Random Noob Darkside Questions

[fins_n_fur]

I've been doing some initial research on s/w and have the following questions. If anyone can answer them or point me to sources, I'll be very appreciative.

I have been re-reading and re-reading Fenner's The Conscientious Marine Aquarist, Paletta's The New Marine Aquarium, and Skomal's Saltwater Aquariums for Dummies (not that great IMO). I'm quite possibly suffering from information overload and am honestly quite some time away (6 months to a year or simply a futile armchair exercise) from going over to the dark side :hmm3grin2orange: .

For the questions, assume that time/money/intelligence/research skills are limitless (not in my case, but I'm looking for rules or thumb or absolute minimums/suggestions).

1. As a beginner reefer, would it be better to start with a small tank (55 gallons), and then work my way up to a larger system, or would it be better to just jump in the deep end and start with 150-200 gallon system?

2. Is there a rule of thumb or ratio to use to determine the size of a refugium/sump? I can't seem to find anything on this or I'm missing a footnote or something. I'm looking for, if it exists, a ratio or percentage like main tank is 100 gallons and sump is 20 gallons or main tank is 100 gallons and sump is 50 gallons, etc.

3. Is there a place to find biotopic stocking suggestions (rea sea, hawaiian, indo-pacific) ? Or is this more fantasy because of skill level, i.e., beginner? I realise, of course, that what my LFS's would have available or could order determines availablity to a degree.

4. Assuming that I understock or don't overstock, are any types of mechanical or chemical filtration needed? I would assume that no overfeeding, a properly established live rock and sand in a cycled tank, and a good/excellent protein skimmer (rated at twice the size of the tank) would be pretty much all that is required for filtration. Or have I missed something here?

Thanks!

[travie]

1. As a beginner reefer, would it be better to start with a small tank (55 gallons), and then work my way up to a larger system, or would it be better to just jump in the deep end and start with 150-200 gallon system?

2. Is there a rule of thumb or ratio to use to determine the size of a refugium/sump? I can't seem to find anything on this or I'm missing a footnote or something. I'm looking for, if it exists, a ratio or percentage like main tank is 100 gallons and sump is 20 gallons or main tank is 100 gallons and sump is 50 gallons, etc.

3. Is there a place to find biotopic stocking suggestions (rea sea, hawaiian, indo-pacific) ? Or is this more fantasy because of skill level, i.e., beginner? I realise, of course, that what my LFS's would have available or could order determines availablity to a degree.

4. Assuming that I understock or don't overstock, are any types of mechanical or chemical filtration needed? I would assume that no overfeeding, a properly established live rock and sand in a cycled tank, and a good/excellent protein skimmer (rated at twice the size of the tank) would be pretty much all that is required for filtration. Or have I missed something here?

Thanks!

1. I think it is possible to start in the deep end with a huge tank being your first tank. Main reason it isn't suggested for beginners is cost. If cost isn't an issue biggest is best.

2. Has big as you can fit into the space you are working with. A small sump and/or refugium is better then nothing at all.

3. Mainly just have to go by where the fish is found. Then stock fish from that certain area. Liveaquaria usually lists where each fish is found in the wild, as I am sure other sites list them as well.

4. Good to have some activated carbon on hand especially if you get coral that release toxins into the water.

I probably missed somethings.

[unleashed]

My answers are in bold

I've been doing some initial research on s/w and have the following questions. If anyone can answer them or point me to sources, I'll be very appreciative.

I have been re-reading and re-reading Fenner's The Conscientious Marine Aquarist, Paletta's The New Marine Aquarium, and Skomal's Saltwater Aquariums for Dummies (not that great IMO). I'm quite possibly suffering from information overload and am honestly quite some time away (6 months to a year or simply a futile armchair exercise) from going over to the dark side :hmm3grin2orange: .

For the questions, assume that time/money/intelligence/research skills are limitless (not in my case, but I'm looking for rules or thumb or absolute minimums/suggestions).

1. As a beginner reefer, would it be better to start with a small tank (55 gallons), and then work my way up to a larger system, or would it be better to just jump in the deep end and start with 150-200 gallon system? 50-55g would be fine to start with. However, if you can afford it, start off big..... 100g-200g are great to start with.

2. Is there a rule of thumb or ratio to use to determine the size of a refugium/sump? I can't seem to find anything on this or I'm missing a footnote or something. I'm looking for, if it exists, a ratio or percentage like main tank is 100 gallons and sump is 20 gallons or main tank is 100 gallons and sump is 50 gallons, etc. Not really. My 110g has a 40g sump. I've similar sized tanks with 20g sumps. It really just depends on the space you have available.

3. Is there a place to find biotopic stocking suggestions (rea sea, hawaiian, indo-pacific) ? Or is this more fantasy because of skill level, i.e., beginner? I realise, of course, that what my LFS's would have available or could order determines availablity to a degree.You should be able to do this regardless of whether or not you are a beginner. However, bear in mind that many fish found in Hawaii, can be found all over the Pacific and Indian oceans. Also, if you were to say do a Hawaiian endemic tank (fish found nowhere else other than Hawaii), you live stock costs would jump straight away. Also, Red Sea shipments are few and far between and the stock is generally fairly expensive...

4. Assuming that I understock or don't overstock, are any types of mechanical or chemical filtration needed? I would assume that no overfeeding, a properly established live rock and sand in a cycled tank, and a good/excellent protein skimmer (rated at twice the size of the tank) would be pretty much all that is required for filtration. Or have I missed something here?No. Live rock and a good protein skimmer will be fine

Thanks!

[Algenco]

I believe I read somewhere sumps should be 1/3 tank size.
Larger tank would be more stable

[AABatteries]

For the sump, with, let's just say a 125g. You'd probably want a 30g or 40g long. Maybe even a 50g long or 55g.

[fins_n_fur]

Thanks very much for the replies! On with the research!