Getting ready to order my first salt water aquarium...

[Hiren]

Hi everyone!

Well, my fiance and I have finally decided to take the leap and get into the hobby. Over the past couple of months we've tossed the idea back and forth and have decided to order ourselves a nice 92g corner aquarium. Our goal is to build up a reef tank with an emphasis on corals. Which corals I'm not quite sure, I'm doing that research right now. I do know that my fiance and I like the "wavy things growing on the rocks." I'm also finding I like the idea of having a clam or two, and maybe eventually a Clownfish/Anemone pair.

So, here's my first couple of questions for you guys here at TRT:

1. Regarding live rock, I'm seeing that many of you recommend I purchase maybe only a couple pounds of live rock from the LFS, and use that to seed the rest of the base rock I choose to put in the tank. Knowing that I'm going for a coral-heavy tank, should I be concerned with anchoring my rock to each other or do I leave it loose (but stacked sturdily)? If it's anchored/epoxied together, how I would move it around or do frags?

2. Speaking of frags -- when I see frags mentioned are we talking about a peice of the coral, or a peice of the coral attached to a fragment of rock? How does a simple peice of coral attach to the rock in my tank?

3. Does anyone have any tips for a newbie... something along the lines of "now that my tank is two years old, I really wish I'd done this to start off with." Something that may save me alot of work and heartache as the tank matures?

I've been lurking around the forums for about a week now and these are the questions that are facing me at this point. Any help you guys (and gals) can provide is definitely appreciated. And of course, when the tank comes in and I start building it up I will be posting pics and a blog.

[DarthOcellaris]

welcome to trt!!

1. that's what I would do...just buy a pound or two and let it populate the cheaper base rock That crap gets expensive. If you decide to get more than a few pounds, I'd recommend cooking it. That will yield some GREAT live rock

2.frag = fragment of coral

3.I wouldnt really change anything I've done..I started out with a 'mixed' reef with sandbed and have learned a ton from my expierences...I'm now learning some more with a barebottom nano ....If I could give you some 'newb' advice..that would be to purchase the best equipment up front instead of skimping on the cheap stuff...you'll spend more money in the long run with cheap equipment.

[DarthOcellaris]

one question...what kind of corals are you thinking of keeping? Mix of softies, lps, sps? Or a dominiant species? The answer will help you decide on equipment.

[hng]

Originally Posted by Hiren

Hi everyone!

Welcome to TRT!

Originally Posted by Hiren

Knowing that I'm going for a coral-heavy tank, should I be concerned with anchoring my rock to each other or do I leave it loose (but stacked sturdily)? If it's anchored/epoxied together, how I would move it around or do frags?

Either way will work. I have mine stacked carefully and not epoxied together. I rarely, if ever, move my rocks around, and usually end up regretting it when I do.

Originally Posted by Hiren

2. Speaking of frags -- when I see frags mentioned are we talking about a peice of the coral, or a peice of the coral attached to a fragment of rock? How does a simple peice of coral attach to the rock in my tank?

Both are examples of frags, they're usually described as "mounted" or "unmounted" to show if they are attached to anything. Corals attach by growing onto the new piece of rock.

Originally Posted by Hiren

3. Does anyone have any tips for a newbie... something along the lines of "now that my tank is two years old, I really wish I'd done this to start off with." Something that may save me alot of work and heartache as the tank matures?

Read and ask as many questions as possible before you buy a single thing. The biggest problems are when you get something out of impulse and then find out it's no good or can't be used for your system. This is an EXPENSIVE hobby, make each purchase count. You can post questions and bouce ideas off people in here and we'll give you an honest answer if it will work or not. Patience!

[Hiren]

Originally Posted by DarthOcellaris

one question...what kind of corals are you thinking of keeping? Mix of softies, lps, sps? Or a dominiant species? The answer will help you decide on equipment.

I think we're going to end up with a mix. I plan on starting the tank with Zoanthids and soft corals at first. I can see myself moving into the LPS/SPS realm as I gain experience in the hobby.

Originally Posted by hng

Read and ask as many questions as possible before you buy a single thing. The biggest problems are when you get something out of impulse and then find out it's no good or can't be used for your system. Patience!

Yep, I've been reading like mad recently as I'm ready to drop the money on the tank now. I've got a great LFS guy literally across the road from me, and living in Miami FL there's no shortage of aquarium stores and warehouses. I've been asking them questions but TBH, some of you guys have more intricate tanks than anything I've ever seen!

Originally Posted by DarthOcellaris

welcome to trt!!

1. that's what I would do...just buy a pound or two and let it populate the cheaper base rock That crap gets expensive. If you decide to get more than a few pounds, I'd recommend cooking it. That will yield some GREAT live rock

2.frag = fragment of coral

3.I wouldnt really change anything I've done..I started out with a 'mixed' reef with sandbed and have learned a ton from my expierences...I'm now learning some more with a barebottom nano ....If I could give you some 'newb' advice..that would be to purchase the best equipment up front instead of skimping on the cheap stuff...you'll spend more money in the long run with cheap equipment.

Thanks Darth. My fiance and I are prepared to spend what it takes to get up and running with the right equipment. I'm sure I'll have many more questions as we progress through the startup.

[jadefox]

Welcome, and good luck. Seriously consider a calcium reactor IMO. Will your filtration be sump-based?

[Loverotties]

Welcome to TRT! so if your going to get hard coral down the way ,buy the right lighting system at 1st instead of buying to lighting systems!

[motorslave]

Welcome! Your skimmer will be th most important part of your st up. Dont skimp here. Most manufacturers over rate their skimmers so get one rated far above your total water volume. Also, if you plan on clams and an anemone, you will want metal halide lighting. This will allow you to keep anything. Flow will be important also. Look at power heads and do a search for CLS here. (closed loop system) flow should work for you an keep poo and such suspnded so it can be removed by the skimmer and not saturate the substrate.
The most important thing is patience,above all else. To do it right takes time, use that time to read nd research.
And, welcome to the insanity! Your life (and your wallet) will never be the same!

[ChrisPrusha]

Welcome aboard!! And please continue to ask away!

[Hiren]

Originally Posted by jadefox

Welcome, and good luck. Seriously consider a calcium reactor IMO. Will your filtration be sump-based?

Yes definitely. In fact I don't think I've researched any other filtration type. I kindof assumed I'd be working with a sump.

[Hiren]

Originally Posted by motorslave

Welcome! Your skimmer will be th most important part of your st up. Dont skimp here. Most manufacturers over rate their skimmers so get one rated far above your total water volume. Also, if you plan on clams and an anemone, you will want metal halide lighting. This will allow you to keep anything. Flow will be important also. Look at power heads and do a search for CLS here. (closed loop system) flow should work for you an keep poo and such suspnded so it can be removed by the skimmer and not saturate the substrate.
The most important thing is patience,above all else. To do it right takes time, use that time to read nd research.
And, welcome to the insanity! Your life (and your wallet) will never be the same!

Great info Motorslave! Thanks for the heads up.

I hadn't yet heard the term "Closed Loop System." I'll do a search. I'm already planning for powerheads.

I was going to ask if I needed MH lighting - and it seems that I do. I'll take the advise everyone's giving and go ahead and get that right from the start. In fact, I was looking in a display tank this evening at one of our local shops and saw that he had a clam in his tank.

Every time I see a tank I can't wait to get started on my own.

[motorslave]

A CLS will elliminate the need to have power heads in the tank. Gets rid of the clutter. Also for the anemone, it is best to wait for the tank to be very mature, like a year, before adding one. Many people dont wait but I personally feel its best to cover your bets and take your time.

[Hiren]

Originally Posted by motorslave

A CLS will elliminate the need to have power heads in the tank. Gets rid of the clutter. Also for the anemone, it is best to wait for the tank to be very mature, like a year, before adding one. Many people dont wait but I personally feel its best to cover your bets and take your time.

Yeah all the research I've done indicates to wait on the anemone. I'm really in no hurry. The way I figure it - it'll give me time to get used to messing around with all the other crazy stuff before I let an anemone loose in the tank!

[motorslave]

Thats the best attitude right there! Something else good about getting MH to start is that at some point it is very probable you will expand on what you want to keep. This will eliminate the ned to buy new lights! The same can be said for buying a very good quality skimmer. Buy the absolute best you can. I skimmped on my first due to lack of knowledge, on my second I got a great brand (Euroreef) just not all that big, now I have an MRC MR-2 that I have added a scond injector to and also added an 8" riser extension. Its definately enough for the system Im building.
I must say though, I have my eye on a new one allready ( I tend to get ahead of myself). Definately get a great skimmer!

[jadefox]

Ditto on the CLS. I run an Oceans Motions 4-Way on my CLS in my 135-gallon reef tank, and it makes all the difference.