North lauderdale, fl

i would go with a pair of clowns as my first jmo

 

Good point. It really depends on the fish he wants as to which should be first.

Also great advice on getting an ro/di unit. I completely forgot about that. I ran my tank for the first year without one, but now I could never go back. It is way too convenient to be able to fill up a bucket in my garage instead of driving down to the lfs and hope they didn't change their hours again.

 

yea clowns are tough as nails. Plus let him watch finding nemo and he will be jumping for them.

 

So here it goes…
I like the tang for a fish but I would prefer something not aggressive (after the cycle). My wish list would be shot down quick from the reef experts so forget going by that. I’m still battling it out in my head to go community just for the reef otherwise I like the busyness of the tank. I’m looking for suggestions that will work for a reef. I love bright colorful ones or ones that are shaped really weird & unusual. Remember I have only had a FO with a few extras. Nothing close to a reef! I plan to have all types of corals (hard & soft & ones that move around too!) but want starting with a few fish & extremely easy to care for anemones. Once I have managed that then I’ll move a step up. I’m not sure the difference between SPS corals, LPS corals, soft corals so I’ve got some good reading to do. I want to get down the basics and slowly take my time in the transition so I’m starting now….
My sump is about 20 gallons under the tank with the white filter, bio-balls, black sponge & pump. That goes into an overflow on the back of the tank.
So during my transition …as of now….I need to get
*Test kits for a reef inclusive of Nitrate, Nitrtite, Alk, Magnesium, Phosphate, pH, Ammonia, also a magnesium test kit…..
*reverse Osmosis De-Ionization unit…. Is it easier to get this or just buy the ro water from the pet store?
* Power heads…soon as the rock is in they go in. That was the next thing for me.
*good skimmer - 1.5-2X you total water volume
*light fixtures…. T5HO I'd 6 or 8 bulb or MH - 2x250w setup….so what are the major differences in these. I had some basic lighting in the past on a timer. Is one more beneficial than the other, cheaper or does it even matter.
* What is a refractometer? I’ve never heard of this so explain this to me please. How is it used and what’s the benefit? At what point do I need this.

For the local J Where is the guy that sells the live rock? I usually get mine from fish’s paradise or all fish aquarium off mcnab & university…..

 

A refractometer is one of the best buys you can have. It tests the salinity better than a hydrometer for the simple fact the swing level can get sticky. All you have to do is put a drop of your tank water on the reader and put it in the light and see your readings. You have to calibrate it first with RO/DI water as the setting will be off. I bought one of ebay for 23 dollars and i worship it.

 

i'll post some pix once the rock is in. Think i'll go with the clowns and nemo!!! Nemo first!

 

Keep the questions coming. That's why we are here.

 

live rock usa

south florida all for sale / wanted classifieds "liverock usa" - craigslist

 

Hello and welcome to 3reef

 

first off,welcome to 3reef empressbet!..i live in hollywood fl. so we are practically neighbors. i had 2 sw tanks in the past and i just bought a 29nanocube and setting it up as a reef tank. do your research and ask questions on here, don't necessarily go by what the people at pet stores tell you. i have made that mistake and lost ALOT on money.