coming back from a 15 year hiatus

I am super stoked to have something like this available to me today.(online forum) I just recently purchased a 90 gallon bow front tank off of craigslist. Came "reef ready" so to speak. Aqautic Life T5 hood, eheim 2215, powerheads etc. Also came with about 50 lbs. of base rock, and I have added about 20 lbs of new fresh LR. I have 30 lbs. of live sand on the bottom as well. Which, btw is kinda new to me. Live sand was just beginning to be talked about back in the early 90's. But I am also seeing other good changes since being gone. I am staying very open-minded to anything new, and not gonna pretend like I know anything.

Taking it slow, and debating on what exact route im gonna go. I travel a lot for work, and don't wanna get too crazy initially. So I'm thinking easy star polyps, and some softies. I'm not so much worried about the fish side of it. That will work itself out depending on what is available I guess.

One question so far. I think I need a protein skimmer, and have been told I don't, unless I get crazy with the corals, and too many fish. I'm just not that familiar with a canister filter, and what it truly is capable of. So any experience with this...I am open to suggestion.

Glad to be back. thanks,
Chris (Dowtish)

 

if you travel often you might want to think about a apex or another brand controller. that you can monitor your tank from any computer access. they also send you emails to let you know there is a problem. that way you could have someone go over to fix whatevers going wrong.

in my opinion a protein skimmer is not needed in the first few months. but keep a spot planned for it. because they do work

 

Welcome to 3reef and back to the hobby.

Canisters need to be cleaned every two or three weeks to keep them from producing a lot of nitrates. They are very effective for chemical filtration which is what I suggest you use it for. The live rock and sand will take care of nitrogen reduction. I f you are the road I agree with pink4miss on the controller.

 

do you have any links on this "apex"?

 

Neptunesys.com

Ordered mine this past weekend!

+1 to pink4miss and 2in10

 

Thanks for the link. and btw, I do have an advantage. My girlfriend is an editor and publisher of a local pet magazine. She works from home. so I can always call her for updates, although she isn't experienced, she is a quick learner.

 

Welcome to 3reef.

 

She have a stay at home sister?!...Just kidding

Welcome to 3Reef Friend!

 

Welcome to 3reef!

 

Welcome back to the hobby..

As a side note the 2215 is barely enough for my 46gal FW Bowfronts. On a 90 would definately not be enough let alone the aforementioned canister issues with SW.