New Tank

congrats on the start of your reef build!

for what it's worth heres my advice based on recently doing my first build as well.

substrate - I got the MarcoRocks aragonite and think it looks really nice. 40 lbs at $30 would be enough.

test kits - I started with the API master kit for the cycle (ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, ph) and it was like $25 I think. Once you're ready for corals you'll want to get tests for calcium, mag, alk, and phosphate. I've got Red Sea, API, and Salifert, and my 2 cents is Salifert is the easiest and more accurate than API, while not breaking the bank.

Some other stuff to think about is an RO/DI, and a sump? Sump will raise the cost b/c of an over flow and return pump, but I think you'll wish you had one in a few months if you go without.

 

lmr20 RODI unit good call! oops! DEF A MUST

 

I am confused as to why I would need to up the powerheads? Between the 2 and the filters I am rated at roughly 1400gph which is about a 35x turnover for the tank, everything I read said aim for 10-20X. I was thinking about purchasing a third larger powerhead though to add to the 2 nanos. I thought only more difficult corals would need real high flow rates. Same with the heater it is rated for 65 gallons for I figured one would be enough.

What is a tDS meter?

As for salt Im thinking corallife saltm I read an article on advancedaquarist and it seems the coralife salt tested really well and it pretty affordable.

I do not plan on keeping SPS corals just softies, lps, leathers, zoas, etc. I was thinking I still need to get a reef test kit though.

Thanks for the idea of a powerhead and heater for WC almsot forgot about that!

Stocking list, not real sure yet what I can put in a 46gallon I now my wife wants a pair of clowns and a dwarf angel or two. I like the gobies and jawfish still need to research compatibilies! Im thinking a list of 2 clowns, a coral beauty angel, a potters angel, some sort of wrasse I love the leapord wrasse but understand they are difficult to keep, same with the mandarin, some sort of sandshifter.

 

lol you remembered the TDS meter just not the Ro/DI

good calls on the extra pump and heater for water changes. And on the BRS group buys, I'm always getting stuff from them.

Another website that everyone loves is ReefCleaners.org for your clean up crew and what not!

 

my advice 1 angel in that tank, 2 may bicker, and a mandarin needs a really mature tank with a lot of pods or you need to buy an ORA mandarin and watch it eat before buying!

good luck!

 

I finally set up the tank to start the cycle! I took many pictures along the way which I will be posting shortly