Setting up new saltwater fish only

[Murica]

Welcome!!!

 

[Dragon52]

 

[yan2pr]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[CasaReefer]

Hi Eric... Welcome to R2R.. Very Exciting Times... Very Strong Salt Community in the Valley... Let us know if you need anything.. :)

 

[reef lover]

Welcometo r2r!

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Welcome aboard. Love a 55. When it comes time for fish just Research the ones appropriate for the size tank.

hes some help on cycling too.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/cycling-an-aquarium.306554/

 

[tdlawdo]

Welcome to the salt block!!

 

[Pau Hana Reefer]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[html]

At least 1 month and start from 1 cheap fish and if it lived 3 weeks you can start adding more

 

[Rilo]

Welcome!

 

[KrisReef]

Arizona, you need a chiller!

If the tank is inside the hous and if you’r house stays ~76F inside then you can skip a heater and the chiller.
Most importantly, Welcome to Reef2Reef!

 

[SPR1968]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[Reefnman2]

Welcome to R2R Eric!

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Welcome to the lagoon, Eric!

 

[Bigbaby]

Welcome to r2r Eric! Looking forward to what your first coral will be. Tehehehe

 

[princesspeach12]

Welcome to R2R! :D

I third a heater!

 

[Samina]

Welcome to R2R!!

 

[Eric H]

So, I’m setting up a new 55 gallon saltwater aquarium for fish, not corals or reef. I had no idea of all the cost involved, but now I do. I built my own stand and got a good deal on the aquarium at Petco. I live in Arizona so the water is terrible, had to buy a RODI system which I set up in my laundry room. I’ll be putting live sand and life rock to start out. I was told that I did not need a heater as these tropical fish are used to colder water. Is that true? I know I need to keep the temperature Between 76 and 82°F. Can this be done without a heater? Another question I have, how long should I let my tank cycle with the live sand before introducing fish? Any other helpful comments Would be appreciated. Eric

Thanks for all of your welcomes and reply’s. Well I’m 10 days since filling my tank. Maybe if I described everything I did members may be able to give me advice. Filled the tank with rodi water, salted to the proper salinity of course. Used live Figi sand and life rock. Am adding 2 capfuls of bioculture each day for 2 weeks as the directions say. Sped up the process by adding a couple of raw shrimp over one night. Immediately my ammonia started to rise. As of today my ammonia is still up but lower each day and nitrites have risen. I can see trace nitrates starting. After taking the shrimp out I added 3 green Chromis that seem to be doing well. Can you guys tell me if I’ve done everything correct? I get a lot of different answers online and from different fish stores. Thanks eric

 

[Eric H]

Thanks for all of your welcomes and reply’s. Well I’m 10 days since filling my tank. Maybe if I described everything I did members may be able to give me advice. Filled the tank with rodi water, salted to the proper salinity of course. Used live Figi sand and life rock. Am adding 2 capfuls of bioculture each day for 2 weeks as the directions say. Sped up the process by adding a couple of raw shrimp over one night. Immediately my ammonia started to rise. As of today my ammonia is still up but lower each day and nitrites have risen. I can see trace nitrates starting. After taking the shrimp out I added 3 green Chromis that seem to be doing well. Can you guys tell me if I’ve done everything correct? I get a lot of different answers online and from different fish stores. Thanks eric

Here’s a pic by the way