[jenstaley]

I am just starting to set up my tank, and have a ton of questions!! (If I can ever get all the equipment set up I will anyways) I have an 80 gallon tank, with an ehiem canister filter, an aux powerhead, a UV sterilizer. Is this the basic equipment I will need to get started? I am doing a fish only tank, but I am confused about that.... can I still have anenomies and live rock (and what exactly is live rock) in a fish only tank? I know I am to add the damsels first, and let the tank cycle... do I add the clean up crew at this time also and what do I add for a clean up crew? Any other advice... I am lost and feeling like I bit off more than I could chew!!

[cofstl411]

I just started my tank about five months ago and I will tell you what I have learned from reading this website from a newbies perspective. You should have a good protein skimmer. A cannister filter is usually not recommended because it harbors waste that contributes to Nitrates. I believe water movement should be about 10 times the volume of your tank per hour as a reference. You can have a fish only tank with live rock and it is called a FOWLR. Anenomies are usually for the more advanced aquarist. They tend to starve to death slowly. I bought one and then I could not find it. I then noticed a small white tentacle sticking out of my powerhead. The whole thing got compacted into the powerhead. It was a mess. Most people don't suggest starting a cycle with live fish. A piece of shrimp dropped into the tank will get the cycle going. Live rock contains beneficial bacteria. It comes either cured or uncured. Uncured rock will start a cycle but usually smells pretty bad. I bought live sand and cured live rock and did not have a cycle. I did not notice one if I did. Damsels are not a recommended fish because they are very aggressive. An alternative for a first fish may be the blue/green chromis. I think they are just as hardy plus they are pretty peaceful fish. I have four of them and they school together. You should have an odd amount though. You should add the cleanup crew after your tank has cycled. Don't feel overwhelmed it just takes a while to catch on and you have to take your time. You are going to make mistakes. Don't believe everything you hear at your LFS (Local Fish Store). I bought a sand sifting starfish that was supposedly reef safe. I gets to be about 1' in diameter and eats a lot of beneficial stuff in your tank. Make sure you know what you are buying before you make an impulse buy. I would have to say this is one of the biggest mistakes that I have made. I also had a arrow crab that was wreaking havoc on my tank. If in doubt do a search on this website and then ask for help because the people here always respond and are very helpful. Hope this helps you a little.

[vtec si]

First on formost. WELCOM to Reefland jenstaley!

I agree with cosftl411 on the the canister filter that it can harbor wast and become a nitrate factory! But it can be used if mantained properly. I know a few people that use them with much success. They just have to be maintained. I will also second the use of a skimmer! The skimmer is one of the most important valuable pieces to hobbiest today. IMO! I would by the best and biggest you can afford. As to cycle a tank with live fish, NEVER should one put any fish thru the stress of a new tank being cycled. If you want FOWLR I would cycle the tank with LR all at once. This is just FME.
I would not get an anenomie until you have a few years under your belt as for they are light demanding (most of them) and need good water quality.
Just take it slow and you will be fine. Just keep asking the questions. You have found the right place!

Laters,
Martin

[The R/C Man]

jenstaley,

Welcome to Reefland!

A FOWLR tank is very easy to maintain. The live rock is your biological filtration and a skimmer will remove disolved organics from the water. That is all you need for filtration as long as you do a 20% water change on a monthly basis. As for an anenome, I would wait untill your tank is well established. Maybe 1yr. I know that sounds like a long time but your tank will go throughh many changes the first year and it will also help get you through the learning curve. Depending on the species of anenome they will require a certian amount of lighting. Be sure to research this a bit.... About the tank cycle, I agree with these guys. Using fish to cycle the tank is not the prefered method. Besides, you are adding fish to your tank that you may not particularly like or want to keep long term. I had this problem when I cycled my tank. To remove the green chromis I had to take every piece of live rock from the tank and messed up my nice aquascaping in the process. The rock never goes back in the way you had it the first time. I hope that helped a bit....