Just starting - 90 Gallon Salt Tank - Advice Wanted

[agrabow837]

Hey all -
I am firing up a 90 gallon salt water tank. I used to have a large 2 foot Snakehead in college as well as a fish only salt water tank (that was 6+ years ago though). I recently purchased a 90 gallon tank with lights, stand, skimmer, bio-thing, and a ton of other crap that i don't even know what it is from my parents neighbor for 300 bucks. It used to be her son's who upgraded to a 400+ tank. He volunteered to come over and set it up for me, but I am looking for advice on what to start the tank with.
I will be using live sand and live rock and defintely want to have some reef elements in the tank. I like active fish, but prefer more passive fish - tangs, clowns, etc.
Any thoughts? Any and all advice would be welcome.

 

[turningtim]

Well it all depends on what you have and where you want to go! Fish only or reef? What type of equipment did you get?
Read,read and read some more the best advise I can give you.
Let us know what you have and what you would like to keep and we'll help you out!
Welcome to the Boards
Tim

 

[agrabow837]

Thanks for the help. I want to do both fish and reef. Any thoughts on what to start with? How long does my tank have to be up before I can put a star fish in?

 

[turningtim]

Slow down! First off a star takes an established tank (6months to a year) and lots of LR to feed off of. Second need to know what lights you have for a reef, filtration and skimmer.
It will take weeks before you can add anything to the tank. You must cycle the tank first. Do a search and read up on how to start the right way. It will save you endless frustration and cash!
HTH
Tim