Newbie questions...RedSea Max 34 gallon tank...stock?

[somebody]

Hi guys im brand new to the hobby and am picking up my RedSea Max tank tomorrow and 50 lbs of LR, VERY excited! Im just trying to get an idea of what I want to stock my tank with and what I CAN stock it with. I love Blue Tangs but have read that they need a larger tank. The RedSea tank im getting is 34 gallons with about 30 gallons of actual tank space, if that makes any sense at all. So far i have decided on getting two clown fish and and a few skunk shrimp.

What kind of coral would you guys suggest?

How much LS should i get?

I just have so many questions. Any input would be great.

[cuttingras]

whhhoooaaaaah nelly.....here's some info on the sand....You need to slow down on the whole "what do I stock it with"....1st thing's first...go slow, let it grow...... Welcome to 3reef btw! Have you been reading? Do you know about cycling your tank and all that good stuff???


3reef.com - Forums for coral reef aquariums, salt water fish, corals, inverts, protein skimmers, aquarium lighting and more! - Calculators

and really Welcome!!!

[somebody]

Ohhh yeahh I have been reading tone! I've wanted a tank for about a year now, and I'm finally getting one. I know about cycling the tank once the LR is in but i wouldn't say im an expert. I have no problem waiting for the tank to cycle, i would say im pretty patient so im not trying to rush things by any means, i just want to get some ideas for later.

[BaxterS80]

Definitely go slow, the longer you wait to introduce inhabitants is directly related to your longterm success. Having said that, the tank you are getting is entirely too small for a blue tang or for that matter, imo, any tang. Tangs are very active swimmers and need plenty of room to do so. Blue Tangs grow large rather quickly and require a large tank with lots of swimming room. We have one that we do love, but he has doubled in size in two months. Fortunately, we are going to put up a 200 gallon in the near future....Also, I would consider smaller more hardy fish to begin with. Just because the initial cycle has completed does not mean that the water has matured to a state where they can successfully sustain some of the less hardy fish, tangs among them...As cuttingras stated, go slow, you will be much happier in the long run. You will hear stories of people that rush things and have more stress trying to rectify problems that probably would not have happened it they waited. Don't me wrong, I am not the most patient, but I continue to learn patience through the process. Best of Luck and enjoy the process. You will certainly learn a lot as you move through the early months...

[cuttingras]

Originally Posted by somebody

Ohhh yeahh I have been reading tone! I've wanted a tank for about a year now, and I'm finally getting one. I know about cycling the tank once the LR is in but i wouldn't say im an expert. I have no problem waiting for the tank to cycle, i would say im pretty patient so im not trying to rush things by any means, i just want to get some ideas for later.

gotcha and thats good to hear.

a lot of people will sell you a fish coral/invert the day you get the tank and filter and rock and sand, then tell you it'll be fine..... if they do try......... run from them and never go back! don't let them!

IMO and in my tank, I've not put enough lr into it in the first place should have done that right off the start,(I'm constantly curing new rock in my tank and it's like having a new cycle every time) so make sure you have what lr you want, then go from there. what kind of sand are you gonna use and how deep?(sent the link) you can figure all that out, what kind of salt and what kind of water? tap?(not advisable), LFS water(Questionable), RO with or without the DI seems the norm right now, next week who knows...., walmart water(or other place) ( questionalble)



food for thought

[BaxterS80]

I am with you cuttingras, invest in a RO/DI filtering system from the get go, you won't be sorry.

[cuttingras]

also are you going to use live sand?? +baxter commin your way

[omard]

Originally Posted by cuttingras

whhhoooaaaaah nelly.....here's some info on the sand....You need to slow down on the whole "what do I stock it with"....1st thing's first...go slow, let it grow...... Welcome to 3reef btw! Have you been reading? Do you know about cycling your tank and all that good stuff???


3reef.com - Forums for coral reef aquariums, salt water fish, corals, inverts, protein skimmers, aquarium lighting and more! - Calculators

and really Welcome!!!

"ditto" (know is hard to do --- but trust us! )

To 3Reef!!!

Salutations! Glad to see you found way here!

The Tao of Marine Aquaria
Tips for Our Hobby and Life

© 1997 Adam H. Whitlock
Edited By Elizabeth M. Lukan 11/25/00

Learn to Live With It

Adam Blundell M.S.

"...As surprising as it may seem your tank will look ugly at first. This happens to all new marine aquariums as they cycle through their initial filtration phase. Your tank may go brown, and then green, and then red, and then just look junky. It happens. Consequently the one coral you really want to keep may not live. You may struggle to raise the prize fish you originally intended to acquire. It's okay; just learn to love whatever is working for you. Remember, not only is this a hobby, but we are keeping living ecosystems. Special efforts should be put forth to enjoy and appreciate what we are keeping, whatever it may be. It takes time and patience to turn a glass box full of rock into a beautiful, thriving reef tank..."

]

[somebody]

Originally Posted by cuttingras

gotcha and thats good to hear.

what kind of sand are you gonna use and how deep?(sent the link) you can figure all that out, what kind of salt and what kind of water? tap?(not advisable), LFS water(Questionable), RO with or without the DI seems the norm right now, next week who knows...., walmart water(or other place) ( questionalble)



food for thought

Yes, thanks for that link! I would never use tap, wouldnt want to risk the health of the tank. I was considering going to the grocery store and getting a bunch of those 5 gallon jugs filled from out front of the store. I do have a RO system at my home know but i think i need to replace it. The displacement on it is ridiculous, it would probably take a whole week just to get 5 gallons out of it. My friend is a car detailer and get deionized water for very cheap, could i use that?

Any sugjestions on the type of LS, and i was thinking about 2" deep. Is that normal?

[RAVEN]

Yes you can use de-ionized water.