New Tank

[codabob]

Hello
I'm new to this list even though I've been reading posts for a while. Two days ago I purchased a 20g Hex tank, Wisper 300 filter, 15lbs of live rock and 20lb Live sand. I bought the whole thing for a very reasonable price and I didn't want to pass it up. It's all set up and running and I'm not sure exactly what I should do next. I'm not planning on adding any fish to this tank, just do the reef thing.
I'm wondering if the filter is adequate? Do I need a skimmer? What do I add first after the tank has cycled for a while, when will I know it's time to add whatever I should add first.. then what?
As you can see I have lits of questions as I want to do this right the first time.
I'm goning to attach a pic of what I've got now.
Thanks

[wanareef]

I would suggest a HOB skimmer, maybe a bakpak instead of the Wisper. Your LR will do most of the filtering.

You stated that you have LS, I would suggest getting a cup or two from fellow reefers to "add" to the sand bed.

If you want to go reef and all depending on what you want to keep, will depend on the lights you will need. What about a sump? Or will you go sumpless?

You will need a Powerhead for flow in the tank - stay away from RIO (have heard too many bad things about them blowing up , melting down and fowling up the tank - at the LFS one day and the Rio she was using starting to "arc" in the tank kind of neat looking sparks underwater, then the breaker tripped and all the fish were fried fish)

good luck in this hobby - "remember go slow" nothing happens fast except disaster and that means $$$

Welcome to the obssesion

[codabob]

Wannareef.
Thanks for the info. I gotta be completly honest and say that I understood about half if what you said. Heh...Right now my light fixture has a "mini" double 8w white and 13w blue florescent bulb It's pretty bright and fits nicely on top of the tank although I think I will make "legs" for it.
Oddly enough, or maybe not, I don't know anyone else nearby who is into reefing so 'borrowing" a cup of sand wont work. I could just buy a couple pounds of LS at the local. sand/fish/reef/water store.
Sump or sumpless... hmm more research needed on this one. I am a total novice to all this so before I can answer that one I got to know what the heck a sump is! As far as the power head goes, I figured that a regular powerhead would move the water nicely because of the shape of the tank. I am wondering how far down into the tank should I place the powerhead?
Thanks again for the speedy response. I look forward to creating a good healthy reef and hope to share my progress with this list as I go.

[Jeremy1973]

Welcome to TRT Codabob!