New/Full of Questions

I have a 55 gal. SW tank that I started in May 2007 with a 15 gal. refugium below. I have 2 Saddle Clowns, 4 Groemies, 1 Whasse(spelling), 2 ?, 1 Angel. I have 2 aneomies, a mushroom, leather coral and a Torch. Which I just lost 2 of the sections on the Torch. Believe from the temp going between 76-84 any given day. I just purchased a prob-200w with the digital reading and control. It has stayed at 78/80 this past week.
My live sand did have brownish/gray film. My weekly tests have been good.
My daughter would love to ad 2 more Clowns - can I?
How many Coral can I ad? And how many Aneomies? I have T-5 lights over the tank. Plan on getting a protein skimmer in the next 2 mos.
I've enjoyed other folks tanks, gives me ideas. Will post mine when I learn how.
Frustrateing at times.

 

To 3Reef!!!​

Well hopefully we are full of answers.

Forget adding clowns. One, species do not get along together well, unless introduced together. Two, you already have a pretty high bio-load for a 55 gal.

Get skimmer ASAP. Am sure your system cannot keep up with bioload since tank is relatively new. - Probably reason Torch had difficulties rather then temp. :-/

"Frustration'" unfortunately goes along with this hobby. But is well worth the bother. ;D

The Tao of Marine Aquaria
Tips for Our Hobby and Life

© 1997 Adam H. Whitlock
Edited By Elizabeth M. Lukan 11/25/00




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do you have T5's or T5HO's? NO fluorescent T5's in the 48" are like 32w's I think with very low lumens to watt ratio, where as T5HO's actually have more lumens to watts then metal halides.

 

Hello and welcome to 3reef first of all! Glad your water parameters are good and your water temperature is stable.
As for the fish population, I would, as Omard stated, refrain from adding more fish to your already populated tank, in my opinion.
Corals and anemone's really don't go together as anemone's move and can injure, if not kill, your corals!
As for number of corals, it depends on the type of coral, personally as corals require different husbandry requirements and yoy also have to take into consideration their toxicity and sweeper tentacles, therefore, space and position is important within the confines of your tank!
Best of luck with your tank and hope this helps you out!
My advice to you is to read and research before you get into purchasing corals as it is a whole different ballgame than just keeping fish!

 

Welcome to 3Reef. As Coral Reefer suggested reading is the best way to learn, besides the 3Reef site, of course. I've done a little reading on Clowns and it's my understanding that they get territorial and it's recommended to add them as mated pairs rather than separately. I don' know about having 4 in the tank. But, based on what I've learned, I wouldn't.

 

Thank you everyone for your kind words.
My dream is to have no water changes.
I have 2 saddleback clowns - so I will keep it that way.
My lights are 36" T5 that , I was told I can have anything in my tank with no problem.
I am looking into setting up a sump and saveing right now for a skimmer - told they run about $200.
I have also seen a number of videos - love everyones tanks.
Thank you everyone for your helpful words.

 

I had a insanely stocked nano cube. Full of numerous corals. Then I decide to add a anenome, so my faithful fish dealer, gave me store credit for a red open brain, candy cane corals, and some richordeas. Thus huge anenome, ends up with almost empty tank. I like my anenome, but now regret giving up alot of my corals...

 

I placed a lid on my tank today and bought a Goby. Just a reg. goby. I was going to purchase a skimmer but my husband wants to upgrade to a 90 gal. tank.
Will my 15 gal refugium still work? Or am I better of using the old 55 gal. for the refugium, that has mud in it. Plus ad some live rock to the refugium?
What do you think folks? The skimmer we're looking at will do up to 220 gal.

 

If you've put a glass lid on your tank, I would recommend removing it as it will interfere with gas/oxygen exchange at the surface.

As for your refugium, I would stick with the 15 gallon if you decide to upgrade. A 55 gallon refugium is too much for a 90 gallon tank IMO. I wouldn't add live rock to a refugium but a little rubble would be ok.