Extreme newbie!

iggynbren

New Member
I have been reading online and in books about establishing a new tank. I am posting here to ask opinion, I have not yet purchased ANYTHING and want to know what everyone thinks are essential for a starter. I will be purchasing a 75-100 gal. tank and will eventually want a mixed comm of fish and coral. TY!
 

drewsta

Active Member
Here you go
Good lights VHO/T5/MH
Live Rock 1-1 1/2 LBS per gallon
Sand, live or aragonite
Filtration HOB or Sump
Protein Skimmer
Keep on reading
 

iggynbren

New Member
oh and all the books say 3 in per ft but I have seen many tanks that do not follow this and does that include the clean up crew? Like I said, I know what the books say but I am wanting practical advise now.
 

coachklm

Active Member
it depends on the activity level of the fish. tangs will constantly speed back and forth from end to end so you cant compare 2 inches of tang to 2 inches of a hawkfish who sits on a rock all day..
 

iggynbren

New Member
I am looking at to start- Tangs, Clowns, and/or a Moorish Idol as well as clean up. I will also have at least 70 lbs live rock and eventually corals once I am comfortable with maintainance.
 

seasalt101

Active Member
i would definately wait on the moorish idol a few years yes years very difficult fish to keep good luck you have found the best resources when you logged on to this site these guys are good
 

iggynbren

New Member
Thanks for the info now could you tell my boyfriend that we need to wait on the moorish idol!
cause thats what I have been trying to tell him!
 

murph

Active Member
I will probably never set up another system without a large open sump behind the display with full easy access to both sides of the system; front and back.
You will most likely want to make many changes to your system in the first year as you gain experience and the two factors mentioned above will eliminate a lot of head aches as you go about doing this.
If you have the bucks and to be honest the tank(s) are actually cheap compared to other things your going to need/want. I would recommend two tanks of the identical size; one for sump one for display.
 

coachklm

Active Member

Originally Posted by Murph
If you have the bucks and to be honest the tank(s) are actually cheap compared to other things your going to need/want.
I would recommend two tanks of the identical size; one for sump one for display.

I just bought a 135g tank for 250$
= live rock at 80lbs 300$
= skimmer at 250$
= 50lbs live sand at 70$
= 150lbs playsand at 40$
= 150lbs base rock 100$
= 40b sump 100$
= DIY stand= 85$
=heaters, return pumps and powerheads 400$
 

iggynbren

New Member
Originally Posted by coachKLM
I just bought a 135g tank for 250$
= live rock at 80lbs 300$
= skimmer at 250$
= 50lbs live sand at 70$
= 150lbs playsand at 40$
= 150lbs base rock 100$
= 40b sump 100$
= DIY stand= 85$
=heaters, return pumps and powerheads 400$

Hours of enjoyment...... Priceless!!!!!!
 

dr. evil

Member
Originally Posted by iggynbren
Thanks for the info now could you tell my boyfriend that we need to wait on the moorish idol!
cause thats what I have been trying to tell him!
tell him a moorish idol is very difficult to care for and should only be done by an advanced hobbiest. and also tell him it is a very expensive fish as well.
 

drewsta

Active Member
Originally Posted by Dr. Evil
tell him a moorish idol is very difficult to care for and should only be done by an advanced hobbiest. and also tell him it is a very expensive fish as well.
They are not expensive around $20 wholesale $35 retail however like everyone said they are EXTREMELY DIFFICULT to take care of.
 

iggynbren

New Member
Yeah I was gonna say cause we saw one for like $40 but were told they were darn near impossible for a novice!
 
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