sell it back to the store or what can happen?

 

depends on the store most locally owned fish stores will give you store credit roughly half the value of the fish.

 

prolly shouldnt get one at all they stress out in the small space yellow tang if any there pretty tough was the first fishi bought when i started and i still have the same one 3 years later its my only surving fish lol. having changed tanks about 4 times my shed is fullof them. so i guess thats a not to research a lot know what you want know how to do it dont rush or you will waste thousands like i have. having said that your going to make mistakes learn from them. read about cycling, ich, algae etc..

 

welcome to 3 reef GO24JUNIOR

some nice tangs mentioned there the yellow and the Kole should be OK for a while in a 4ft tank ( 55 is 4ft I believe)

the regal is an ich magnet and in a larger tank probably going to be less of a problem
the powder blue in a 55 is going to break your heart IMHO

Steve

 

GO24JUNIOR,
welcome to 3reef!
I like your plan other than the tang, as the others have mentioned they will out grow the tanks before you know it. I personally feel the 40breeder has a few advantages over the 55 for a beginner.
55 Gallons 48Lx13Wx21H
40B Gallons 36Lx18Wx16H
while the 55 is longer it is not wide enough to properly aquascape your rock without causing flow problems. The wider 40B give an extra 6" to help create a design that allows water flow behind and around the rock helping prevent dead spots to collect detritus in.
The 40B is also shallower so will require a less powerful light fixture to get you started, once you have gained some experience and are ready to specialize your focus you can upgrade to an appropriate fixture for your needs.
Lastly, when your ready to go big the 40B makes an excellent sump

1 last thing...





For those of you joining us that are new to the hobby - the best piece of advice you'll get around here as a saltwater newbie is 3Reef's slogan
"Go slow, let it grow."
And for those experienced hobbyists joining us - it's still good advice
good luck and post pics soon

 

I recently lost all my fish (within 24hrs) and I think the origin was a stressed out Kole Tang, even though he was still small enough for the tank. You have to remember that it's not the size of the Tang for tank but the amount of room that they have to swim in.

 

Welcome to 3reef! Kudo's for researching before you set up. That's a very good habit to get into. IMO the two most important pieces of equipment in a reef set up are the lights and skimmer so my advice to you here is don't skimp on quality to save some money or I guarantee you'll end up buying them twice.

 

Hello and welcome to 3reef