petlover516

hi everyone! im Tyler, a kid who loves pets, and I am doing a science project on fish and if they relieve stress. im setting up a 55-gallon saltwater "FOWLR" tank. right now i have the tank, stick-on thermometer, salt mix, hood, 2 40W lights(1 perfect-A-light, 1 cool white), an old power filter that will make a good refugium, a gravel vacuum, and a dresser thats been tested to support 800 lbs as a stand. dont go blabbing about the stand. my dads a garage door person and used to be a carpenter so he definately knows what hes talking about, as he is also a very experienced fish keeper as well. right now, the only supplies needed are protein skimmer, substrate, live rock, and (if they are mandatory) test kits for alkalinity, calcium, and phosphate. right now i only have test kits for pH, NO2, NO3, and NH4. for tankmates, i need colorful fish. i was thinkin':

-1 royal gramma=3 inches(purple/yellow)
-2 O' clowns=7 inches(orange/white)
-2 red firefish=6 inches(beige/red)
-1 6-lined wrasse=3 inches(indigo/red/green)
-1 pygmy angelfish=3 inches(blue/gold)
-1 green clown goby=1.5 inches(green/red)

at 23.5 inches in 55 gallons i doubt im overstocking, and what i have listed would = every color of the rainbow. im a pleased viewer of your site and i hope to learn more!

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore tyler!!! sounds like a great adventure ...make sure you get pics and share I know nothing about SW tanks but wanted to welcome you

Lucy

Welcome to Fish Lore.
It sounds like a great experiement.
Good luck.

petlover516

i am in the middle of writing caresheets and am using this sites info!

CWO4GUNNER

Welcome, and hope the tank relives your stress or whoever your science subject will be.

CoryMac

Welcome to "Fishlore"

Speedy

Welcome to the forum Tyler!

MizRamzi

Welcome Tyler

agabr123

welcome!

petlover516

i was reading on the world wide web and found out that many people believe in keeping RGs in pairs. does my idea have enough room for a 2nd RG?

catfishlover123

Welcome to fishlore! Did you cycle your tank?

catfishlover123

Do you have a website?

petlover516

How could i cycle the tank yet? i have no substrate yet. yes i have a website but what i meant to say was that i was using fishlores info.

catfishlover123

Here's a link: http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

petlover516

o don't worry i read fishlores NC page 100 times over.

catfishlover123

You'll find this site very resourcful.

P.S: Did you read the part about how to cycle your tank? It shows that at the very bottom.

petlover516

it is! unfortunatly, it didn't state if RGs should be in pairs or not! i just found out that the lighting will be replaced, so what type of lighting can be used to support some hardy, low-light corals or anemones?

daniomom

According to http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...=53&siteid=21& (Royal Gramma should be kept singly.)
" Since it demonstrates territorial aggression towards its own kind, the Royal Gramma Basslet should be housed singly. However, most Royal Gramma Basslets are peaceful towards tankmates of similar size and temperament. RG's will vigorously guard their favorite hiding places. This member of the Grammidae family prefers extensive rockwork caves in which to hide and somewhat subdued lighting."

dennis

Welcome to fishlore. Saltwater tank is my dream to have. I wanted to increase my fish keeping experience with fresh water than i will definetely have something like you are working on. I love saltwater tanks. Please update us with your journey and share some pictures of your tank.

kimberlyd

Just remember to take it slow...

You have a list of fish you want, but you haven't mentioned if how far into cycling your tank. HOW are you cycling it? Cycling a tank can take quite awhile...a month if I remember correctly.

Have you checked for comapatibility with your fish list?
Do you plan on putting them in all at once? You want to be very slow and careful with this because I started a tank a few years ago and was so excited and anxious to make it pretty that I didn't wait as long as people advised, and, well, it's pretty sad when you have to start flushing fish down the toilet.

You said you are doing live rock with a fish only tank...why? Did you know that if you have to medicate the tank, it will harm the live rock. That's a major bummer.

Just stuff to think about...wish I would've listened and slowed down.
Good luck.

petlover516

im cycling by curing live rock. i plan on setting up a 10-gallon QT for any problems. im not cycling yet, but product reviews of needed items and where i can find them cheap are appreciated!

petlover516

i also meant a male and female RG. how could there be any problems if its male and female (unless, of course, spawning). i have read many books and other websites, all suggesting RGs in pairs.

catfishlover123

Well, good luck with your new tank!

MeGustaUnaPez926

Cool, why don't I ever get science problems like that?

petlover516

no its the discovery fair. so its my science fair project. we get to choose what project we do.

offminded

wow...what an idea...keep us posted!

petlover516

unfortunately, i found out SW will be way too expensive. i think i will now do a FW amazon tank.