My first SW tank?

[domjd05]

Lately I've been really bored with the mbuna I've been keeping in my 55... I just don't view them as interesting anymore...

SO, I was either going to get some tanganyikan cichlids or I was TOYING with the thought of turning it into a SW.

I realize I need live rock and should use live sand, and I intend to do all this, but I am confused on if I NEED to have corals and invertabrates in the tank...

I don't have a really good light for this tank yet (just 2 30w single strips)... I know this isn't adequate lighting for the corals.. but can I keep my live rock and fish healthy with this amount of light?

[Fishguy2727]

Without corals that is fine. You definitely don't need corals, but most people end up going in that direction, so plan on it. Don't buy things that are not reef safe and not relatively easy to remove if you do decide to go reef. Many people find corals easier, I definitely do. I am much more comfortable buying more expensive corals than fish. There are only a couple upgrades needed to go from fish only with live rock to a full reef. One is your lighting, the other is the skimmer.

Definitely start with a lot of research, good books.

[Miltonic]

all I can say would be is to do as much research as you can before setting a tank up especially sw because that's just asking for trouble if you don't. I would say that the light is enough for FOWLR.

@Fishguy - that is so true, I feel way more comfortable buying corals than fish.

[domjd05]

I've been doing research, I would get a skimmer, and RO unit before I set the tank up, as well as cured live sand/live rock, but I just can't seem to get myself to dish out hundreds of bucks for a light.. haha, I'm sure someday I will, but I'm more interested in keeping the fish...

I was just unsure if the fish required high levels of light like the corals do

I think I'm going to put this all on hold for now as I have too many projects already, Thanks for the advice!