Okay, here’s the deal…
My sister (who lives in NYC) has a reef tank and wants me to take her fish and critters when she moves to Hawaii this summer. My previous experience has all been with freshwater, but I have agreed to help her out, and recently purchased an aquarium on Craigslist. I am starting to get excited about it, but am also scared about how much money this is going to cost me now and in the future. The aquarium I purchased was alleged to be acrylic and 55 gallons, but I am fairly certain it is glass, and possibly of a somewhat greater capacity (dimensions are approx. 41x16x21). It has a hood with three strips of lights – they appear to be regular flourescent, but what do I know. I need advice on what kind of replacement bulbs to buy (I think the ones in it are old, but they do work.) I can’t really find any writing on one of the longer two bulbs or the shorter one, but the remaining long light says Jebo LuxLine Plus F30w. I have read through a lot of posts on the board, which is great, but everyone has different problems and ideas, so I am also still having trouble with what kind of filtration/current/skimmer equipment I really need. For instance, someone was looking for a skimmer and a beginner model was proposed that was close to $200 – I am looking for something a bit more economical. By the way, I currently have the stand on a dresser, so a sump doesn't really seem to be feasible. I do plan on buying some live rock now (and she will send me some of hers) and buying live sand to hopefully cycle the tank faster (also, buying live sand on ebay seems to be cheaper than buying regular aquarium sand.) The fish I will be receiving are two percula clows and two firefish gobies. Please let me know what you think. Thanks!!! Alice