Tropical Fish Keeping banner

help! First SW tank!

4K views 35 replies 6 participants last post by  Seilethin 
#1 ·
Ok, so as a very delayed Christmas present from my friend I was given a chocolate chip starfish! I don't think my friend really knew that I don't know much about SW tanks... anyway, its in a 5g with some sand, a heater at 77 degrees, and a pH of 8.2.... and what the fish store called a SW filter? anyway, after some research I know that my tank is WAY TOO small.... Don't get mad at me for getting without researching... I didn't someone else got it for me without my knowing.... Whay do I need to feed my starfish, and what is their minimum tank size? right now my little guy in only 2ish inches.. anyway, sorry for not researching b4, but I can't really help that..... also, I know that CC Stars aren't reefsafe, so what would you reccomend I put in the tank so there isn't just sand? Also, In his tank there are .5 cups of salt per gallon, this is how much I was told to do.... is it correct? Thank you SOOOOOOOOO much for any help at all!
~veganchick~
 
#2 ·
V - You need to purchase a hydrometer to measure the specific gravity. This is how you determine the correct amount of salt. You want 1.023 to 1.024. Using 1/2 cup per gallon is close, but not correct. Temperature will impact the results.

I suggest adding 5 to 7 pounds of live rock. Make sure it is fully cured and has no odor when you purchase it. You could also add ONE small fish to such a setup. Cody would be good to provide some suggestions on this.

Good luck!!

Mark
 
#3 ·
Thanks for all the help! I thought cc starfish ate small fish, ad inverts, but I may be wrong! so the 5g is large enough? thanks a ton! I'll purchase supplies 2mro..... I think it can wait till then... I have heard they are faairly hardy
 
#4 ·
I've heard rumors of the Chocolate Chip eating fish, but i've never had it to occur. Given that fish swim and the Chocolate Chip starfish crawls, it would be an interesting accomplishment, unless the fish was a very sessile species.
 
#6 ·
ok, cool! THanks guys! i'll post pics soon! I purchases 4 lbs of live rock, and I am thinking about getting a yellowtail blue damsel to keep with my starfish. I would LOVE to upgrade to a 15g (I know, still tiny, but I really don't have much room in my bedroom left) in the future, and get maybe another small fish (idk if this is possible) or starfish. I am really getting into this SW stuff. I'm kinda sad cc stars aren't reefsafe! Anyway, thank you everybody 4 ur advice, and sorr for all the newbie questions!
 
#7 ·
If you ever want any other SW fish, then no damsel. Any damsel.

To be honest, don't put a CC star with any fish or vice-versa. There are a ton of incidents that I know of that the CC star attacks fish, inverts, and corals.

Or you can get a Harlequin Shrimp. :lol:
 
#19 ·
To be honest, don't put a CC star with any fish or vice-versa. There are a ton of incidents that I know of that the CC star attacks fish, inverts, and corals.
Cody, I've always considered CC Starfish attaching fish to be urban legend. Inverts and corals,yes. But fish??? Have you actually seen this, or have you just heard stories? - M
 
#8 ·
Ok, I guess no other fish for me. :( I would love a Harlequin Shrimp, but I heard that they prey on starfish, so I don't want any danger there.... Is there any fish or invert that I can be pretty sure my starfish will get along with in a 15g? or any other starfish maybe? clams? I really don't know much about salt water fish, like I said before, so plz don't critisize me if I am asking about something really obvious!
 
#9 ·
I was kidding about the Harley. Hence the smile. :redyay:

-No inverts EVER with a CC star.
-Don't even think about a clam etiher...
-No other Starfish
-No fish IMO.
-No corals.

It would be so much easier if you just traded it in at a LFS. They are not worth the hassle IMO (saying you can have reefs, fish, and inverts) and are best used as a food source (because they can regenerate limbs).

But knowing you, you will keep it. The best setup for it is a tank with rock, sand, the star, and the needed equipment.
 
#10 ·
lol, you know me all too well! :) I'm a sucker for anything (short of plants) living! Thanks for the advice tho..... ur prly right, but I'm too stubborn to listen! I have Really dim lighting in the aqairum... Is this ok?

Also, On a different subject I was wanting some advice for coral and maybe a fish in a 5g reef tank. My mom is gonna let me set up a 5g brackish, 5g Freshwater, and 5g saltwater side by side in my living room with saltwater in the middle so it will be much different that the other two. For my brackish one I'm gonna do 2 bumblebee gobies, and some ghost shrimp. In y freshwater I am thinking maybe a school of lemon tetras, or some DPs.... I have no idea t all if there is really anything that can do well iin a 5g reef tank... Would any types of Clownfish work? They are very cool, and this is sort of one of my showcase tanks so I want it too look great! :) I'm prly getting anoyying with all my questions by now, but ur gonna have to put up with them! lol
 
#11 ·
Don't worry, small reef-ing is my subject (especially stocking-wise).

No clownfish can go in a 5G. A damsel can, but as stated, you can only have one. You can only have one fish, preferably no fish though, in that tank. Look up nano gobies such as the Clown Goby, Neon Goby, and my personal favorite, the Greenbanded Goby. You could have a mated pair, but unless you buy a pair ($$$), do not get two as it can lead to fights.

And as to your lighting, just make sure you have a flourescent bulb in there and you will be fine. Incandescent will lead to overheating and algae growth.

If you don't mind, could I have a picture of this tank? I feel like I *need* to see it... possibly to address something.
 
#12 ·
ok, thank you! Sure you can have a picture... in 2 days when I get my phone back! lol..... What do you mean by u need to see it to address something? Also, I have no idea where to get a saltwater testing kit.... mine is only for freshwater.... so idk if its really accurate. I think one neon goby will be a good starter fish as they are very hardy! (correct me if I'm wrong tho... this is all stuff I am just now learning) thanks for all ur help, and pics as soon as possible!
 
#15 ·
Also, greenbanded gobies look spectacular! I just don't know how easy it would be to get ahold of one. The website where I prefer to buy my fish from doesn't have any, and I want somewhere that I know the fish is happy and healthy. I think I could try Waldo pet store maybe.... anyway, All of these tanks for the living room won't be started till may, so no rush on time! Green chromis also look very cool, but as for tank size I'm not sure how they would do....
 
#21 ·
thanks everyone, Cody, we have a Fish store near us called all aquatics, its local, but its fresh and Saltwater, Its about an hour and a half away, but that is where I get any rare FW fish, so I guess we could take a trip out there in may, I just worry about the fish on the way home! Does anyone no of some nice marine plants I can have? Most people on here don't have any sw tanks with plants, but I have seen them around, a few plants with some coral would look magnificant, I just don't know what to look for. Sexy shrimp are soooo cool, and so are gobies... I think shrimp might be a better choice cuz I am gonna have 2 brackish gobies nect to them prly. Thanks everyone for all ur help, I really appriciate it, Oh, and onefish2fish, don't worry, I will! :)
 
#22 ·
Why do you want to have plants in a reef? Macroalgae is best kept in a sump/fuge away from the display, and any other algae is ugly.

Plus the algae can easily take over a tank if not kept under control and the tank's phosphates/nitrates get out of control, which can easily happen in a 5G tank.
 
#27 ·
Why do you want to have plants in a reef? Macroalgae is best kept in a sump/fuge away from the display, and any other algae is ugly.

Plus the algae can easily take over a tank if not kept under control and the tank's phosphates/nitrates get out of control, which can easily happen in a 5G tank.

there is a pink macro that i cannot think of the name which i find pretty nice. people actually pay money for a piece. if i can think of the name ill let you know.
 
#23 ·
Quite right, Something like calurpa can take over the tank and strangle the whole tank. I'm dealing with some macro algae in my tank now, and it's becoming an issue, and that's a 55g. I can't get it off so i'm periodically pulling it out. It is just not worth it.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top