New 30G Setup

[fpg]

I've been a pretty active Aquarium Hobbyist in the Freshwater realm (even bred Angelfish for awhile) but I've never made the jump into Saltwater. I'm wanting to change that with a spare 30 Gallon aquarium I have sitting around. I know that Saltwater aquariums require a bit more care so I have a few questions before I go get my feet wet.
First things first a little background. I'm wanting to setup a Clownfish tank (with one Royal Gramma as I'm a MN Vikings fan). I believe this constitutes as a FOWLR tank. In the beginning I won't be providing them with an anemone due to heightened tank requirements but I will leave that as an option later on.
I'm looking at getting False Percula's (1 Black and White, 1 Normal, 1 Misbar, and 1 N@k3d [sorry, filter caught that word]). I've read that False Percula's are pretty Mild Mannered and that if they're introduced at the same time the 4 Clownfish will hopefully get along fine. I'd like to go this route unless you guys would strongly advise differently. I'd also like to throw a Picasso Percula in there if it wouldn't make a difference but I've heard that Percula's can be more agressive than False Percula's and that they're harder to take care of.
Ok, so a few of my questions are:
1. For the Biological Filter, is it ok to get a small Live Rock and mix Live Sand with Standard white sand for the substrate?
2. For this size of tank, is it required that I spend $150+ dollars on a Protein Skimmer or will Monthly water changes suffice?
3. What invertebrates would you recommend in helping keep the tank healthy?
4. I know Anemone's require water movement, but if I go with just fish is a Powerhead required?
5. How would you recommend me cycling the aquarium?
6. I recently visited the ocean, is it fine for me to place Driftwood and rocks in the tank (as long as they're bleached first)?
Thanks to those of you who read this entire thing. I'm really excited to getting this thing underway but I definitely want to hear the opinions and advice of the saltwater community first before I get started.
oh... and Hello from the newbie

 

[salt210]

1. yes
2. you still want a skimmer
3. hermits and snails
4. keeps trash in the water column so yes
5. put your rock and sand in, and then if necessary put a raw table shrimp in for a day or so
6. no, they could possibly bring contaminants with them,( missed the bleached part, it is illegal to harvest rocks from the beach. sorry)

 

[locoyo386]

Hi there,
I will answear your questions as best as I can.
Originally Posted by FPG
http:///forum/post/3074499
1. For the Biological Filter, is it ok to get a small Live Rock and mix Live Sand with Standard white sand for the substrate?
That will be fine, I would use minium 7-10 lbs of LR. I am not sure what you mean by "standard white sand", but dead sand mixed with live sand will be ok maybe around 20-3 lbs total sand.
2. For this size of tank, is it required that I spend $150+ dollars on a Protein Skimmer or will Monthly water changes suffice?
Personally I will say no, you don't need a skimmer. I hoever will recomend to use two (one each side of the tank) 250 gph hang on the back filters for a total of 500 gph.
3. What invertebrates would you recommend in helping keep the tank healthy?
In my tanks, I only have cleaner (skunk) shrimp, hermit crabs and turbo snails. The amount depends on the need as your tank will mature. You could start with two cleaner shrimp, 6-small hermit crabs (blue legged are my favorite) and maybe 2-turbo snail (to start with). Al these after you cycle your tank.
4. I know Anemone's require water movement, but if I go with just fish is a Powerhead required?
You don't need for the fish but you might need for water movement. This will help prevent cyano bacteria. I have small ones on my 20's and 30 gallon tanks. They are rated for around 50 gph, and I only used them at the bottom of the tank. Keeps water moving on the surface of the sand but keeps it from being scattered.
5. How would you recommend me cycling the aquarium?
You could ghost feed or use cocktail shrimp from the groceiry store.
6. I recently visited the ocean, is it fine for me to place Driftwood and rocks in the tank (as long as they're bleached first)?
Not sure about this one, but I am incline to say yes.
Thanks to those of you who read this entire thing. I'm really excited to getting this thing underway but I definitely want to hear the opinions and advice of the saltwater community first before I get started.
oh... and Hello from the newbie

 

[fpg]

Thanks for your guys' quick replies. I think I'm getting a pretty good feel for what I need to do next for the tank. Although there's still one thing that I'm confused on that I should've put in the questions.
1. Will those 4 false percula clowns (if introduced at the same time) be fine together?
2. What about adding a fifth Picasso Clownfish?

 

[coastie5685]

whatever clownfish you add together at the same time from the same tank at the lfs SHOULD be fine.
sometimes as they get bigger they will become more aggressive towards each other and claim dominance or just become a mated pair. but why 4 clowns in a 30g?
a lot lol... i would go with two picassos if your goin to do that.
o.clown and a picasso will look odd. it will make the false perc look .... cheap. lol
either way 2 clowns would be good in a 30g.

 

[fpg]

I figured since they only ended up being 4 in. that they'd be fine, but I suppose if they ended up territorial towards each other in a 30G that could be a problem.