Namor
Reefing newb
Hi, I am just starting to actually get into the salt hobby, but I've read about it for years. I actually have a couple of questions, but I will just let you know where I am at the moment.
I have a 40 gallon breeder tank with pine stand, tank is drilled for one drain line, 1 return, the drain line has an acrylic box in place around it.
I have an outer orbit lighting system HQI/T5 fixture Aquarium Lighting - Light Fixtures - Metal Halide & HQI Light Fixtures - 36 Inch Outer Orbit HQI/T5 Fixture : Aquariumpros.com
an AquaC urchinpro protien skimmer (rated for tanks up to 100 gallons)
an Allglass Megaflow (model 2 rated for tanks up to 75 gallons) undertank wet/dry filter with a Blueline external pump rated for 480 gph.
and I have a Corralin calcium reactor (rated for tanks up to 400 gallons)
My plan is too keep tridacnid clams, lps and sps corals, along with an anenome and some soft corals in an indo pacific reef setup.
I plan on using between 50 to 80 lbs of liverock (probably Fiji) and a 1 1/2 to 2 inch bed of live sand.
I also have a 12 gallon Nano Cube DX for use as my quarantine tank, (with plans to upgrade to metal halide lighting for my clams and corals while quarantined).
Here are my questions (or some of them at least).
1. Am I being too ambitious for my first saltwater tank? I've tried to be well read on the subject (Aside from what I've checked out from the library, I own and have read the following: Reef Aquariums by Tullock, Saltwater Aquarium Models by Tullock, Marine Invertebrates by Shimek, Mini Reef Aquariums by Kurtz, The New Marine Aquarium by Paletta, The Reef Aquarium Vol 1-3 by Delbeek and Sprung, as well as having a subscriptions to Freshwater and Marine Aquariums, Tropical Fish Hobbyist, and Aquarium Fish International for the last 2 years). (note, I also understand some inverts are easier to keep than others, I plan on staying away from difficult corals, and going with easier sps and lps species).
2. I want the classic anenome and clownfish thing to happen in my tank, I have heard that bubble tip are the best for that, but that condylactis are hardier and that clownfish will go to them if there are no other anenomes, what is your experience with this? I'm worried that anenomes are difficult to care for and I would rather not kill such a beautiful creature, and want one to thrive.
3. Is the metal halide upgrade for my quarantine tank necessary for the 3-4 week quarantine period? I want to take good care of my corals and clams, but the cost seems high for a short period of quarantine.
4. I plan on keeping a light fish load, but I know that some of the inverts I want to keep (notably the clams) don't always do as well in a lightly stocked tank, with my filtration, I have heard that the best rule of thumb is 1" of fish for every 2 gallons of water, is this still considered accurate?
5. Is it better to stock all corals and inverts first, and then add fish?
6. I plan on placing my anenome before my corals, and letting it find where it wants to settle, and then placing corals, is this a good idea?
Well, I guess that is enough questions for now, thanks for any and all responses, and I look forward to being a part of this community.
I have a 40 gallon breeder tank with pine stand, tank is drilled for one drain line, 1 return, the drain line has an acrylic box in place around it.
I have an outer orbit lighting system HQI/T5 fixture Aquarium Lighting - Light Fixtures - Metal Halide & HQI Light Fixtures - 36 Inch Outer Orbit HQI/T5 Fixture : Aquariumpros.com
an AquaC urchinpro protien skimmer (rated for tanks up to 100 gallons)
an Allglass Megaflow (model 2 rated for tanks up to 75 gallons) undertank wet/dry filter with a Blueline external pump rated for 480 gph.
and I have a Corralin calcium reactor (rated for tanks up to 400 gallons)
My plan is too keep tridacnid clams, lps and sps corals, along with an anenome and some soft corals in an indo pacific reef setup.
I plan on using between 50 to 80 lbs of liverock (probably Fiji) and a 1 1/2 to 2 inch bed of live sand.
I also have a 12 gallon Nano Cube DX for use as my quarantine tank, (with plans to upgrade to metal halide lighting for my clams and corals while quarantined).
Here are my questions (or some of them at least).
1. Am I being too ambitious for my first saltwater tank? I've tried to be well read on the subject (Aside from what I've checked out from the library, I own and have read the following: Reef Aquariums by Tullock, Saltwater Aquarium Models by Tullock, Marine Invertebrates by Shimek, Mini Reef Aquariums by Kurtz, The New Marine Aquarium by Paletta, The Reef Aquarium Vol 1-3 by Delbeek and Sprung, as well as having a subscriptions to Freshwater and Marine Aquariums, Tropical Fish Hobbyist, and Aquarium Fish International for the last 2 years). (note, I also understand some inverts are easier to keep than others, I plan on staying away from difficult corals, and going with easier sps and lps species).
2. I want the classic anenome and clownfish thing to happen in my tank, I have heard that bubble tip are the best for that, but that condylactis are hardier and that clownfish will go to them if there are no other anenomes, what is your experience with this? I'm worried that anenomes are difficult to care for and I would rather not kill such a beautiful creature, and want one to thrive.
3. Is the metal halide upgrade for my quarantine tank necessary for the 3-4 week quarantine period? I want to take good care of my corals and clams, but the cost seems high for a short period of quarantine.
4. I plan on keeping a light fish load, but I know that some of the inverts I want to keep (notably the clams) don't always do as well in a lightly stocked tank, with my filtration, I have heard that the best rule of thumb is 1" of fish for every 2 gallons of water, is this still considered accurate?
5. Is it better to stock all corals and inverts first, and then add fish?
6. I plan on placing my anenome before my corals, and letting it find where it wants to settle, and then placing corals, is this a good idea?
Well, I guess that is enough questions for now, thanks for any and all responses, and I look forward to being a part of this community.