Need some questions answered

In order to be safe I would use mostly baserock with a very small piece of LR.I would use Microbacter7 to cycle the tank. Using a scoop of sand from someone brings risk so I would not do that. I would use a live sand to speed up the process of cycling.Arag-Alive or Caribsea are good choices for sand.

I am not familiar with that particular skimmer but I am sure you could use it in your sump(might have to do a little DIY) You don't want your skimmer actually skimming(it won't skim anything when new anyway) but you could still run it for oxygenating your tank. Just adjust it so its low enough not to actually skim. Also no chemical filtration while cycling(carbon,GFO,)
Eggcrate is always a good idea as it keeps the weight of the rock evenly dispersed on the glass to prevent it from cracking. It also protects the tank from an avalanche.
It is not a good idea to move your aquascape around. Doing minor adjustments is O.K..

 

I used Marco key largo dry rock along with a few pounds of average live rock and microbacter7 and my tank cycled in 3 weeks. Oh and Marco rocks is 110$ for 50#|

 

I used the eshopps float valve to make a cheap gravity fed ATO. Only cost me 30$. I HIGHLY recomend having some kind of ATO.

 

Do this at your own risk. I highly recommend you do not go cheap on an ATO.

 

And more!

This may be better suited in a specific sub-forum but I can appreciate when someone doesnt clutter with threads.

I think I may try a fuzzy lionfish as long as other tankmates. Would a fuzzy lionfish be fine with coral? Also, depending on which list is shorter, what tank mates can(t) I can one with.

 

Believe me the Mods/Matt appreciate that.Carnivores generally don't make good reef inhabitants. Because of there messy feeding habits(making for dirty water). There are members on this forum who have had success kepping them though. You will probably need a more aggresive form of nutrient export to keep one or more(more WC,GFO,BP,ATS)Another thing to consider is Lions generally don't like a strong flow in the tank which is something most corals need. A general rule for carnivores is if it fits in there mouth it is a potential meal which will limit your choices of tankmates.Also any shrimp in the tank will become a snack.

 

The price is the only cheap thing. The product Is quality. Hard to go wrong with a gravity ATO v

 

Until it fails.Float valve failures do happen. The eshopps valve you have is known for the clip falling apart and failing.I know this from first hand experience at my LFS.For an example go to Marine Depot and read the reviews.Again I don't recommend going cheap on ATO's.

 

Great, thanks for the answers once again!

In the coming month I will be heading to my LFS to possibly get a tank for this project. Might get one reef ready as well. Any recommendations on a reef ready tank? (slot for heater and filtration)

I may even try a tank with diy sump and drilled tank but who knows.

I would also like to add, I labeled my protein skimmer wrong. It is the nana remora.