First Mini Reef Tank

i have an AquaFX which was $150! Sounds like alot but when you add up costs of buying and pain in the ass of going to get it, it makes sense! Spectrapure has a deal on some refurbs!

 

I just ordered this one.http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=110691608751&index=3&nav=SEARCH&nid=28044386639

 

Nice, I have the same sized tank. Does yours happen to be a bow front?

For tanks our sized, you can go with a 25 GPD unit which will run you around $135 ish depending on where get it from. Bulkreefsupply, ebay, amazon, marine depot...shop around.

And for stocking, I would stick to fish that reach a maximum size of 3 inches.

 

I'll provide some more detailed information now that I've assembled a list:

• Tank: Fluval 26 Bow
• Lights: Marineland Reef Capable LED 18”-24” w/timer
• Filter: Fluval 205 External Canister Filter
• Heater: Fluval M150 Watt Submersible
• Skimmer: Aquatic Life Mini 115
• Powerhead: 2 x Koralia Nano 240

Here's what I have in mind for stock (tentatively):
• Sessile Inverts
o Euphyllia glabrescens (Torch Coral)
o Sarcophyton Sp. (Leather Coral)
o Star Polyp
o Acropora
o Mushroom Anemone
o Zoanthus
o Tridacna Crocea (Clam)
• Mobile Inverts
o 2 x Lysmata Ambioinensis (Cleaner Shirmp)
o 2 x Lysmata wurdemanni (Peppermint Shrimp)
o 1 x Mithrax Sculptus (Emerals Crab)
o 5 x Hermit Crabs (Blue-legged, Scarlet, Blue-Knuckle, Blue-eyed, Orange-Striped)
o 10 x Astraea and/or Lithopoma Snails
o 1 x Ophiolepis/Ophioderma (Brittle/Serpent Star)
• Fish
o 2 x Amphiprion ocellaris (Common Clown) juvenile pair
o Want 2 more to be decided

 

I think your going to have a heck of a hard time keeping a clam alive with marineland leds.. I havent heard of anyone keeping anything but low light corals with them, like leathers, mushrooms, and Zoanthids. Also Personally (IMO) I would stay away from the star fish, and the Emerald crab, starfish are hard to call reef safe, but some arent too bad, where as in my experience, Emerald crabs are a pain in the A$$ and once they eat all the algae they can develop a taste for more meaty items like corals, shrimp, or even fish if they can get a hold of them