Just looking for some insight...

[Alan Hickman]

First, let me say I am brand new to the hobby. That being said, I have done a bit of research, and I am taking my time getting this thing set up. I plan to have it up and running by July or August. I have a 90g tank already on a stand, but am waiting on my CLF1-LifeReefugium before I start the cycle and get the whole system up and running. Got my RO/DI unit installed last week and it is currently putting out 0.00 TDS water so I think i'm good to go on that. Gonna install Apex Gold controller with either two Kessil 360s or two AquaIllumination Hydra 26s (thoughts on which one?).

I am also wondering about a quarantine tank. I really don't have anywhere to put one, except in my garage. It gets super hot in there for half the year, so I'm not sure how feasible it is to place a QT in there. Thoughts on this? I have considered a chiller, but would a chiller keep a tank in a garage cool enough, and is it worth the expense to do so? I do actually have a spare corner in my "hall" where i could place a corner tank, but it would suck to just have a QT sitting there with very little ability to make it look nice.

Any input on types/depths of sand? I am considering mixing 2 types of sand: Ocean Direct Original grade and Arag-Alive Florida crushed coral. Maybe I'm mistaken, but it seems this would be the best of both worlds when it comes to grain sizes. I am thinking 40-60 lbs of total sand for the tank?

I guess that's really it for now. Thoughts on this are much appreciated.

 

[flower]

Hi,

Welcome to the site!
Two inches of sand is IMO the best choice, unless you plan on critters that require a deeper sand bed. I wouldn't mix crushed coral with the sand, or use it at all...it's too hard for the CUC (clean up crew, of snails and such) to clean.

The best thing to do right now, is think about what you want to keep in the tank, and design it around that concept. A chiller is only really needed if you are going to keep critters that require cooler waters...such as the seahorse. A fan blowing over the water surface is usually all that's needed if things heat up...the T5HO and LED lights don't run hot like the metal halides do.

You will eventually need a skimmer, especially if you plan to have corals. Also if you plan for corals, purchasing the strongest lighting would be the best option.

A QT is IMO, a necessity. If for example, let's say 5 fish down the line, you introduce Ich when you added a new fish into your display. The only way to be rid of the parasite, is to leave the tank without fish for 6 to 8 week's ... what size tank will it require to house the 6 fish as a hospital tank, and where would you put that? Not only will having a QT prevent parasites, it will also help you pace the time between adding new fish, preventing a common newbie problem, adding too many critters too soon, and crashing the tank.

A small corner tank does not have to be ugly... fake plants and décor will give new fish a hiding place to feel safe, easing stress, and can be easily removed if the new fish needs medicine. I put a 10g QT right on top of my dresser, sitting on a towel to protect the top. They don't require all the set up a display tank does. A regular light, bubble line, a HOB filter and some kind of décor is all that's needed...paint the bottom outside of the tank to give the illusion of a sand bed...or sit the tank on a towel...I read someplace that a glass bottom left unpainted, causes the fish to be disoriented. I don't really remember what the reflected bottom did, but it was recommended to always paint the outside bottom for that reason.

 

[Alan Hickman]

Hi. Thanks for the reply. How many lbs of sand would I need to make a 1-2 inch sandbed in a standard 4 foot 90g tank?

The sump/refugium I purchased does come with a skimmer rated for up to a 250g tank (Lifereef SVS2-24 Protein Skimmer).

My wife wants all the finding nemo fish that are rated for a 90g or smaller, while I am also envisioning a few corals/anemones and things such as feather dusters, shrimp, some damsels, and of course the CUC. I plan on building a rock wall with some Pukani and BRS reef rock with caves and such. I'm not sure how that affects what we need, but that is our hopes.

Any suggestions on Kessils vs AIs with an Apex?

 

[lmforbis]

I used 5 bags in my 125 which has a only a little bigger area on the bottom. I have no Idea what size they were (probably 10 pounds).

I bought some of the BRS reef saver rock a few months ago and am very happy with it.

I have Kessils and absolutely love them. I have the Kessil spectral controller but they can be controlled with the Apex as well but you just need to purchase a cable to connect them.

A some of the Finding Nemo fish will work especially the ocellaris clown. Dory (Hippo tang) probably won't, they get way to big. I'd hold off on the damsels until the rest of your planned fish are in. They can be really agressive and have been known to harass them to death. I love damsels and will eventually add some to my tank but not until I have everything else in the tank

 

[flower]

Hi. Thanks for the reply. How many lbs of sand would I need to make a 1-2 inch sandbed in a standard 4 foot 90g tank?

The sump/refugium I purchased does come with a skimmer rated for up to a 250g tank (Lifereef SVS2-24 Protein Skimmer).

My wife wants all the finding nemo fish that are rated for a 90g or smaller, while I am also envisioning a few corals/anemones and things such as feather dusters, shrimp, some damsels, and of course the CUC. I plan on building a rock wall with some Pukani and BRS reef rock with caves and such. I'm not sure how that affects what we need, but that is our hopes.

Any suggestions on Kessils vs AIs with an Apex?

Hello, I have a 90g

Right now, at the same time you are setting up your display, set up the quarantine tank. I can't stress enough how important that is when you are stocking your tank, to quarantine every new arrival. It not only will prevent disease and parasites, but will also help you pace the additions, so you don't add too many too soon. Consider shipping charges as part of the price, ordering a bunch of critters all at once, to save on shipping, is unwise and a good way to crash the system. The cheap comes out expensive.

First...Stay away from damsels, they are very a beautiful, but aggressive mean little fish, known to kill any fish in the tank less aggressive then themselves. That includes killing off each other. They have the reputation of biting your hand, drawing blood after they mature. It will not matter when you add the damsel, it will still kill everything off less aggressive, and bite you drawing blood. There is a reason they are sold for so cheap.

A Hippo tang (Dori fish) is supposed to be in at least a 100g tank. You could purchase a smaller Hippo, with the plan to rehome later, but here is the problem with that... They have the ability to go completely flat and hide in the rocks. So if you decide to rehome the fish once it outgrows the tank, you have to completely dismantle the rock work, you will find the fish under the last rock you remove. Moving rocks in a tank that has been sitting for a few years (time it takes for the fish to outgrow the tank) runs the danger of releasing toxins from stagnant nutrients in the sand around the rock. You stress the fish, and all the other tank mates chasing the fish around to remove it. So the wisest thing to do, is to always buy a fish that can remain in your tank as an adult.

The clownfish (Nemo) should be purchased in pairs. Many people have more then one pair, but in a 90g I don't recommend it.

The rule of thumb, don't mix fish with the same body type, or color. Saltwater critters are very territorial, anything they view as competition usually ends badly. Now there are certain fish that have nice dispositions, such as the firefish, where more then one is okay, but that is not the norm. Do your homework, what you add will dictate what you can add later.