Hello all.
So back a couple years ago my parents started a salt water aquarium. I was in love! And always have had a thing for salt water aquariums. Although my parents had a FOWLR, a trip to the LFS was always a treat. Anyways I have decided to start one myself. Its about 10 years since I was "in the game" but still remember some key bullets about owning a salt water aquarium. I have not bought anything yet, like the title says im in the planning zone right now. And still persuading my GF to help out when I do go away from time to time for work. So here we go.
My plan- I would like 100 gallon tank. I know bigger is more expencive but like the idea of a small water parameter freaking out and not instantly killing everything. I also would like a reef. lots of Live Rock and lots of inverts. mushrooms, polyps, anenomies etc. Gentle fish no triggers or lion fish but a tang maybe? goobies have always been my favorite like the mandorine gobby.
Some things I still need to figure out.
-the tank. Probubly gonna by used since its a lot cheaper. Would like acrylic just so I can put bulkheads in the bottom.
-the sump. Im leaning towards a sump with a refugeeium as well as Protien skimmer all in one style. Refugeium will most likely wait until the tank starts to mature.
-Lighting. I have no idea on this subject what I would need. Im assuming I need to know the depth of the tank as well as demission's.
-Main pump. x20 seem enough GPH? will one suffice? depends of the sump right?
-wave makers and a controller. controller is a big must for me. I looked at a couple and only a PH probe? why not ammonia or nitrate/nitrite?
-RO/DI, yea ill get one of these. Can you drink this water?
-Live Rock, 1.5lbs per gallon? so 150lbs? some in sump some in display?
Live sand, thinking 1-2"s?
SO as you can see still planning but don't want to buy something and realize I wasted money or could have done something different. I guess Im just introducing myself and if any of you have recommendations, please don't hesitate.
Thanks
So back a couple years ago my parents started a salt water aquarium. I was in love! And always have had a thing for salt water aquariums. Although my parents had a FOWLR, a trip to the LFS was always a treat. Anyways I have decided to start one myself. Its about 10 years since I was "in the game" but still remember some key bullets about owning a salt water aquarium. I have not bought anything yet, like the title says im in the planning zone right now. And still persuading my GF to help out when I do go away from time to time for work. So here we go.
My plan- I would like 100 gallon tank. I know bigger is more expencive but like the idea of a small water parameter freaking out and not instantly killing everything. I also would like a reef. lots of Live Rock and lots of inverts. mushrooms, polyps, anenomies etc. Gentle fish no triggers or lion fish but a tang maybe? goobies have always been my favorite like the mandorine gobby.
Some things I still need to figure out.
-the tank. Probubly gonna by used since its a lot cheaper. Would like acrylic just so I can put bulkheads in the bottom.
-the sump. Im leaning towards a sump with a refugeeium as well as Protien skimmer all in one style. Refugeium will most likely wait until the tank starts to mature.
-Lighting. I have no idea on this subject what I would need. Im assuming I need to know the depth of the tank as well as demission's.
-Main pump. x20 seem enough GPH? will one suffice? depends of the sump right?
-wave makers and a controller. controller is a big must for me. I looked at a couple and only a PH probe? why not ammonia or nitrate/nitrite?
-RO/DI, yea ill get one of these. Can you drink this water?
-Live Rock, 1.5lbs per gallon? so 150lbs? some in sump some in display?
Live sand, thinking 1-2"s?
SO as you can see still planning but don't want to buy something and realize I wasted money or could have done something different. I guess Im just introducing myself and if any of you have recommendations, please don't hesitate.
Thanks