[Gamboge]

Maybe, because my mother can change her mind at the drop of a hat.
After FINALLY talking my mother into a marine aquarium, I added a few items to my shopping cart:

Aquarium: 29 gallon (30"x12"x18"

Heater: Top Light 100 watt

Filter: Whisper 150 GPH. (The aquarium's water would be completely filtered about 124 times daily)

Hydrometer: Red Sea, with liquid crystal thermometer.

Salt Mix: Reef Crystals, 50 gallon mix.

Substrate: Live sand, 40 lbs.

Canopy: Perfecto glass canopy, 30".

Lighting: 30" fluorescent lighting

Stock: One Halichoeres chrysus, other fishes may be added. No inverts.

Foods: Brine Shrimp Plus flakes, Prime Reef flakes, other foods may be added to comply with other fishes' diet needs.

Background: None

Test Kits: pH test, NH3 test.

Maintenance: One magnetic algae scraper, one titanium grounder.

*live rock to be determined*

*corals to be determined*

Don't forget, it has not yet been set up, so I can't give you photos. Any extra advice on other things that I should buy to the fish's (or fishes') benefit would be appreciated. And yes, I have done my homework on the Halichoeres chrysus.

Sincerely,
-Gamboge

[e_baer]

Sounds like you are off to a good start, but I would change a few things on your list.

I would scrap the whisper filter idea and just get a protein skimmer instead. They are much much much much better.

secondly, I would definately get LR. 30-40lbs would be sufficient, plus it adds lots of natural filtration.

As far as inverts, you will need a clean up crew, whether it be snails, crabs, starfish or sea cucumbers.

i would get more than just those 2 test kits. I would not only get the ones you mentioned, BUT ALSO PH and NH3, NH2, CA, dkh and ammonia.



instead of only 40lbs of LR, try to get a sand bed of at least 4". This will allow a DSB and provide anerobic conditions that will aid in natural filtration.

Deep Sand Beds

Deep Sand Beds

DeepSandBeds

DSB article - CALFO

How Sandbeds REALLY Work by Ronald L. Shimek, Ph.D. - Reefkeeping.com

The Natural Mud-Filter Method

[Gamboge]

Originally Posted by e_baer

Sounds like you are off to a good start, but I would change a few things on your list.

I would scrap the whisper filter idea and just get a protein skimmer instead. They are much much much much better.

secondly, I would definately get LR. 30-40lbs would be sufficient, plus it adds lots of natural filtration.

As far as inverts, you will need a clean up crew, whether it be snails, crabs, starfish or sea cucumbers.

i would get more than just those 2 test kits. I would not only get the ones you mentioned, BUT ALSO PH and NH3, NH2, CA, dkh and ammonia.



instead of only 40lbs of LR, try to get a sand bed of at least 4". This will allow a DSB and provide anerobic conditions that will aid in natural filtration.

Deep Sand Beds

Deep Sand Beds

DeepSandBeds

DSB article - CALFO

How Sandbeds REALLY Work by Ronald L. Shimek, Ph.D. - Reefkeeping.com

The Natural Mud-Filter Method

Eh... This would be much easier if I didn't have a budget of $300. I'm not quite old enough to legally have a job...
I'll probably only be able to get the live rock and sand, and have to wait until October for the rest. But, it's for the greater good of the fish, so...

[Uvajed]

I would research, then research more, start here, read all you can, then research more, then start something. It took me four years to start a tank, then I went hole hog and got a 75 gallon tank. Yeah, I'm a newbie, and I'm green, but, it will be so fun making a go of it. I'm in it for the long haul, so, good luck to you!!

[Uvajed]

Originally Posted by Gamboge

Eh... This would be much easier if I didn't have a budget of $300. I'm not quite old enough to legally have a job...
I'll probably only be able to get the live rock and sand, and have to wait until October for the rest. But, it's for the greater good of the fish, so...

$300, think long term, you can do it if you research. Add pieces that will add to the tank, not instant gratification.

[palmbeach2210]

This is what I would do with my $300:

JBJ 24gal Nano Deluxe $179.95
15lbs Live Rock @3.99/lb $59.85
Red Sea Success Reef Base Substrate 11lbs $24.99
Seachem Reef Salt - 50 gallon mix Bag $19.99

Cleanup Crew after cycling: $35/$40?
5 x Mexican Turbo Snails
10 x Blue Leg Hermit Crab
10 x Mexican Red Leg Hermits
1 x Cleaner Shrimp

After this wait till your Mums gives you some extra cash in October and buy some fish and coral!

By October you will be all studied up on marine tanks and your tank will be all setup, cycled, and ready for a nice reef!

I would recommend buying this stuff locally to avoid shipping fees since your on a budget. But you get the idea, $300 can be done very easily if you know what to buy and what will get you to your goal in the long run. I can't tell you how much money I spent (WASTED!) on junk equipment and freshwater tech in the beginning because I just didn't investigate enough and had no clue I was buying the wrong thing.

I wish you the best!

[palmbeach2210]

Sorry, just realized you are going for a FOWLER with that Golden Coris Wrasse. So scratch the inverts. Although, most FOWLERS end up as reefs anyway (gets boring). BTW, I did a FOWLER too in the beginning. :P Loved my triggers, just got tired of watching them swim back and forth. lol

[dinor2]

I got my live rock on ebay from Walt Smith, $2/lb!

I think Palmbeach is onto something!... Great idea!

[dhboyd1]

If you can find a good local club to join, there might be a lot of help there also. If you were closer to me there is tons of stuff I would be more than happy to give you for FREE. Many in this hobby are happy to give newbies stuff just to help them get started. You are the future of our hobby.

[Uvajed]

This is important, there's a lot of local groups, just google them, and hook up. You'll be able to get a lot of stuff for free. But, remember your long term goal.