Still Researching, but have a few questions!

i dont no the price tag on the leds, but you could keep anything you want under them. they are top of the line right now

 

Hmmm... JBJ LED with stand seems to be a comparable price to the biocube HQI and stand. Just more to think about I guess!

 

yes, should have enough light for anything. you can get them for about 600 dollars.

 

That doesnt seem too bad (biocube hqi + stand was about 570).

Next question is, what would be a decent skimmer for either?

Edit:

Also, am I missing anything off my initial "What I need" list, or have anything I dont really need?

BioCube HQI w/stand (or JBJ LED w/Stand)
Base Rock (20-25 lbs)
Egg Crate (putting under rock)
Sand (Black or white?)
RODI unit (may hold off on this for a while)
5-Gallon Bucket (x2)
5-gallon bucket lid (drill holes for heater/powerhead)
Heater (for tank AND mixing Water)
Thermometer (x2)
Salt Mix
Refractometer
Live Rock
Powerhead (quantity for tank? 2? Plus one for mixing salt)
Water Test Kit
Fish (TBs)

Future/optional things
Refuge Light
Automatic Top Off

Also the following is in the mail:

The Conscientious Marine Aquarist and The New Marine Aquarium

 

This is the concern I have with the LED model.

It has not been out that long, a couple of years at most if that, and I do not see many established (more than 1 year ) JBJs with the LEDs and the ones I do see I am not impressed with sps growth or colors.

Personally I would rather have the CF model over the LED model.

Boils down to having to look around at established tank images and feed back and seeing if that is the look you want. It is a tough choice.

( disclaimer )

Nothing against LED's in general,it just would not be my personal first choice in a AIO.

 

I love my LED, its awesome. no heat, no worries for a chiller. local store has a reef setup in it and its awesome.

 

I still have a lot of research, but now I'm leaning toward the LED.

Now, I have some questions about CuC and fish load (since I finally got to reading a little on it last night )

For CuC I have the following species in mind:
Blue Leg Hermit Crabs
Ceriths
Nassaruis
Nerites
Peppermint Shrimp

For a 28-29 gallon tank, how many of each should I be looking into?

Also, for fish I am thinking about the following:
2 Clown
1 (2?) Firefish
1 Royal Gramma

How would this be in the size of tank? Anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks!

 

The Royal Gramma and the Firefish will need to be introduced on the same day. Otherwise the RG will likely kill the FF.

BTW.....Kudo's to you for doing so much research ahead of time.

 

IMO opinion I wouldn't hold off on the RO/DI unit. Think of how important the water quality is to the tank, water is the foundation of the tank. The better your water quality from the beginning, the better your tank will do. This is one thing I made the mistake of not doing when I started my old tank. I ended up with high Phosphate levels that had saturated into my sand/rock over the months. It was a pain since I used conditioned tap water.

An RO/DI unit is a necessity IMO from the get-go. That way you won't have to wonder about algae issues, etc.

Check out this link, SpectraPure is the best in RO/DI IMO: Untitled Document

I would grab the 90gpd RO/DI unit for $199, it will be the best $200 you spend on your tank. No paying for water, no wasting gas and the pita of carting it back and forth from the LFS, no worry about algae issues related to water quality, etc, etc.

P.S. you'll need a top if you want the firefish, they're jumpers

best of luck

 

Agreed.