Have patience?

[Myka]

Ya, check out the Koralia powerheads. You usually need two powerheads in a tank that size to keep detritus from settling. I would suggest two Koralia 1 powerheads.

Like mseepman, I am a strong believer in protein skimmers as well - at least definately for novice keepers, and I would suggest not using a canister filter. If you would like to run carbon and phosphate media you can use either a PhosBan Reactor (my first choice), or a cheap hang on power filter like the AquaClears. Look for about 100 gph flow rate for the phosphate media. I would strongly advise against the Prism protein skimmer as, in my opinion, they are only good for disposal. A good protein skimmer for a tank that size would be a Tunze Nano Skimmer 9002 (about $180). This is a very good, high quality skimmer that works very well on nano-sized tanks. If you are unable or unwilling to spend that much money on your tank then I wouldn't bother at all with a skimmer as in my opinion, a poor skimmer isn't worth spending your money on. 20 lbs of live rock will probably be enough for your tank.

Marine refers to anything saltwater, but generally refers to a tank with no corals. Reef is a tank that houses many corals and fish. FO is fish only. FOWLR is fish only with live rock.

Personally, I would also replace the aquarium gravel with sand. Look for aragonite sand like the Caribsea Select. It doesn't have to be "live", which I think is a very well done marketing scam.

As for reading material, as mseepman graciously suggested, the articles in my signature are good resources for novice keepers.

[leezard]

Oh, Myka. I missed your post. Thank you! I'll definitely check out all suggested -- in the meantime I'll keep the fluval running for some flow, and whenever I can drag my butt into the city I'll go shopping.

As for spending the money -- I walked into this knowing SW tanks weren't cheap, and why even bother if I'm not willing to spend a buck (or 50)? As much as I might choke on $50 of "just rocks", I'm a sucker for the best! Or, at least, NOT the cheapest....

[Snaz]

Everything these guys have already said I would agree with. I do NOT use a skimmer, I am one of a few that believe that skimmers remove more than waste and do more harm than good.

For larger tanks where 10% water changes are not possible every week i would consider a skimmer but for nano tanks a 10% water change every week is a better idea imho. I keep softies and a couple of LPS and they all thrive.

[mseepman]

One thing to add from my opinion...the Bubble Magus BMQQ nano skimmer is really quite good. I bought one that I plan to add to my nano (as I have a prizm right now and I plan to burn it as soon as I can) The BMQQ is running for me as a second skimmer (while I break it in) in my main display and it's still pulling a lot of skimmate.

It will take some real estate in your tank though so make sure you understand that.

[leezard]

It will take some real estate in your tank though so make sure you understand that.

Sorry, do you mean some of the living inhabitants? I didn't quite follow (See: "Newbie" comment!)

[Snaz]

He means tank space. The skimmer presumably would have to fit in the display area and thus less room for rock and it of course would make an already small tank more cluttered.

One advantage of an "all in one" is the false wall where skimmer and return pumps can be hidden away.

[BlueAbyss]

Originally Posted by Myka

Personally, I would also replace the aquarium gravel with sand. Look for aragonite sand like the Caribsea Select. It doesn't have to be "live", which I think is a very well done marketing scam.

+1 on the replacing gravel with sand... it just looks more natural. Specially if the gravel is that epoxy coated colorful junk

Originally Posted by leezard

Ok here's another question -- do I need to get an aerator or airstones for air flow? There's lots of water flow and such, so how does the air get into the water? Or is that part of the point of the "live" rock?

Quick lesson on O2 in water...

Water diffuses oxygen in and carbon dioxide (among other gasses) out passively across air to water intersections... so any air to water contact will provide gas exchange.

For our purposes this includes the water surface of the tank itself, and to a lesser extent the millions of tiny bubbles in your skimmer, if you decide to run one. This is why you can put more fish in a larger tank, not because the volume of water itself is larger (though a larger water volume is more stable, in regards to temperature, salinity, etc.)

Just a quick question leezard, have you checked the salinity of the tank water to see exactly what it is at? Or tested any of the other levels for that matter (Calcium, Alkalinity etc.)? If indeed the tank was set up for a year without water changes (or by the sound of it, any form of livestock including liverock) I'd be curious to see what everything is sitting at.