complete newbie

[clint_reno]

First up, bravo on a fantastic forum. This is an excellent place to get different opinions on a complex hobby.
I can't say I am a complete newbie, but pretty close. As a young boy I had a successful 10 gallon tank of tropical fish. I have always dreamed of a saltwater tank, and have just returned from ***** with a 35 gallon tank, and some basic start-up items. I have plenty of patience for this hobby, but have a beginning question, based on an earlier post.
I am under the impression that many here favor LS. I also noted in an earlier post that white sand can also be used. Could a combination of LS/white sand be used? While I will start out with a single fish after the cycling process, I want the option of adding anemones later.
The pet store recommended the Penquin 170 Bio-Wheel Filter, which seemed a good idea, as they were using them on their tanks. The Instant Ocean mix was also on sale, so I purchased this brand. None of these items have been opened yet.
I also purchased "The Guide to Starting a Marine Aquarium," which seems decent enough, but I am still up in the air regarding the bottom material. Opinion/comment greatly appreciated.

 

[nm reef]

Welcome to the hobby and the forums...I'd suggest using a aragonite based sand...I like smaller particle size myself. The majority of the sand can be dead...I like using about 20% LS to seed the rest. There are numerous products available that will work. I like caribSea sands and Natures Ocean LS.
Best of luck with your new system.:yes:

 

[luvnluk]

I think it's a great idea to combine LS and white "dead" sand. Aragonite is the best choice, IMO. The LS will seed the dead sand, especially through the cycling process in a new tank.

 

[clint_reno]

I will take your advice. I believe ***** carries the Nature's Ocean brand.

 

[jrpage]

:cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

 

[dreeves]

And also...other then the tank...buy your stuff online...prices are usually a fraction of what you pay locally...

 

[flydan]

Hey,
Welcome!
If it's not too late and you have the room, you might want to concider getting a little bigger tank. Anything less than 55gals is concidered by most to be a nano system. Very hard, but not impossible, to keep water perameters stable. IMHO
Just an idea that might save you some heartache down the road.
Dan'l

 

[beaslbob]

first of all welcome.
I am glad to see that you are researching this hobby. In your research please research the effects of plant life. If you first establish a thriving plant growth then most everything else is optional.

 

[clint_reno]

Thanks for the advice Flydan & reeves. Unfortunately I do not have the room for a 55 gallon. My new 35 is an upright tank on a stand, and I just have enough room.
I purchased the wooden stand, w/door and storage area, tank and fluorescent light for $149 at *****. I thought that was an okay deal.
Unfortunately this type of tank has less exposed surface area compared to a traditional box tank. So there is not as much area for oxygen exchange.
I just got my tank filled and have added the Instant Ocean. I just assembled the filter and I am about to start it up. The owner's manual makes some pretty wild claims about this filter. It has a Bio-wheel, which adds "30,000 times more oxygen than any underwater biological filter." It is made by Marineland, which I guess is a good name. I paid $38 for the Penguin 170. (170 gallons per hour.)
***** also had some decent prices on marine fish, although not much of a selection. There are a small handfull of mom & pop pets stores around here that have marine species. I plan on visiting them down the road. (I'll do business with them, too.) I like what I see on this site, although how does the shipping work?

 

[atf88]

i havnt purchased n e thing from this site yet, but i plan to some time this week or next. Ive heard a lot of comments of how much people like how they shipped their livestock and how all their orders got to them in one piece. with all the posative feedback i read on it, i have no doubt n e thing will go wrong. and i think they have a week guarentee or something like that too. not only that but the prices are much better than ive seen at n e LFS.
Good Luck, Andy :santa:

 

[kzlen]

I would look into a protien skimmer instead of a filter