[Ansphire]

Hey guys,, I've been keeping African Cichlids for a while.

I wan't to set up a sw tank... Please tell me everything I need.

I know all about cycling the tank and water changes.

I need to know about equipment.

Just add it to my list:

Tank
Heater
Hood
Lights (not for corals yet)
Filter (I heard I only need mechanical filtration if I have live rock?)
Protein Skimmer (what does this do?)
Powerheads for water movement
Aragonite for substrate (or any other buffering agent)

Take it from here guys!!!

[jvharding]

What tank size are you considering?

[ry77]

do you want corals? soft, hard? anemones?

[Ansphire]

Its a 75g... I still don't know what I want... Possibly only fish.

I'm working on a sump system... What would i need to put Inside?.. Heater and skimmer?

[darkwolf29a]

I'm in the design phase of my sump. I'm planning on putting anything in there that I wouldn't want to see, i.e. heater, skimmer, filters, etc. Basically, when I look at the tank...I want to see a couple of powerheads and wildlife...that's all.

[Ansphire]

On the sump.. I need bio-media, correct? Allong with a protein skimmer, or no?...

Where do I start?

[darkwolf29a]

I have read that you should, and I am staying away from the bio media. Instead, I've heard to add Live Rock Rubble in place of the bio media to take care a lot of the fileration.

Yes, you will need a skimmer. I have read enough now that I feel I can say that, with a whole LOT of confidence. LOL Seriously, everything I have read from day one says a skimmer is a necessary thing.

[ry77]

skimmers make a big difference, I encourage using one

[barbra]

As far as filtration goes all the chemical and biological will be handled by your live rock, which you should add to the list. You may find the need for mechanical filtration, many of us do, and that can be easily accomplished with a filter sock that will also remove any potential microbubbles produced by your very necessary skimmer.

You need test kits for all the basics (Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite) plus the extras (Calcium, Alkalinity, pH, Phosphate, magnesium, etc) , a refractometer, and an RO/DI unit unless you plan to buy your water by the bucket.

I would strongly recommend that you look into a sump, it makes life much easier.

Also - are you planning on reusing your Cichlid tank for your reef? If so, and you have EVER put copper in that tank, you will have likely have problems.