New Tank questions

[jorjef]

This is as simple as I can get it.....

Live rock, get as much as you can first go round don't worry if it's not cured the cycle will take care of that. After only buy cured live rock as not to start another cycle. Base rock is fine if you have patience.

T-5's are fine I had 48 fick'en watts for the longest time and maintain many types of corals. Then I wait WAY up to 108 watts of T5'S woo hoo, things were still fine. Don't let people scare you. I have pictures of my tanks in my profile under Statistics all are with the above mentioned wattage.

If a person went out and bought all the "suggested" equipment one of two things would happen...one you would be broke, or two you would run like hell and never get into this hobby.

Buy what you can when you can... NO one ever ever ever stays with their original equipment they start with, you will learn to avoid certain brands of equipment and should do this early on to avoid the dissapointment after the fact..as an example ask before you buy things like skimmers or certain brands of lights, they will likely be the most expensive items you will buy...

If you are from Weyburn there are a few people in your town that are very knowledgeable that I'm sure could give you some advise.

I guess I'm done ranting,,,


Oh ya, never overstock you tank with fish or corals ( they poop too) especially in the early stages....well any stage for that matter.

[weyburnt]

Thanks for the advice, as well with 3 -5 watts per gallon is that including atinics? Fore example2 attinic and 2 10000 is kinda were I'm leaning to

[JohnnyReeftank]

I recommend 2 actinic, 1 10000K and 1 fiji-purple or giesseman-pink bulb (either or) so you can get another spectrum of colour in there. Yes the 3-5 watts is for your total light emitted so add up the wattage of each bulb. I would lean closer to 5 watts/gl so that you can get a wider range of corals down the road. I noticed you havent mentioned anything about a protein skimmer....have you looked into them yet? Because your standard hang-on filter wont do the trick.

[weyburnt]

No I did not mention a protien skimmer. I will be shopping around in the for one. If anyone wants to put input towards that I would be greatful as well

[reefwars]

i dont think the watts per gallon rule applys to strictly if it does im down to around 1.1 w per gallon lol and i have a full mixed reef