LR & LS ???

[superluker]

I haven’t bought anything except a Fluval 404 canister filter for my tank (been doing the research like everybody suggest). I want to start a 90 to 125gal tank that I can house corals, anemones and reef safe fish.
As you all know this hobby isn’t cheap and I don’t like to skimp on anything that will hurt in the long run. How much sand (pounds) would I need to buy in order to have a healthy sand bed? Does it all have to be LS or could I put live and dead sand? Also, I have the same questions about LR. I have read 1lb/gal. but do I have to have that much or can I add to it over time. My goal is to save a little money if at all possible.
Thanks,
Jason

 

[mikeyjer]

Originally Posted by Superluker
I haven’t bought anything except a Fluval 404 canister filter for my tank (been doing the research like everybody suggest). I want to start a 90 to 125gal tank that I can house corals, anemones and reef safe fish.
As you all know this hobby isn’t cheap and I don’t like to skimp on anything that will hurt in the long run. How much sand (pounds) would I need to buy in order to have a healthy sand bed? Does it all have to be LS or could I put live and dead sand? Also, I have the same questions about LR. I have read 1lb/gal. but do I have to have that much or can I add to it over time. My goal is to save a little money if at all possible.
Thanks,
Jason
You bet this hobby isn't cheap!!! For the sand part, yes you can put dead sand on the bottom of live sand. It all depends on how you want your tank to look in order to decide how much sand to purchase, you want a DSB (deep sand bed) or just a light layer of sandbed? There are options about going BB (bare bottom). I like my sandbed though, I put in about 60 lbs or so of aragonite into my 90g bowfront and I have about 3-4" of sandbed. But that's also because of my rocks taking up bottom space as well. And yes you can add well cured live rock into your tank over time as well. What you can't skimp on is the lighting you will need to keep corals and anemone. Start saving for that part, I will suggest a RR (reef ready) tank anyday over a overflow box. After I got into sump system, I really like it as it helps your tank and able to put all your equipment within so you don't have to put'em into your display tank. Plus your able to do a fuge system within as well depending on what you get.... :happyfish

 

[superluker]

What kind of lights should i get? where should i get them? about how much should i expect to spend?

 

[badoleross]

The type of lights you use also depends on the design/depth of your tank. Going with a 125 you might get away with T-5s but since you are setting up new I would go straight to MHs, 3/250w with 14000 bulbs. Definitey go with a reef ready tank w/corner overfow. Dont mess with overflow boxes. I have purchased all of my lighting on ---- (both a full 72" light strip for a 220 and retro MHs for my 110) from a seller called aquariumlightsand have been very pleased with the lights and there customer service. One of my buls arrived brokena dnthey replaced it within a couple days. Make sure you read read read on this hobby and tanke your time. In SW, nothin good comes fast.