All the input you can give me I am a human sponge for info..

[Andrew]

When i setup a tank, i begin with live rock (about 1 lb/gallon) and a shallow sand bed of 1-3 inches (never have had problems with this). It's best to test the water every few weeks (test kits needed) for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Once these all test zero every day for a week, you can consider adding fish slowly ;) . One every few weeks is best. For new marine aquarists, I ususally recommend fewer fish load (easier to maintain).

*Big fish don't do well in small tanks. I wouldn't recommend any tang species unless you have a minimum of 75 gallons. examples of other fish that need space, usually at least 75 gallons or more as adults, are most puffers, angels, triggers, many wrasse, groupers, butterflys, and a few others. See Scott Michaels' book Marine Fishes for fish info and selection.

If this is your first tank and you plan on trying corals, try soft corals like leathers, xenia, zoanthids, button polyps etc. You'll need high intensity lighting to keep corals.

hth
andrew

[MikeDeL]

Talk about trying to take it all in one bite. Start reading. There is a ton of info. Come to the meeting this month. You will need lots of flow and lots of lighting. When you think you have enough, double it. Check out as many tank setups as you can before you do yours. Once you feel you have learned enough to setup your tank, do it. While it cycles research somemore. As you get going you will run into more specific questions so dont be affraid to ask them here.

I'll start working on my book right here. J/K.

Get a copy of one of Eric Bornemann's book and that should help you get started on a good resource library.

I talked to the people at the bookstore and they said they ordered a few copies of Borneman's book a few weeks back, but they never showed up. :o >_< LOL J/K

[Poet2dagger27689]

Well right now I have 3 powerheads one pushing 275gph one doing 135 and one doing 200gph. For my filters I have a skilter 400 and a penguin bio wheel setup 180. The skilter isn't my only protien skimmer the other one give about 257 gph and the filters together are about 650 so all together I have about 1300 gph going at one time in a 55 gal. I went with a non carbon media so that it wouldn't be affected by byproducts of the carbon. It is a phosban and works well. the filter cartridges do have carbon though. I supplement with a all in one for the corals giving it a lot of calcium strontium iodine and trace elements. currently I have 5 turbos 1 large hermit and 5 little red hermits 4 emeralds a feather duster 1000s of copepods a med fox coral a decorater crab a small polyp and a very tiny anemone. I also have a large amount of nusince red slime algae. I have about 59lbs of live rock and another 3 pounds of aquifer rock. I have 2 ins for a sand bed. I have 220 watts running on the tank and a small florecent. the sand was live. I think that is it...Any tips add ons subtractions...overall suggestions?