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The one problem with starfish is that many tend to be VERY delicate (you'll be acclimating for hours). I have also read that it is not recommended to get one within six months time. I can't say anything specific about what species shouldn't be kept in the first six months, though. Of course, the Linckia stars should be avoided, but most starfish are not extremely hardy, so should be avoided for a while even after your tank is cycled.

The rule for live rock is at the very least you want a pound per gallon.

A clean up crew can be for algae or detritus. Nassarius, for instance, are not algivores at all and will only take care of uneaten food. Astrea are primarily algae eaters and aren't really gotten for eating detritus. Some people avoid hermits altogether so they don't go after your snails (though this should be avoided if you throw in a lot of small shells for them to take, though I have seen a humorous picture of a hermit that has taken a bumblebee snail's shell). There are also animals people get just to sift the sand, such as sea cucumbers or conchs. Many people do not trust sea cucumbers fully, as we don't seem to truly understand them (some people even believe they'll nuke a tank when they die like the sea apple). The best species of conch is the fighter conch, as it's smaller (as opposed to the potentially foot long Queen Conch).

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

are drs. foster and smith's website good to order these fish from? Im not going to get the lr from there but maybe the fish... (Lr's shipping is like $1.75/lb)

You can get nori from most oriantal food stores. As for meaty foods, I buy frozen squid from a fish store, then cut it up and freeze it.




Dan

interesting... I would love a link to any info on making your own food... Any suggestions on a tank mate for the clowns...?

there under $20 and work very well.

So are Maxi Jet 1200's. Probably even more reliable too.

The food will depend on the kind of fish you go with, some like nori, others do fine with flakes, some want meaty foods such as krill. Find out what your fish need and go with that kind of food.

As for powerheads, I just use the ones at walmart, there under $20 and work very well.

Most anemones get rather large, such as the seabe and carpet. So don't get these unless you are going with a large tank. The condys might be a good choice, but clowns do not host with that kind.



Dan

I'm going to be redundant now. Like Mikey said a variety of foods is best and if you look online you can find recipes to make your own food (smelly to make, but apparently very good for the fish if done right).

As to the subject of cost (also redundant), there are several options available. Some prefer to build their own equipment. I enjoy playing with this type of thing but I've had a few floods and don't do that anymore. My preference is used equipment. There is always quite a bit of equipment available on ebay, you can also join your local club if there is one. A member of mine broke his tank down and I got his lights and skimmer at a great price. Keep your eyes on classified adds, occasionally a really good deal comes along. These along with a few more ideas that others will contribute you will be able to make the tank much more cost effective. Good luck.

Raider_fish

Keep in mind anenomes need very high lighting, and shouldn't be put in a tank any younger than 6 months. Also, clowns do fine without them as well. If you do want them, expect to get MH lights, which will run you a few hundred dollars. They can sometimes be kept with less light, but MH is your best choice.

As for powerheads I like the Maxi Jets. They are very reliable and pretty cheap when bought online.

A variety of food is best. I have squid, mysid shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, emerald entree, one other mixed food, cyclopezee, and flake food.

Okay starfish are out. I was also thinking about getting a few anenomes. I have heard that clowns like them... I looked on ebay and some RO systems are 50 bucks. They can do like 25 gallons per day. And getting some type of food, still not sure. I'm still not sure about what kind of protein skimmer. I'm also not sure about what brands of powerheads that I'll use, butI am sure that I want 2 to keep the flow constantly circular (one on each side of tank).

As of late I think Instant Ocean has been losing some customers. They are charging the same amount, but you get less salt and can only make 40 less gallons. Also they did have some trouble with batches of their salt causing problems in peoples tanks.

Oceanic salt seems to be pretty popular these days, its cheap too.

A lot of people seem to like Instant Ocean as a marine salt.

A power filter is not required on SW; powerheads for current with a bunch of live rock will do. However, if you do want one, you can go with any power filter you want. If the filter comes with them, take the biowheels out as they will help create nitrates, which is not preferably in SW.

Apparently some people have gotten RO systems cheap on e-bay. If you can, that would be a good way, since they're usually pretty expensive otherwise.

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

very interesting shini. I have been looking at Dr. Foster and Smith's website and have seen some interesting packages on LR and on inverts.

What kind of filter should i get? What brand? Is there a specific brand of salt that i should get to mix with the water, and where would i get a filtering system to filter the tap water?

Okay for some time now I have been pondering SW aquaria. I currently have a spare 29gal that was fw. I simply want to turn it to SW. I need to know everything I will need. Filters, protein skimmer (I have no idea what that does.), different heaters, all the media, sand, rock, lighting, etc. I am a complete novice. I need to know how to clean it, how to maintain it, how to keep up the salinity, how to make my tap water okay for sw. I need fish suggestions, inverts, and whatever else there is.
Also is my 29 big enough to be stable?

clowns are a good choice.

I have just recently set up my 1st Marine system (50 UK gal)and currently have a pair of clowns and a pair of yellow tail damsels plus a few inverterbrates.

As for the clean up crew, this usually consists of small hermit crabs and various snails, mainly to clear the algae. What other inverts you have is up to you as long as they are compatible, the list is endless! (i'm seeming to like my Inverts more than the fish at the mo!)

I have a Scarlet Cleaner shrimp, Boxer Shrimp, Horseshoe crab & Black Sea Urchin. Fascinating!

A starfish should be ok, a Sand Sifting on ewould be beneficial in keeping your sand clean although you may never see it!!

As for lbs of live rock, i think the rule is about 2 per gallon, but thats off the top of my head. could be way out! I would suggets approx 2 inches of live sand.

I'm no expert and am still learning a lot of things, so others will be able to help you further! Just make sure you dont do anything in a rush, read up on everything, even if your LFS owner tells you it's ok!

Feeding them, can vary from spcies to species. But clowns should readily accept flake food and frozen Mysis shrimp etc. all available from your LFS hopefully!

Hope that helps in some way!

Rob

thank you all very much, I have been doing a lot of reading. I am probably going to go with a pair of percula clowns and im not sure what else. I am perplexed on all of the inverts and their purpose... I understand that they are a cleanup crew but not what does what. I also was wondering if a starfish was out of the question. Okay and for the setup I currently have on my list of thingst to get:
1 protein skimmer
2 power heads
1 CF lighting
? pounds of Live rock
? pounds of sand
1 pair of percula clowns
? cleanup crew
? filter
1 Salinity test kit

I also need to know about the specific care instructions of a SW tank. I know you cant leave it alone for more than 3 days...
Also what will I feed these fish?

A very basic set up for SW can be a little over $100, then go up from there. Lights can go several hunderd dollars if you want a reef. The more ways you can find to save money, such as building things yourself, or finding cheep alternatives will keep your cost down. An example. Sand can cost about $5 for a 5 pound bag, or you can go to home depot and get a 50 pound bag of southdown play sand, (no longer says southdown on the bag) for $7.



Dan

DI = De-Ionization (I think).

One suggestion Robo: READ! READ! READ!

It would be a huge help if you looked through some websites, books, etc. and found fish/corals that you would like to keep. That way, you can customize your system to meet the specific needs of said livestock.

Or

You can go extremely slow () like I do b/c you know you will change your mind a lot. What I think is cool today, I might think is bopring and redundant tommorow.

As for cost, it depends on what you want to keep. I wouldn't expect to get into this hobby without a hit to your wallet (another reason I go slow).

Depending on how crafty you are, and your level of patience, you might be able to get the tank set-up for a couple hundred bucks. As for stocking it, that's kind of up to you (and your wallet ).

-Justin

now the less important question, how muich should this set-up cost if I already have the tank...

A pair of perculas will in most cases be a breading pair, as they can change there sex. The larger is the female. As for corals. You can get soem mushrooms, these do not need as much light, and many look very nice.

As for water changes, you can use a cup to remove water, or a python to suck it out. With sand you do not vac the sand. When adding water back, it should be premixed and about the same temp.



Dan

Coral requires very good lighting and very good water quality.How about a FOWLR.....Fish only with live rock to start?