Hi Everyone,
My Name is Nicole and Im not only new to the site, Im new to saltwater too.
I have had freshwater tanks since I could walk and have enjoyed them for many many years..
I have always been in awe of the beauty of saltwater tanks/fish so I finally decided to let go of my fear and just go for it. (what was I thinking?)
I live in Haverhill MA, work full time and Am a single Mother to 4 great kids.. I have a 55 gallon freshwater tank in my bedroom with some very large Angelfish, and some corycats.. In the livingroom I have two 20L on a double stand.. Up until last week the one on top housed a mix of fancy guppies, dwarf frogs and dwarf shrimp. the bottom housed a single african clawed frog who was sold to me as a dwarf.. grew humongous and ate everything in his path!
I decided to bring him to a local pet store, where the fishroom guy and I started talking about saltwater and I let him convince me how "easy" its is to have a saltwater... HAHAHA.... yeah
I converted my bottom 20gallon Long to a saltwater tank about a week ago.. I bought 20 pounds of live reef sand.. and about 20 pounds of lacerock (not live)
two of the cheapest powerheads I could find, a box of instant ocean salt, and a hydrometer and was on my way... broke but hopeful
I already had the submersible tank heater, the compact flourescant light with a tropic sun 5500k daylight bulb and two hang on back filters i had laying around.. I know I need better things, I know that I will need a skimmer...i was just happy to get it up and running... now I have about a billion questions and obviously being a single mom, a lack of funds.. it will have to come together slowly and I will pick up what i need here and there as I go..
i am looking for ANY advice, feedback, suggestions. This is a COMPLETELY different animal than freshwater! ugh Im overwhelmed
Ok so I know that I will need a skimmer, I need new lighting, Im trying to research a hang on back refugium.. it never occured to me that I would need a separate test kit for ph, or gh/gh... my ammonia, nitrate and nitrite kits work for both... what else is of vital importance to test? so i know what to add to my list...
I had the tank running for a few days and it was suggested that i get some cheap fish to cycle it.. I ened up with two small green chromis. and two hermit crabs.. the Chromis lasted 2 days..and bit the dust... the crabs are active and seem to be doing well although i have to feed them store bought algae since my tank is pristine and devoid of any other life...
I was referred to this site by a guy at work who said how amazing the site is and how all of the members are wonderfully helpful, so here I am..
Hoping and praying that someone can step up to the task of taking my hand and walking me through this..
i hope to someday get the hang of it and set up a larger tank.. but at the moment im lost and to be honest completely horrified!
that being said, its nice to meet you all and I look forward to learning as much I can from you all
Also I appreciate constructive criticism, so please dont be afraid of hurting my feelings! ohh and i posted a photo of my "true welfare" tank on my profile my avatar is a picture of my "jokerface" angelfish I had her since she was dime sized, now shes bigger than my fist..it wasnt until my boyfriend pointed out her creepy joker mouth that i even realized how creepy she was
Thanks in advance,
Nicole
My Name is Nicole and Im not only new to the site, Im new to saltwater too.
I have had freshwater tanks since I could walk and have enjoyed them for many many years..
I have always been in awe of the beauty of saltwater tanks/fish so I finally decided to let go of my fear and just go for it. (what was I thinking?)
I live in Haverhill MA, work full time and Am a single Mother to 4 great kids.. I have a 55 gallon freshwater tank in my bedroom with some very large Angelfish, and some corycats.. In the livingroom I have two 20L on a double stand.. Up until last week the one on top housed a mix of fancy guppies, dwarf frogs and dwarf shrimp. the bottom housed a single african clawed frog who was sold to me as a dwarf.. grew humongous and ate everything in his path!
I decided to bring him to a local pet store, where the fishroom guy and I started talking about saltwater and I let him convince me how "easy" its is to have a saltwater... HAHAHA.... yeah
I converted my bottom 20gallon Long to a saltwater tank about a week ago.. I bought 20 pounds of live reef sand.. and about 20 pounds of lacerock (not live)
two of the cheapest powerheads I could find, a box of instant ocean salt, and a hydrometer and was on my way... broke but hopeful
I already had the submersible tank heater, the compact flourescant light with a tropic sun 5500k daylight bulb and two hang on back filters i had laying around.. I know I need better things, I know that I will need a skimmer...i was just happy to get it up and running... now I have about a billion questions and obviously being a single mom, a lack of funds.. it will have to come together slowly and I will pick up what i need here and there as I go..
i am looking for ANY advice, feedback, suggestions. This is a COMPLETELY different animal than freshwater! ugh Im overwhelmed
Ok so I know that I will need a skimmer, I need new lighting, Im trying to research a hang on back refugium.. it never occured to me that I would need a separate test kit for ph, or gh/gh... my ammonia, nitrate and nitrite kits work for both... what else is of vital importance to test? so i know what to add to my list...
I had the tank running for a few days and it was suggested that i get some cheap fish to cycle it.. I ened up with two small green chromis. and two hermit crabs.. the Chromis lasted 2 days..and bit the dust... the crabs are active and seem to be doing well although i have to feed them store bought algae since my tank is pristine and devoid of any other life...
I was referred to this site by a guy at work who said how amazing the site is and how all of the members are wonderfully helpful, so here I am..
Hoping and praying that someone can step up to the task of taking my hand and walking me through this..
i hope to someday get the hang of it and set up a larger tank.. but at the moment im lost and to be honest completely horrified!
that being said, its nice to meet you all and I look forward to learning as much I can from you all
Also I appreciate constructive criticism, so please dont be afraid of hurting my feelings! ohh and i posted a photo of my "true welfare" tank on my profile my avatar is a picture of my "jokerface" angelfish I had her since she was dime sized, now shes bigger than my fist..it wasnt until my boyfriend pointed out her creepy joker mouth that i even realized how creepy she was
Thanks in advance,
Nicole