Needed advice for my tank...

[SpecailEd]

Hey guys,
here is a description of my tank. I would love some advice or criticizim. Im fairly new to reef tanks, and i am working on my first tank. So here is what i have...

75 gal
1 - 802 power head
marine land magnum 350 power filter
5 inch agronite carb. live sand bed
apx 45 lbs lr

Fish
flame angle
yellow tang
blue damsel
2 stripe damsel
6 lined wrasse
mated pair of maroon clowns

inverts
3 peppermint shrimp
banded coral shrimp
bubble anome
greem star polyps
colony polyops
yellow polyps
porciln crab
3 feather dusters

and some random things on the live rock, they are clear and resmble poyps but i think they are some sort of soft coral.

everything lives together fine, and has been doing great for over a month. However i keep reading, and talking to people who tell me i need this, and i need that... i was looking at hang on refugiums.. or a protien skimmer.. any suggestions?

-ben

[Craig Manoukian]

It appears that you intend to have a full reef set-up with fish and corals. If so I would recommend the following:

I suggest you you get between 75 and 100 lbs of total LR and the best skimmer you can afford. If you plan on adding LR make sure it is fully cured or cycled before adding it to your tank. An Aqua Medic or EuroReef skimmer would be an awesome addition to your set-up.

With a BTA you should have Metal Halide lighting for the long-term health of the animal. You did not mention the type of lighting you have.

The Flame Angel may nip your corals, sponges or polyps as most angels have these as part of their natural diet. This doesn't meean yours will or won't in time. Just something to be aware of.

A sump and/or refugium is always a good thing. The more water volume and natural biological filtration the better.

Another 802 powerhead will get your tank turnover rate up as it should be somewhere between 1,000 to 1,500 gallons per hour or 15 to 20 times your tank volume per hour.

If I haven't spent all of your money, let me know and we'll discuss some more goodies for your tank. JK

[Craig Manoukian]

Oops, some more things.

How long have you had your tank?

What are your water parameters for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, PH, temperature, specific gravity, alkalinity, and calcium?

[SpecailEd]

Sweet man,
Thanks for the info. My tank is almost 8 months old. and is beautiful well to me anyways.
I have another 802 ph, should i go ahead and add it in too?

As far as lighting goes, im in progress of upgrading, my lfs guy is helping me build a wall mounted fixture, with built on timer, etc.

ill get the water params when i have a few more extra minutes.

thanxs again.

I plan on getting 20 more lbs of live rock on thursday, the lfs cures it, and has had it for 2 weeks or so, its good fiji rock.

I would like some more info on getting a skimmer, i was checking marinedepot.com, but theres alot of options. lets assume i have 200 bucks. if anyone get a direct link to one that will work best for me, that would rock.

-ben

[Craig Manoukian]

Check out the Steps above under hardware and read what Matt Rogers posted about skimmers. You can also look at the Product Reviews forum for some feedback.