New To Marine Hobby

[murph213]

Hi All ! I started my 55 gallon fowlr 3 months ago. I have 45 lbs of live rock, and 4" bed of cc as substrate. I have 4 damsels in tank for 2 months and 4 tubro snails. My water chem is good. I have been taking my time with this. I am using an emporer 400 hob bioweel filter , 300 watt heater. I don't have a protien skimmer.

Ok so here goes my questions. Do I really need a protien skimmer? Should I add inverts? If so what kind? I also would like to ask what kind of fish shoud I go with a how many would be a safe limit. I been thinking 2 Gobbie, 2 clown and a file fish.

What do you guys think?

Thanks!
Murph

[JOSEPHLB]

You've been doing water changes on occasion, since you don't have a skimmer, correct?


What kind of Damsels do you have? And do all 4 of them get along with each other?

[murph213]

2 Yellow Tail a 2 4 stripe, and yes so far no trouble with them fighting. I added them together. As far as water changes go 20-30% every 2-3 weeks.

[reefer_for_life]

i think your fish seems ok, though i dont know anything about file fish. and i wouldnt even setup a tank without a skimmer. yes it can be done. but you have to religiously do your water changes, because without a skimmer if things start going bad they will go downhill quick. i had a 55 and used a CPR BakPak skimmer. worked great. you can get a new one for about $130, or buy one used, but i would definitly get one. good luck.

[sindacate]

welcome!!

[murph213]

Thank's everyone! I will get a skimmer real soon. You know while I'm at it , If i decide to get come corals going what is a good type to start with, and lighting to. Right now I'm using the blue marine light. I know I'm addicted to this hobby so knowing myself I'll go larger on tanks size later most likely when my wife divorces me when I bring home a 150 gallon ....lol Thanks again!

[sublime-1]

Ditto on the bakpak.

I used to work for an LFS in the early 90's.

We had a 180 reef that ran off 2 x BakPaks and they did a nice job.


BD

[frederickk]

If you want to add inverts I would suggest to add snails. Get a good mix of them.

Astreas, ceriths, and even nassarius although they are pretty opportunistic.

I wouldn't add any crabs (hermits) as they tend to be opportunistic as well.

Did you notice any algae yet?

[Ricepicker]

with ur lights i wouldn't get any corals just yet.

skimmer isn't a must but it does save you some trouble

i wouldn't add a file fish, theyre picky...

for inverts, u can try brittle/serpent stars (just dont get the green ones), shrimps like cleaners or coral banded, and maybe emerald crab or something

good luck and have fun