[queenangelRIP]

hey i was wondering if you guy could make me a checklist for what i would need to make a 55 into a saltwater also i was wondering if theres a cheep way of making or substitut for a wave maker

thanks

[Steven Pro]

I can give you a generic list, but if you can be more specific, I can make the list more specific.

Tank
Stand
Canopy?
Sand
Rock
Light
Heater
Protein Skimmer
Pumps
Refugium?
Light
Test Kits
Net
Multistrip
Timer(s)
Background
Book(s)

I reviewed some inexpensive wavemakers here,
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume...Wavemakers.htm

[charlie]

I think that books should be capitalized. Do as much research as you can before you dive in. I wish I would have known about places like this when I started up!!!

[queenangelRIP]

thanks ive got a nice coralife light and an emporor (250?) and a hang on back protien skimmer the tank and the stand i would like t do lots of corals and anenomies which i havnt realy done befor......and what do you mean by pump

[Steven Pro]

By pumps, I mean something to provide circulation/water movement. Powerheads are the most common means of providing this. Otherwise, closed loops, sump return pumps, or propellor-style pumps cna do this as well.

For books, I would suggest you start with Reef Secrets by Nilsen & Fossa.

[Steven Pro]

Also, I would also try to narrow your focus a bit. Not all corals will thrive under the same standard conditions. Look around and see what you like. Then try to come up with a wish list of sorts.

And finally, you can probably forgo the Emperor filter. It is unnecessary if you have enough liverock.

[queenangelRIP]

so i can completly go with out it and just have a protien skimmer ive never heard of that and how much is enough liverock i was thinking geting 60-70 lbs is that enough
and ive never had a refugium in any of my tanks ill go do some research on what corals i want

[queenangelRIP]

1. candy cane coral
2. green moonstone coral
3. sun coral
4. green open brain coral
5. yoostone coral
6. purple blue flower pot coral
7. green torch coral
8. frogspawn coral
9. long tentacle plate coral
10. monipora capricornis

as for soft corals

1. chili coral
2. colt coral
3. finger leather
4. red gorgonian
5. orange sea fan
6. tellow toadstool
7. colored zoanthid polyps
8. pom pom xenia

anemones

1. condylactis
2. bubble tip anemone
3. tube anemone

i am open to any sugestions on what to get and many of these i would not be willing to pay for i just listed them as "wish list" items unless its realy cool i dont want to spend over lets say 30 dollars on them and im definetly not geting all of these these are just the ones i want

[Steven Pro]

I would definitely cut the following from your list:

purple blue flower pot coral
long tentacle plate coral
red gorgonian
orange sea fan
condylactis
bubble tip anemone
tube anemone

And, these I consider borderline for a beginner:

sun coral
chili coral

[golfish]

Originally Posted by Steven Pro

I would definitely cut the following from your list:

purple blue flower pot coral
long tentacle plate coral
red gorgonian
orange sea fan
condylactis
bubble tip anemone
tube anemone

And, these I consider borderline for a beginner:

sun coral
chili coral

Good call...............most of these shouldn't even be collected

[queenangelRIP]

thank you very much unfortunatly i realy liked the sun coral and chili coral
but i guess that will be my goal to work torwards

[charlie]

My theory would be to start slow with some mushrooms, zooanthid polyps, and maybe a finger leather. These are rather good starter corals, and will help you get into a routine of cleaning and maintenance on your tank. They would also go good with the lites you have.
I would be willing to bet that most of the people that have replied here might have started this way.
Read my sig, nothing good ever happens fast in a reef tank.

[queenangelRIP]

thanks for all the info
does any one know if 65 lbs of live rock in a 55 gallon tank is enough not to have a emporor 250 filter and just a hang on back protien skimmer and a power head

[Steven Pro]

65 pounds of a less dense rock (anything natural of Pacific origin) should be plenty to forgo the Emperor, but I would use a couple of smaller powerheads instead of one larger unit.

[queenangelRIP]

ok thanks

[queenangelRIP]

thanks alot every bodys been a great help