I would like to offer one piece of advice to all the new members
Do your own research and especially don’t just take the advice of a person, especially if that person is depending on you to purchase items from them.
I my self have fell victim to shop owners that just want your money.
No lie this is how I got in this hobby 24 yeas ago. I was 17 and just got my first tax return. Me and my girl friend (now wife) had to go to a pet shop to get her step mom bird food.
I feel in love with the colors on the marine fish. Being a had a wad of cash burning a hole in my pocket I asked the owner what I need to have fish like these (pointing to tangs and angles)?
The owner sells me a 30g hex, a bag of live sand, bag of IO salt, and water conditioner. Tells me go home fill tank with tap water add a few caps of conditioner, then sand, and 14 cups of salt. Mix it for a bit then come back tomorrow and buy fish. So I did what he said. Yep you called it 4 days later I had a tank full of dead fish. So I go back to shop and asked what happened. He then asked if I bought a hang on the back filter. I said “no you didn’t tell me to”. So he sells me a HOB filter and more fish. Yep a week later a tank full of dead fish.
I then went to another pet shop and bought a book and started reading.
So I urge you to do your own research because there’s always someone out there that will make a quick buck off an idiot.
Here’s another story. I meet a local reefer not to long ago. He had got some bad advice for a shop and got got and over paid for things. So I told this exact same story I just told you guys/gals. I said b4 buying things Google search and look at reviews and specs.
So a few weeks pass and he asked if I had time to install a UV sterilizer on his tank. Unfortunately I didn’t cause work has been stupid busy. But I asked him what he got. He tells me he got a 18w UV. Well he has about 180g in water volume. No way is a 18w uv proper going to do the job on 180g. I tried to explain to him that it wasn’t going to cut it. I may have came off like a dick, but I was frustrated that had told him do some research. I’m not telling you this to be a dick I’m telling you this so you don’t do the stupid shit I did and don’t waist your money. Oooo yes I’ve definitely did stupid shit and spent a butt load of money on things to just die or fail.