Help upgrading my tank

[scolewtn]

I currently have a 48 gallon Bow Tank. I have had it setup with salt water aquarium for the past 4-5 years. I am looking to upgrade a bit but want to make sure I do it right. I have only fish, snails, crabs in my tank I am wanting to add live rock, mushrooms, etc. Our local pet store has live rock already cured so I can buy and place in the tank. I also want to change my filter system TOO LOUD, I hate it. I have a Whisper brand that hangs on the back of the tank. I would like to add a few more fish as well. I have 2 clownfish and would link to add a few tangs.
So 1) how much rock do I put in and what do the water conditions need to be
2) what type of filter system can I buy to upgrade or how do you maintain a tank with live rock and no filter, I've
only read about these
3) can I make all these changes at once, add rock- change filter system - add a few fish all at once, or what order should I make changes.
Thanks for your time in helping me.

 

[srfisher17]

1.)I'd suggest you really do some research.Read the stickys on this forum and a couple of good books on the subject. If you don't know what your water conditions should be, IMO, you're really not ready for fish. Folks on this forum love to help all they can; but I think its up to you to do the basic research first. I think you'd have a hard time finding an experienced hobbyist who would put any tang in a tank that small. A few tangs would be a huge mistake.2.) Systems with only LR also have a good skimmer.3.) I'd add the LR slowly, I really don't trust anyone else's curing but my own. I've seen LR in stores that is on the same water/filtration system as the fish. If you add LR from that type of set up; you're also, almost certainly, going to be adding parasites.3.) Please slow down. You have a small tank and changes need to be made slowly. It will be a while before you can trust your new filter system, that should be priority. When you know your bio-filter has been functioning (probably talking weeks); then add one fish, but avoid fish that will outgrow the tank.
I dont mean to sound harsh or crabby, but this hobby requires a lot of reading & research.