Newbie needs advice

[paul woodward]

Hello, I am setting up my first marine tank (75 gallons). I have the temp at 78 deg, and a protein skimmer running. I am thinking of adding an Amiracle SL-250 and perhaps a Fluval 404. Any thoughts on my choice of filters? Also, I would like to set up a communtity tank with coral, inverts and fish. Any general recommendations would be appreciated as to what to get? I am a bit hesitant to add whole fish and reef packages offered on this site for fear of losing the whole crew. I know to start with a few Damsel's to prep the tank. I also know that I need to get the biological filter at least before adding them.
thanks, Paul

 

[reefermadness]

if you are not planing on keeping the damsels
i wouldnt get them.
they are harder than hell to get out and there very territorial
try using a chromis instead
good luck

 

[jim672]

Paul,
Welcome to the Board. You've got some planning to do and many choices to make BEFORE you need to think about adding fish or invert packages.
Think about filtration. Do you want to have mechanical or biological filtration? If mechanical, the Fluval 404 is a pretty good , inexpensive unit. This bb is a very good source of information. Use the Search feature on "filtration" to secure lots of information before you spend any money. Do you want live rock? If you decide on biological filtration you'll need lots of lr....a lb. per gallon. Do you want live sand as your substrate? If so do you want it just for aesthetics or as a deep sand bed? If a dsb, you'll need it 4 to 6" deep.
Again, use the serach feature for more info.
You'll want to have these decisions made and add all the "stuff" to your tank so it can cycle. By the way, you don't need damsels to cycle. The die off from live rock can begin the cycle and if you decide to not use lr, you can just add a cocktail shrimp or two.
Take some time to read all you can. There are lots of good books available, too. "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" by Fenner is very informative.
Continue to ask questions and good luck!
Jim

 

[new]

welcome, i am new here as well, and you sound just like me. i have a 75 high tank that was just going to be fish only and started it that way. well the cycle got established after i killed $100 in fish, got impatient don't do that. in resarching what fish i wanted kept running into the live rock and came to conclusion that i will be adding a hang on sump system and going reef . as a fish only tank i have the fluval 404 and it will stay in place with the new system and i have no complaints with it at all very easy to maintain and change the filtration elemnts.