Do I have a good plan?

[amandanw89]

I have decided to start a salt water fish tank. I have never really had much fish, maybe just a gold fish or two, but have been wanting a big tank for a while. I have been researching all about salt water tanks for about 2 months now. I have read about 6-8 books about marine tanks and fish from the library, and I have been lurking around the boards. I also went to my local pet shop and talked to the owner about salt water fish. Well I have decided that I am going to start a mixed reef tank, and wanted to see what everyone thought of my plan.
I am going to begin buying supplies and in about 2-3 months set up a 46 gallon bow tank. I plan to just set up my water and equipment (not sure which type of lighting or filters yet) for about 2 weeks before adding my live rock.
Then I plan to let my coral and live rock grow for 3 months before adding inverts. Which will be most likely some snails, crabs, and shrimp.
2 months after adding my inverts I would like to begin adding fish. I will probably start off with a yellow goby and a regal tang. A few weeks later add a mandarin dragonet. And then see where that takes me.
I would love to hear some suggestions on what type of equipment to use, How much live rock, and if those seem like good starter fish. Please post some suggestions, I would like to hear what everyone has to say.

 

[babyb]

i skimmed through it,
a regal tang gets way to big for a 46 bow as would any other tang, and a manderin needs lot pods to eat, and im not sure it would have enough food

 

[babyb]

some good started fish are clown, gobys, damsels, and i cant think of anymre but im sure there are some more

 

[scotts]

First of all congratulations for starting out the right now, not like me.

I jumped into this hobby. However I do have to agree that your blue tang will get too big for your tank. You have to remember in this hobby to not only plan on the fish as you see them now, but how big they will grow. Also your mandarin, they can be picky eaters and mainly eat pods. Pods are little critters that can live in you live rock. I am not sure if you can have enough pods in a 46 gallon to support a mandarin. Although if you have a refugium or sump that will help not only with your tank but with your pod population.
Hope this helps and that I did not confuse you more.
Welcome to the board.

Scott

 

[amandanw89]

Thanks, you didnt confuse me I've been doing my research (atleast on the fish I am lost when it comes to the equipment ive been trying to read about it, its just so confusing!) My book says that mandarinfish also can eat brine shrimp, do you think it could survive on plenty of brine shrimp with occasional pods? Thats what I was going to try to do. I knew that tangs require lots of space, but since regal is one of the smallest tangs I wasnt sure if it still required so much room. I dont think I will try a tang though, just to be safe.

 

[reeffreakgeek]

If you find a Mandarin that is already eating brine(although mysis is better)than you should be good to go.Most don't at least not right away.It took over six months for my Mandarin to start eating mysis.They are also slow eaters so aggressive fish may out compete with them.
As far as equipment(filters,lighting etc.)
There is so many paths you could take,simple to elaborate.Your better off asking specific questions and maybe someone can help.
Best of Luck