I want to start out right.

well, 29 gallon sounds like a great size for a sump for you.

You're not rambling and I think everybody is happy to help you. You do it the right way and most here probably didn't have you patience

 

A suggestion,  Filtration is most important.  The amount of sand and LR is part of that , in addition to the sump and skimmer.  I have a DSB in my sump only as I do not like the look of the DSB in the main tank (an option)

If you are going to buy another tank for either quarantine or sump, go ahead and get the largest tank you can fit under your stand for a sump.  You can put a refugium in there as well.  Look under the
DIY section, several of us have done that.

Get a GOOD skimmer.

The lights can wait a bit if you are on a budget.  Go ahead and get the base rock first, let it cure...this will take several weeks, and you can be saving money for your lights during this time.  You can also start with some 'dead' rock...like here   www.hirocks.com

Bladerunner here just ordered some so you could PM him and ask how he liked it.


If you add fresh LR with lots of life on it (eg. some hitchhiker corals, etc) then you will need the better lighting.  Lighting, IMO is nearly as important as water quality.  90 tank, how deep is it and perhaps some recommendations could be made as to what types of lighting.  If you want SPS, you will definitely need MH, but how many....we need the dimensions of the tank please ;D

(now who is longwinded!! LOL)

 

Gonna run out and get the measurements to my tank and stand so I can let yall know.

A quick stop at the reef shop up the road and I'll be back.

I am excited about getting started on this after all this time, this has been a dream of mine since starting fw tanks years ago.

Now I will just have to get another job to pay for all I want. ;D

Slow and steady wins the race. So I will do it one piece at a time and enjoy it.

 

My tank is 36" wide x 24" deep x 24" high.

My stand has 31" wide x 22" deep x 29" high inside measurements, so I should have enough room for some equipment (sump/refugium & skimmer) in there.

I think I like the idea of some dead rock from www.hirocks.com in addition to the live rock in the beginning. I think I heard about 1 lb/gal for the rock so could I use 60lb dead and 60 lb live? If I add live sand in the beginning will that serve the same function?

I am going to ponder more about my system now, I don't have a computer at home yet, this one is at work so I appreciate any responses in advance and will check back later tonight or fist thing in the morning.

 

Duh, I see you posted the dimensions earlier...sorry!

Mine is 36 X 18 X 24. I am getting away with 1 175W MH with 2 36" VHO actinics. I don't plan on keeping any SPS's tho.

You could go with 2 @ 200 W MH or 1 400W? I do get darker areas to the sides...if I were to do over...I would get 2 lamps ;D

Rock...yes about 1 to 2 lbs per gallon. I have about 1.5.

As far as the sand can you grab a handful from a friend with an established tank? If not, perhaps you could order a little bit of the Garf Grunge (www.garf.org) or a Portion O Pods from Florida Pets.com (listed under shrimp) and toss that in. For starters!

 

We go out to the gulf all the time. Could I grab some of the sand out there while I'm snorkeling?

TIA will write more tommorrow after I think up more questions... ;D ;D

 

Would that work? Probably...

Is that legal? Probably not....I don't think you are allowed to bring anything out of FL waters....I am not 100% sure tho. :-X

 

Well that's what I was thinking. I know you can't take rock or coral without a permit. That's ok I have a couple of sources close by so I should be alright.

 

http://myfwc.com/marine/recreational/recharvestmls.htm

This is the Official Link from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. There are many things you can collect IF that is what you wish to do. Don't be like my wife and get something first then try to figure out if it can be kept safely in a reef aquarium later. :
Thank god I have more than one tank.
jim

 

Jim,

thanks for the link...i'll have to print it and laminate it to keep it on the boat. I'll to try to follow Matt's low impact hopes as well I don't want to ruin a good spot by robbing nature.