New Guy to Marine Tanks

[Flyboy450r]

Well I’ve been dreaming of putting together a fowler tank for yeas now and I have the space and the money now so I’m taking my first steps towards it. I’ve read every book and forum I can find and my head is spinning. I understand filtration, lighting, the fish pretty much everything but I really don’t know a direction to go. I really don’t have a budget but I have always had a issue of spending way to much money on my hobbies. So instead of going out and buying stuff I want to know what everyone thinks. I plan to set up a 55 gallon tank. Other than that I really don’t know. Id like to do live sand/ rock. As far as livestock goes maybe a trigger??? Maybe just do some small fish?? That’s all in the air. But I’m looking for any and all ideas. Should I get glass or acrylic? Should I get built in over flows? Should I go with a canister or wet dry filter? Any suggestions on skimmers? How about pumps? Lighting? I’m thinking a T-5 system? How about heaters inline or submersible? Also how much live sand I’m hearing a pound per gallon? And rock I’ve heard 1.5 to 2 pounds? I don’t have a lot of room to work with this so I plan to buy pre cured live rock and cure it again when I’m cycling my tank. Like I said I’m really interested in getting this going soon. I just don’t want to blow money on stuff that isn’t needed which I have a bad habit of. I’m not completely ignorant about all of this id just like some advice by someone that knows more than I do.

Thanks for all your time and advice Mike

[Flyboy450r]

Im thinking of going with a Sea Clear 2 tank. I've been reading of guy taking out the drip tray, bio balls, and chemical media tray and using mirco algae as to only form of flitration. He would just top it off with a ro system and add supplements. Is that really possible it sounds like it would be the easiest route. I mean that is if you have enough live rock and sand. I would still use a addtional pump head, and use a T-5HO Light System with lunar lights. I also think id run a protien skimmer. Here is the web page. Whats everyone thoughts on this?

SeaClear System II Is Recommended! - SeaClear Acrylic Aquarium - Epinions.com

[leebca]

That size tank is small for a 'normal' Trigger fish. You might want to set your sites on fishes appropriate for that size aquarium.

The best I could offer is to go through this procedure and write out all the things you need for this hobby, then price them either online or at your LFS:
Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium

[Flyboy450r]

I agree Im not happy with what people say about triggers and its not really the path I wanna go down. I have really been looking hard and I think Im going to go ahead and do a reef tank if Im going to hassle with live rock and sand Im just going to spend the money and go ahead with a reef tank. I have a 2 to 3 grand budget and I think for the size I want the sea clear sytem will work just fine. Cant really get many more people to comment. Ive became a big fan of the LA Fish Guy hes kind of opened my eyes. So if any one wants this moved or have this deleted its ok with me. Thanks Mike