help me plan please

[footballdude2k3]

hey everybody, i have wanted a tank for a long time and i am finally starting to be in a position to get one, i really like clown fish, but i would like other things as well, i would like to know what fish go well with clowns, also, i want to get a 90 gal tank, but i have no idea what all to get as far as live rock, live sand, do i need both? could i use reg sand if i got live rock? i would like an anemone but i hear that you shouldnt get one until you get better at the hobby, true? i have no idea on pump, lights, sump, pretty much everything else, plllllllllllllllllease help, thanks!!!

[omard]

Glad to see you found way here and also interest in getting into the SW Aquarist art.

Can understand enthusiasm and excitement once decision is made.

We are also exicted for you and great interest in helping you along all the way.


Read past posts and browse links below.

Sounds a bit overwhelming at first, but don't be discouraged. Very simple basics needed for a successful startup...rest will come in time.

Good Luck!

Originally Posted by omard

The Tao of Marine Aquaria - Tips for Our Hobby and Life, by Adam H. Whitlock

Knowing How to Set Up a Marine Aquarium, Adam Blundell M.S.

Your First Reef aquarium: How to Create a Miniature Coral Reef System at Home.
by J. Charles Delbeek B.Sc., B.Ed., M.Sc.

About.com - Saltwater Aquariums 101 "Getting Started" FREE Email Course

Thinking about setting up a saltwater aquarium? (melevsreef.com)

An Introduction to the Marine Aquarium Hobby (Part 1) - Associated Content (Parrothead)

An Introduction to the Marine Aquarium Hobby (Part 2) - Associated Content (Parrothead)

A List Of Good Beginner Fish

Fish To Be Avoided - I

Fish To Be Avoided - II

Your Aquarium Cleanup Crew, By Charles & Linda Raabe

"More"

[Jason McKenzie]

Hey FBD2K3 Welcome to 3Reef.

A 90G tank is a great tank to start with. But if I may, A 90 is 4 feet long. a 120 is also 4 feet long just a bit wider. If you have the room and the money you may want to consider it.

I would defiantly look at tanks that are called 'Reef Ready' this means they will have an overflow to go to a smaller tank in the stand called a sump. this is where all you hardware like a skimmer, heaters and other devises will be. That way your tank is free of all the crap.
Yes as far as I'm concerned 'live sand' is not needed when you get Live rock it will quickly populate the sand and make it 'live'.

Clown fish are very good fish in community tanks. They do like to have an anemone, so if I where you I would plan your system based on the eventual addition of an anemone.

Hope this helps, Feel free to ask as many questions you need to

J

[footballdude2k3]

thanks for the quick answers guys, i have been reading a lot about this, what is a good place to look at for buying this stuff? i dont really have a good pet store that i would trust around me, so i am trying to find reputable places online or catalogs. i understand that for somethings i will have to go out to a shop and buy them, but i would like to keep that to a minimum because i think that i would rather buy from somewhere that people suggest on here. i do not know anybody that has a tank around me, none of my friends do, im still young only 21 but this is something that i have wanted my whole life, so i think its time to start it up. i know that it is pricey but i have a decent job and money to support everything

[Iraf]

Alot of the sponsors here will be able to provide most of everything you'd need to get started, as far as acquiring a tank/stand/sump and other hardware you're probably better off to find somewhere locally cause shipping a tank is kind of stressful

[footballdude2k3]

yes, i was planning on trying to find that here somewhat locally, but the sand, rock, and pretty much everything else i want to try to get online, would you guys say getting fish shipped is safe, or would you say to the store it is?

[Iraf]

alot of fish ship pretty well, most all corals and inverts do as well, i think the majority of us here all have good things to say about buying our fish online.
how do ya think most LFS's get their supply

drfostersmith.com is a good site to get alot of stuff from, i buy alot of my livestock from reefscavengers.com and they sell rock as well. if you start out slowly you can get base rock and save some $$ then just cure it, it will turn into live rock overtime

I highly recommend reading through the posts that Omard put up as well lots of good info on there.

[Froc3]

I have had great success with shipping live goods, only had a problem once where a shrimp only came with half his legs, but they grew back over time. If there is any advice, it's go slow and get everything done right the first time. DIY jobs are nice, but not always the perfect solution (In my experience). However, many of these fine people can help ya along the way with anything you need. About the anemone, it is suggested that your tank be established so that your water params are stable, but i put one in quite early (2 months i believe) and he's been great ever since! I don't know if i'd do it again

Karma for a good start!
Evan

[footballdude2k3]

for a 90 and a 120 gal, how much live rock would i be looking at here?

[Iraf]

Good rule of thumb on saltwater, atleast 1lbs per gallon of live rock. I try to run 1.5-2lbs like my current nano is 24g tank, 40# of live rock

my 58g i only have 65lbs in though

My 75g i'll probably run 150-200lbs