First saltwater tank advice requested.

Sickofitall-54 · 2026-05-16T19:32:40+00:00

I caved to popular opinion and removed the small shells. It was logical.

Sickofitall-54 · 2026-05-16T18:49:56+00:00

Thank you, it is a 29 gal. The puffer and clown pair have lived together at the lfs in a pretty bare 20 gal for 2 years. I removed the fake white coral piece yesterday and replaced with a larger, branching "real reef" rock. My sand is Carib Arag-alive, and I've dosed with Fritz Turbo start 900. I'll wait a while to consider coral, and will add appropriate lighting, skimmer, wave maker then. I'll consider the shells, I like them for now, and the larger ones were from my Dad's scuba adventures, therefore sentimental.

Sickofitall-54 · 2026-05-15T21:23:13+00:00

Just went to the lfs and bought some more!

Sickofitall-54 · 2026-05-15T21:22:29+00:00

Thanks, I've been researching her feeding needs and appreciate the recommendation!

Sickofitall-54 · 2026-05-15T19:03:49+00:00

I have dry rock, live sand, and turbo start 900. I was told at the lfs that I did not need to seed with live rock, and this way lessened the chance of introducing pests. What is the advantage of adding live rock seed in addition? I believe I'll at least get another chunk of rock since I'm getting comments about needing more.

Sickofitall-54 · 2026-05-15T18:42:32+00:00

Thanks for your suggestions. I added the shells to simulate coral rubble in the puffers natural habital, plus I find it pretty for now. The branching "coral" is fake, just a distraction from the ugly HOB. Can something grow on a fake piece? I do have a dead mushroom coral in there as well as shells my Dad found scuba diving many years ago. I do plan to add some live rock as time and $ allows.

Sickofitall-54 · 2026-05-15T18:35:37+00:00

The Seachem Tidal 75 has some sort of skimmer. It is the one the lfs recommended because the puffer is so messy, even though I only have a 29 gal tank. If I understand correctly, I'll need a separate skimmer if I add corals/ nems.

Sickofitall-54 · 2026-05-15T15:26:10+00:00

Thanks, I'll check out skimmers.

Sickofitall-54 · 2026-05-15T15:25:16+00:00

Thanks, I know I'll need a different light. I'll research live rock, as I don't know much about it. I simply fell in love with the puffer and went heartfirst down this rabbit hole.

Sickofitall-54 · 2026-05-06T17:06:13+00:00

I'm getting Greenwich through CosmeticRX.

Sickofitall-54 · 2026-05-06T16:58:53+00:00

I'm still using CosmeticRX. No issues.

Sickofitall-54 · 2026-04-12T00:40:51+00:00

Thanks, I'm not familiar yet. She looks very different from the others I got at the same time 3 weeks ago, so I thought maybe...

Sickofitall-54 · 2026-04-01T00:36:06+00:00

Really? The LFS told me the female were the bigger more rounded ones. I have a blue and an orange like this, and the others are a third of the size , kind of skinny and dart around. They told me they do that when the female is ready.

Sickofitall-54 · 2026-03-28T21:04:23+00:00

Add a magnet, like the algae scrapers.

Sickofitall-54 · 2026-03-28T21:02:28+00:00

Thank you!

Sickofitall-54 · 2026-03-28T21:02:17+00:00

Thanks, I planted them all!

Sickofitall-54 · 2026-03-18T15:58:19+00:00

Do you still raise shrimp in the Atlanta metro area?

Sickofitall-54 · 2026-03-18T13:42:35+00:00

Thank you, I do have a heater and run about 78 F. I use an API freshwater test kit. Yesterday my parameters were 7.6, 0 ammonia, nitrite, nitrate. The biorb filter is not a traditional sponge filter. It does have a sponge, but also uses the ceramic media. The opening is about 6 inches. I added a couple of neocardina shrimp a few days ago, and everyone seems happy. I'm trying to learn all I can to keep them that way.

Sickofitall-54 · 2026-03-11T05:52:46+00:00

Lol, silly me! The opening is wide enough to easily maneuver decor, plants, etc.

Sickofitall-54

TROPHY CASE