[jporlier]

Hello everyone, I am brand spanking new to the hobby. So new in fact that I haven't purchased anything other than a few books. I have also read Marine Aquariums for "Dummies".

- The New Marine Aquarium : Michael S. Paletta
- The Conscientious Marine Aquarist : Robert M. Fenner

So far, All of these books have provided a font of information and have greatly increased my desire to get into the hobby. So much so that I am going crazy to get started, hence this post.

From everything I have read a Quarantine Tank is as essential to everything else in the hobby. My question is it a foolish decision to set up my quarantine before i get my main tank established? I plan on having a 55gal Fish/Reef tank for my main and have plenty of resources at my disposal, to include a great store around the corner and excellent advice from one of its employees. The only reason i haven't just gone straight to the main tank is the fact that i just moved out to the phoenix area and haven't gotten a job yet, and it wouldn't be prudent to spend my savings/living money on a tank right now.

Anyway thats my dilemma and i will welcome any advice/tips that any of you have to share. Thanks in advance and hope to talk with all of you soon.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

Well Jordan welcome to the bobby.It seems you have done all the right reading.Although I wouldnt admit to owning "aquariums for Dummies"lol.I dont think it makes a bit of difference what order you aquire things for the tank as long as they are all together when the water goes in.You will find us as a group somewhat skeptical of lfs employee's at any level.Always remember they are profit motivated.Thanks for stopping by.

[IceMan]

you are gonna want to go to work first tho. once you buy one piece of the puzzle it's like crack, you gotta have more. you were very wise to start with the books and that shows a concern for your investment and wellbeing of th creatures in your care. as to what part first i agree with native 100% it doesn't matter the order but (after going back to work and getting a fish fund est.) you will be well served to take your time and shop around for your equip. remember the more you save the more you can afford. for example try - Reef Builders Marketplace - Main Index - , craigslist , etc. etc. etc. i have some fav. websites i get stuff from i could reccomend if you like.

[jporlier]

Thanks guys.
Since i haven't yet purchased anything, and the desire to do things right, what would you guys recommend for equipment?

I had planned one a trickle filter and protein skimmer with live rock/sand. I was advised from a different store that all i needed was the 1Lb LR/ 1 Gal of water and a protein skimmer and my tank should function fine. This employee went so far as to say that the trickle filter would create too much Nitrate in my tank and it would be hard to control.

As far as lighting I think 2 power compacts should be fine, just don't know what bulbs i should go with. I plan on keeping some soft and leather corals as well as a clam.

Thanks for the help on my other post

[Jeremy0322]

CRAIGSLIST...save yourself some money and buy used. That is what I did, and got the majority of what i needed for the 55 i bought for 400 dollars, including the lights, skimmer, stand, tank, and 100lbs of live rock. See what people around you are selling, there is always someone close to you that spent alot of money, rushed it, and are now giving up. Tank advantage of that and good luck.

Also, if you want to keep a clam you should give us some more specifics on what lighting you are going to keep. You may want to scratch the PC plan and use a T5, because most clams need to sit in the sand and PCs are not very good at depth penetration.

[IceMan]

ya i have a 46 bow with 4 96w pc's and i've been warned it wasn't enough for most clams...

[Ross87]

I was lucky to find a Crocea Clam Electric at my LFS which I have sitting in the sand. From what I've read, you'll know if your clam isn't getting enough light if it appears to be wide open.

Mine seems to be doing fine with my 10,000k daylight and 36watt actinic

[jporlier]

Thanks for the lighting advice... is T5 the brand of bulb or the whole light set up? I realize that this might be a rookie question, but like it said in my first post. i don't really know much about this stuff. I was warned against Halide bulbs due to the fact that they produce a lot of heat and if i went that route i would be spending alot of money on bulbs as well as finding myself in need of a cooler.

[Ross87]

the florescent bulbs I buy are made by coralife

[IceMan]

Originally Posted by jporlier

Thanks for the lighting advice... is T5 the brand of bulb or the whole light set up? I realize that this might be a rookie question, but like it said in my first post. i don't really know much about this stuff. I was warned against Halide bulbs due to the fact that they produce a lot of heat and if i went that route i would be spending alot of money on bulbs as well as finding myself in need of a cooler.

T is actualy the size rating but the bulbs have diff. output cap. PC or power compact are kinda like a double bulb, T10 or T12 is like the cheap lights that come with say a 55 from petsmart, apx. the diam. of a 50c piece T5 is more like the diam. of a dime and alot higher output. but if you have a deep tank and want clams i'd say go with MH (metal halide) now n save the money of upgrading later. just my opinion, since i'm already thinking of upgrading mine already and my lights aren't even dusty yet lol.

[Jeremy0322]

T5 is a type of bulb, and a good brand for them is TEK lighting systems.

Ross - What size tank are you using, how deep is the tank, and why type of lighting are you using. I am assuming by the conversation and your statements they are PCs, so if that is the case then how many and what Kelvin are the bulbs. I am just curious because I am starting a 55 and have 260 watts, and would like to know what my limitations are. Thanks

[jporlier]

Ok so even though i am gonna be running a 55gal standard, the PC's won't provide adequate lighting? the guy at the LFS said something about setting up a retofit in in my canopy and that the PC's should be enough for the clam. The clam isn't a necessity, but definitely want it in the tank. would like to have a crescent aquascape with a few holes/caves in the taller portion of the back and having a clam in the center area of the open space.

What price range am i looking at spending on aom TEK t5's? i also see things like 10k or 12k lighting and such... what do these mean? are they the light wave lenghts?

[admann]

In my opinion the t5s are the way to go for shallower tank's. here is in my opinion a good choice for a 55 gal
https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/...6daf94e57f7b9b
good luck with this great hobby

[jimw369]

Originally Posted by Ross87

I was lucky to find a Crocea Clam Electric at my LFS which I have sitting in the sand. From what I've read, you'll know if your clam isn't getting enough light if it appears to be wide open.

Mine seems to be doing fine with my 10,000k daylight and 36watt actinic

Good luck with the clam and keep us posted how it does

[Ross87]

My tank is only a 29 gal measuring 16" deep (minus 2-1/2" inches of of sand).
So my clam is sitting about 13-1/2" from the top of the tank.
my lighting is only about 1/2" above the water surface.

here are some specs I could find on my Coralife Compact Fluorescent Lamps:

10,000K (10K) high-intensity, purified super-daylight at 36 watts
50/50 (50% natural Daylight10,000K / 50% Actinic 03 Blue)
Actinic 03 Blue
6,700K at 36 watts.

The clam seems to be doing great, he only opens about about a 1/16"-1/8" and its color is absolutely brilliant.

[bnhaus]

Originally Posted by jporlier

Hello everyone, I am brand spanking new to the hobby. So new in fact that I haven't purchased anything other than a few books. I have also read Marine Aquariums for "Dummies".

- The New Marine Aquarium : Michael S. Paletta
- The Conscientious Marine Aquarist : Robert M. Fenner

Welcome to the Hobby and great start. First off, not many new hobbyist read enough about what they are getting in to. I still read articles, books and forums on a daily basis. There is just so much out there. Second, great start in posting in these forums. There is a wealth of knowledge here.

Best of luck in your new hobby.

[IceMan]

Originally Posted by Ross87

My tank is only a 29 gal measuring 16" deep (minus 2-1/2" inches of of sand).
So my clam is sitting about 13-1/2" from the top of the tank.
my lighting is only about 1/2" above the water surface.

here are some specs I could find on my Coralife Compact Fluorescent Lamps:

10,000K (10K) high-intensity, purified super-daylight at 36 watts
50/50 (50% natural Daylight10,000K / 50% Actinic 03 Blue)
Actinic 03 Blue
6,700K at 36 watts.

The clam seems to be doing great, he only opens about about a 1/16"-1/8" and its color is absolutely brilliant.

got any pictures? what kinda clam is it? i'm asking because i was told it would not make it in my tank. how long you had him?

[Ross87]

He's been in there about a week.

take a look at him! he's a Crocea Clam Electric

[IceMan]

it's gorgeous!!!

[jimw369]

Originally Posted by Ross87

He's been in there about a week.

take a look at him! he's a Crocea Clam Electric

You wouldnt happen to have a top down pic of that "electric Crocea" do you?

Nice looking clam.

[jimw369]

Originally Posted by jimw369

You wouldnt happen to have a top down pic of that "electric Crocea" do you?

Nice looking clam.

I guess I will just say it.

Its a Maxima clam. Not a Crocea.

Nonetheless...good looking clam.

[dinor2]

Just putting my .02 in about the lights; I went from power compacts (130w total) to the nova extreme pro T5 set (36" 6 39w bulbs with individual reflectors) and the difference between those light sets is AMAZING... Go with the t5 set with INDIVIDUAL reflectors, very important! The metal halides are still popular and are great lights but, the t5's put out enough light, with the individual reflectors, for anything you want in your tank, including clams.

Good luck in this awesome hobby and great job doing your research first!

[Ross87]

I beg the differ, I stil believe it is a crocea

[jimw369]

Originally Posted by Ross87

I beg the differ, I stil believe it is a crocea

At least go look at some pictures of clams in the Triacnid family. Believe what you want. What do I know anyway? Your LFS is the expert. Keep listening to them and you will keep buying things for your tank that you are not ready for nor understand their needs.

I have an empty shell sitting on my desk that used to look just like your clam. I too bought a clam before I was ready and killed it. The shell is a constant reminder to me to go slow and have patience. Good luck.

[Ross87]

Thanks, I guess.... and I didn't even buy the clam, my brother picked it up for me. I looked online to figure out what it was. You may very well be right.