Going to the dark side

[hursab]

So I am starting my research project to get a new SW tank.

I would like to start the purchasing and set up phase in about two months.

Of course eventually I would like to have coral in it.
So my biggest concern in lighting, what exactly is it purpose?
I would assume to help the rock grow.
What does the life forms need for them light?

I would like to be in the range of 75-125 gallon.

I want to figure it all out so I know what stocking is permitted before I even start looking.

I need to learn everything!
I all I know is you need salt in the water!

[MonkeyPox]

So I am starting my research project to get a new SW tank.

I would like to start the purchasing and set up phase in about two months.

Of course eventually I would like to have coral in it.
So my biggest concern in lighting, what exactly is it purpose?
I would assume to help the rock grow.
What does the life forms need for them light?

I would like to be in the range of 75-125 gallon.

I want to figure it all out so I know what stocking is permitted before I even start looking.

I need to learn everything!
I all I know is you need salt in the water!

Welcome to sw tanks! You've chosen a nice size.

If you are only doing fish- no inverts or corals, then lights only serve an aesthetic purpose.

Also, don't be confused by the term "live rock". Rock itself isn't alive, it is simply a location for the appropriate bacteria and other organisms that live in the ocean.

At a minimum, I would recommend the following products:
Live rock
Protein skimmer
Powerheads
Some form of basic lighting if you don't want the aforementioned inverts (like anemone) or corals.
A hydrometer
Test kit

[hursab]

At a minimum, I would recommend the following products:
Live rock
Protein skimmer
Powerheads
Some form of basic lighting if you don't want the aforementioned inverts (like anemone) or corals.
A hydrometer
Test kit

I would like to eventually have corals so I would like to have the proper lighting.

skimmer what does it do? are there different sizes?

powerheads just pump water for a flow

hydrometer is for testing salt
and the test kit, I assume is different for my FW kit

Thanks for the clarification on live rock.

[bluebluecow]

Hi and welcome to the darkside, my tank arrival day gets nearer and nearer, so I am learning, although done lots of reading on here and also a few books.

I recomened you find some journals on here of tanks about your size and read them as they really help and let you know what you are doing

Liz

[MCHRKiller]

I would like to eventually have corals so I would like to have the proper lighting.

skimmer what does it do? are there different sizes?

powerheads just pump water for a flow

hydrometer is for testing salt
and the test kit, I assume is different for my FW kit

Thanks for the clarification on live rock.

First you must realize how expensive this hobby is and figure out for sure what tank size that you want before people can make specific suggestions on pieces of equipment.

Protein skimmers are available in a huge array of sizes and types, some hang on the back of the tank and others go inside your sump tank. Skimmers quite simply remove dissolved organics from the water column before they can affect water quality. They are especially useful in reef systems where water quality must be as pristine as humanly possible.

Powerheads circulate water througout your live rock which is the core to your tanks biological filtration, it also keeps the water well oxygenated and provides current and water flow for corals which will deliver foods sources and nutrients to them.

Yes the hydrometer tests the salinity of your water.

The test kits are different for marine tanks unless the specify that they will read both marine and freshwater. Salifert makes some of the best test kits out there for the hobbyist level marine keeper. You should be testing Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, pH, Salinity, Alkalinity, Phosphate, and Calcium in a reef setup at minimum.

[kaybee]

...eventually I would like to have coral in it.
So my biggest concern in lighting, what exactly is it purpose?
I would assume to help the rock grow.
What does the life forms need for them light?

Most (but not all) types of coral contain a symbiotic form of algae within them known as zooxanthellae.

This algae is single-celled and it gains beneficial protection by being able to live inside coral tissue.

In return, the zooxanthellae provides the coral nourishment as a by-product of the photosynthesis process (various forms of carbon, amino acids, lipids, etc) that the corals are dependent on.

Non-photosynthetic corals (i.e., corals lacking zooxanthellae) gain their nourishment exclusively via prey capture. These corals do not require lighting but, in lieu, must be fed on a near-daily basis.

[hursab]

Hi and welcome to the darkside, my tank arrival day gets nearer and nearer, so I am learning, although done lots of reading on here and also a few books.

I recomened you find some journals on here of tanks about your size and read them as they really help and let you know what you are doing

Liz

Thanks, do you have any suggestions?
Any that have helped you?

[hursab]

I know 90% of the fun is setting up all you own stuff, its more personal.

But what about this?
http://prescott.craigslist.org/for/1477816398.html

[labnjab]

Their asking way too much for it. I bought a 29 complete with rock, equipment and a 250 HQI for $200

[lobsternoob]

whoa! "a 35gallon bucket for water changes and carrying the water" who is this guy, the incredible hulk?

Sorry, I know thats not a very helpful post but that just caught my eye.