My first SW Tank

I currently have a FW community planted tank. I will be starting my first 29G SW (or if Craigslist comes through a 55G). I'm on a bit of a budget, so I'm trying to figure out what I need to get in order to start, and then what can wait so I can get it later on. I was planning on doing a reef tank eventually. At the moment I was planning on just getting live rock started. So I was thinking, sand and live rock only for now. Assuming I am starting with just the tank, (I may or may not have a filter depending on the CL situation) what do I need to get my sand and live rock started? Is it alright to slowly introduce increasing amounts of live rock? Can I keep just live rock in the aquarium for a while, or do I need to get a "cleaning crew" to help maintain it in the beginning?

I know I'll be needing a heater, but not too sure beyond that. I've been trying to read up, and talking with friends and LFS personal to try and get a solid handle on what I need, but I'd love another opinion.

At the moment I'm considering getting a RO/IO system,(Aquarium Water Quality: Pure-Flo II RO Units ) and thinking the 4-stage 50 gpd unit, but I do have access to water from my LFS for about .50 per gallon as well. I was wondering though, is there a difference between the coralife systems and those I can get at the Home Depot or Lowes?

What else do I need? is a protein skimmer necessary right away? Does just having a HOB filter work? The other way around?

Do I need powerheads right away?
I plan on upgrading my lighting later on, when I move onto adding fish/corals.


Also any suggestions for good sources of live rock. I've only got one local source, not too expensive at 4.89, but it's a very limited selection. I was hoping to mix a few different strains, but I'm not sure where online I can find a good price, and is reliable.

 

welcome! youve come to a great site plenty of helpful info and people

 

i can only help so good so here i go

dont get live rock, get base, ill have some links when im done of places to go to help you

not sure on the RO system, sorry

some people do not use a hob filter at all, i use it as a refugium (refugium= place for macro algae and rubble rock)

you dont need a protein skimmer right away but i would get all your equipment before you get any fish. its just easier that way.

power heads, no you dont need them right away but you will need them before you get too many fish or any at all.

here is a place for base rock at 2.50 a lbs
ReefCleaners.org | Clean Up Crews and Macro Algae - Home

base rock will turn live after a while, its just much cheaper for you to get base and let it turn into live later. any more questions?