Plans for my 55g tank....(still working on it)

[k9]

my plan for my 55g tank will have

2"-4" of live sand

50lbs of live rock

i have a brother that has a saltwater tank and he is helping me......but for a few months i am not planning on having hardly anything in my tank but the rocks and sand.....it is going to be filtering with some snails in it and maybe a shrimp or two...being since i have to get all the different levels...also my brother suggested that i could tank a small portion of his water from his tank since he has had it for a little over a year now and put it in mine where the bacteria can help adjust the levels quicker.....whether this is a safe idea or not i am not for sure

i still have alot of planning but i come up with a list of fish that i am looking at after my tank is ready and has filtered a couple of months the levels are ok by me...which i could use advice on that too....here is the list and if you disagree with any of them for a new reefer then please say so and tell me why......i do not intend to put all these fish in my tank because i can't....be to crowded...

Purple Firefish

Midas Blenny

Canary Fany Blenny

Blackcap Basslet

Yellow Assessor

Blue Assessor

Yellowstripe Anthias

Tiger AQueen Anthias

Filamented Flasher Wrasse

Orchid Dottyback

Sunrise Dottyback

Banggai Cardinalfish

Yellow Clown Goby

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after a few months have past and my tank has built up a little i will start adding soft corals and some hard corals......i am planning on mushrooms when i first start my tank.....i am pretty sure this is alright but i want to make sure on all aspects before i start on my tank......

i haven't decided on lighting and still looking at sumps...but i am not planning on buying anything for about a month or so.......any advice would be grateful :)..

sorry that this post is not very organized but Thanks :D

[steve1s]

Planning your set up is probably the best thing you could ever do before setting it up. I congratulate you on your efforts.. 8)

Adding the water from an established tank will do little or nothing for colonizing of bacteria. You need to con him out of some of his sand... :shock: . That would promote some strong healthy colonies. Just make sure he has never used any copper based medications.

The fish list is a little veige (no offense) some can be mixed together and some cannot. It just depends on the combination you choose. Basslets/Assesors/Pseodochromis/Dottybacks can be quite aggressive, especially with their own species, so I would advise caution and not mix them.

Anthias can be difficult to care for as they a picky eaters and usually deep water animals. They may not fair well in a brightly lit tank. Anthias will also not mix well with their own species so caution is also advised.

The cardinal, 1 or 2 blennies and wrasse would work together but I would only choose one of the others that strikes your fancy the most. That will prevent much aggression in the tank.

Cheers
Steve

[salty dragon]

If you go to www.liveaquaria.com there is an great guideline as to what is compatible with what. Also as Stephen Covey said "Begin with the end in mind." One of the harder things to do is get rid of a fish you have grown to love because it gets in the way of where you want to go with your tank. Good luck and post some pics as soon as you have it up and running. Also and most importantly to second what was said before this... Make sure you know the history of a donor tank before you accept anything. If your brother has used Copper meds, or other types for that matter, It could cause problems down the road.

[water8safenomore]

if it isnt too late, i would strongly consider a 70 gall instead of a 55. i have a 55 and BADLY with i had gone with the 70. the 70 fits alot more in it for depth. its tought to stock LR up to the (near) top surface with only a foot width to work with. 70 had 1.5 ft and is so much better. this will allow for a better aquascape in general, but especially in the front. i can HARDLY fit anything like anemones or corals down below because they do not get much light due to the angle looking like this of LR: /

just my 2 cents, but speaking from experience, try and go with the 70gall.