New to salt

I am going to be getting a salt tank in the next 2 months. I currently have freshwater tanks and am taking the dive to salt lol. The tank I am getting is currently up and running. It is a 50 or 55 gallon can't remember Has live sand and fish in it. Has a 50 or 55 gallon sump with a refugium built in. I will be getting live rock with with it as well, but will need to get some base rock. I am wanting to add more sand to it. Should I add live sand or regular sand or does it matter?

This is what I'm looking at stock wise, although it will be months down the line before fish actually go in.

Misc Fish:

Flaming Angel
Blackcap Basslet
Strawberry Basslet
Red Scooter Blenny
Clown Fish

Gobies:

Yellow Watchman
Blue and/or green Mandrin
Purple Firefish

Wrasses:

Melanurus Fairy- Don't think I like it anymore, but up in the air
McCoskers Flasher

Mushrooms:

Blue Florida Ricordea
Orange Florida Ricordea
Green Florida Ricordea
Green and Blue/Purple Bullseye

Corals:

Purple Garf Bonsia
Blue Acropora
Orange Sun
Aussie Dragon Soul Reverse Prism Faula
Metalic Green Torch

Zoas:

LA Lakers
Strawberry Garden
Eagle Eye
Eye Of Jupiter
African Blue Hornet
Alph and Omegus

Sea Fans:

Orange Tree- Up in air

Hermit Crabs:

Blue Leg
Electric Blue
Scarlet
Halloween

Shrimp:

Peppermint
Scarlet Skunk
Blood Red
Golden Coral Banded- May have to settle with this
Blue Body Coral Banded- Want this, but may not be available
Saron

Sea Slugs: They look cool so still on list but won't get them

Chamberlain Nudibranch
Purple and Yellow Nudibranch
Velvet Nudibranch

Fan Worms:

Yellow and Red Fountain Head
Flourescent Green


If anyone has any other fish ideas let me know. Like I said I'm new to salt lol

 

Hello!

11 fish is way too many for a 50-55 gallon. Id keep it at six or less.

If you add sand to an established system, add dry sand and do it slowly, like a couple cups a week so that you dont destroy the current sand bed that houses bacteria and micro life.

 

Oh an angelfish might nip at corals.

And acropora is a difficult coral to keep that requires perfect water conditions and high light. What light will you have?

Mandarin dragonnettes are also hard to keep. They require atleast 100lbs of established live rock for pod hunting.

 

10 fish in a 55 is a large bio load....but that's a big sump and fuge..so, it may be cool.
live sand or live rock..or dry sand or dry rock...Don't matter what you add..JMO.. You still have to cycle the tank...this will be a new build right? ...or established....if established...refer to Swims with fishes. : )
I love your wish list !!!
Welcome to 3Reef !!!!

 

@SwimsWithFish Can't remember what light is on it, but will probably upgrade it later down the road. The Mandarin I will get is tank raised so not much of an issue. Thank you very much on the sand advise. Should all the sand be added before the rocks? Also what size sand should be used? I will weed out fish as I research them more, but I am known for over stocking tanks lol.

@lilllys Grandad The tank has been running for a year, but my friend upgraded to a 210 gallon so I'm getting this one from them lol. All they did was take out the rocks and fish. Left some plants and put diff fish in to keep the cycle going.

I've been reading about tigger cepods in a bottle. Are they any good or a waste of money?

 

Make sure the mandarin is eating prepared foods! I would put egg crate on the glass, then put down the rock to your liking, then add sand. I would do a mixture of .5-.1mm sand with sugar sand. Rinse the sugar sand WELL.

 

Best pick-up a kickass protein skimmer for all that poop!!!

 

I wouldn't use egg crate. I never under stood this, the sand will protect the bottom from falling rock if you have any, the egg crate prohibits sand sifting critters from freely moving around in your sand bed. JMO

 

That's alot of fish, but maybe close to doable! I'd drop the banded shrimp, they like to kill stuff! Also read up on the nudibranches!

Make sure ya have a rodi unit and awesome protein skimmer for that bioload and WC's you'll need to do!

Welcome to 3reef!

 

I have a Kent Marine Nautilus LE protein skimmer. Is it any good? I can get a better one if needed.

Have RODI set up and will be using red sea coral pro salt.

Fish wise I will not be getting the Sea Cucumbers, Cardinals, Yellow Watchman Goby, Coral Banded, or Strawberry Basslet. I am looking to throw a Gold Assessor Basslet in instead if it will work.

When I go to add inverts and shrimp do they all get freshwater dipped or quarantined?

This is the order I'm looking to stock it. Suggestions welcome.

1st: Hermit Crabs
2nd: Shrimp
3rd: Clownfish
4th: Purple Firefish
5th: McCoskers wrasse
6th: Blue or Green mandrin
7th: Blackcap basslet and Gold Assessor Basslet
8th: Flame Angel

Was wondering when I should start adding the corals and mushrooms. Should I get them all added before getting the Flame Angel or can I add more after I get the Flame?

I know I'm playing Russian roulette with the angel....