And the tank begins

[phisherman]

So I am just about ready to get my salt experiment under way. It will be a FOWLR to change into a reef when I/ the tank are ready. I have a 46 bow that will have a 5 inch DSB. I plan on using southdown for the bottom four inches and then an inch of LS from the lfs (to minimize die off). Then I will add the LR. Now the questions is, should I start with cured LR and add a shrimp to cycle, or should I buy the inexpensive stuff on line and let that do the cycle for me? Does LR need to be acclimated to the tank it is being moved into? I would like any suggestions as to amount of LR.
Also, I am wondering about circulation. I was planning on either one or two AC powerheads (Hagen hq is minutes from my house). Should I go for one 802 or 2 402's or one of each. Since i am not familier with the products I would appreciate any opinions.
Also I am getting a 110watt PC fixture from all glass. This is in my price range and I don't plan on getting light loving corals for at least a year. My stock list has been narrowed down to the following canidates.
1 bangaii
1-2 firefish gobies
1 royal gramma or neon dotty back
1-2 tomato clowns
Inverts have been narrowed down to
CBS shrimp
cleaner shrimp
pistol shrimp
exact members and numbers are in the air, any suggestions would be appreciated
10 scarlet hermitts
tiger tail cucumber
10 astrea snails
1 fighting conch
corals to be decided later unless I should add them before I have some or all of the fish in. Which would be better or does it not matter.
As always thanks for any feed back

 

[phisherman]

I did not have a main fish in mind. I did not really have my heart set on any one particular fish, just some cool fish that would get along fine and have no problems. I did like the CBS shrimp due to its size and affordability but I'm cool with shrmp that will not kill anything else. What about arrow crabs, any commnts on those?
How about maroon clowns, would they work?

 

[slothy]

Clowns would make anice addition , a pair even.. or a 6 line wrasse very colorful and active.. i have a firefish in my tank, but i was told only keep them single or in a large group.. so i went with a single one.. dont know how true that is but cant go wrong with one hehe
As for the arrow crab.. they tend to be on the mean side.. mine doesnt bother anything in the tank before him, but i added a porclein crab a few weeks ago, and he went right after it and killed in it no time.. very neat critter but prob not the safest choice. emeralds are nice.. peppermint too.. stay away from sallys

 

[phisherman]

anyone have any ideas as to powerheads?