equipment checklist

[jl209]

After a considerable blow to my checking account I think Im ready to put my first reef tank together. Just wanted to go over what I have bought and see if Im missing anything.

ASM G1 protien skimmer
Sybon refractometer
2x 50 gallon bags of Instant ocean salt
Kalkwasser mix
Calcium,amonia,nitrate.nitrite,and ph tests
via aqua water pump rated at 600gph
130W CF lighting 65w dual daylight/65w dual actinic
Will be picking up purified water soon also

I also have a sump Im making out of a 10 gallon tank(my main tank is 29 gal.). Can I put my skimmer in my refugium with live sand in it or will I need to make a seperate compartment for my skimmer? Im only going to have live rock in it for the first 6-8 weeks. Will I need to buy any kind of food for the critters on it right away?
Im a little nervous at this point lol. I hope my first sw tank goes smoother than my first freshwater tank!

[jl209]

oh ya and carib sea aragonite for the substrate

[Reefland]

You should add your skimmer to it's own section, or at least the pump. You don't want your pump sucking up sand from your refugium.

What size tank are you setting up?

[jl209]

My main tank is 29 gallons plus the 10 gallon sump I can make another section for the skimmer but then my refugium would be on the small side at about8"wx8"hx9.5". Can I try the berlin method and put the skimmer in with live rock? Or would it still need its own compartment? I would like to provide the best possible filtration for my tank it just makes life easier down the road.Also has anyone had any experience with drsfosterandsmith.com select lalo live rock? 30lbs for 119.00 and it seems like decent rock.

[Reefland]

You can surely do that with your skimmer. The only thing is to make sure the pump gets good water flow. I do not have any experience with that rock.

[jl209]

I appreciate the info