[boxers]

i'm in the process of getting another tank and was wondering what all i would need to get it up and running, it's a 65 gallon. i would like to have corals and fish , wondering how many lbs. of live rock and sand i would need and lighting. thanks

[Steven Pro]

As your first purchase, I would strongly urge you to buy a few goods books instead of equipment, rock, or sand. Mike Paletta's The New Marine Aquarium as well as Fossa & Nilsen's Reef Secrets are excellent beginner books.

You might also consider joining a local aquarium club such as http://www.marshreef.com/

[smidoid]

I'd agree with Steven. Read, read, read.

But since you ask, you need between 65 and 100lbs of live rock. Aragonite sand is an expensive but good choice. You don't need much - just enough to cover the bottom to about 1/4" deep. It becomes "live" from the rock bacteria.

I can't help on the lighting since that's largely personal and depends on what you want to keep. Many corals require very specialised (i.e. powerful) lighting.

[vtec si]

After you have all the right books the I would buy the best skimmer you can afford! After that do the research on all the equipment you may be tempted to buy! You do not want a grage full of stuff that you do not need! JME !

[boxers]

the setup i'm trying tp get comes with lights and a external overflow sump but no skimmer, i would need that