HELP!!! NEWBIE ALERT!!!

[Duffer2]

Welcome to Canreef.

2 90's, that should be a good volume to work with. This is a great place for tips and advice.

The best advice that I didn't follow and should have when I got into this hobby is try to be really patient. For instance, I wouldn't even really think about corals for a few months at the earliest. As for fish, add them slowly, and ask lots of questions.

What type of equipement are you running (lights, skimmer, power heads)?

[DOMINATOR]

I need to purchase a skimmer, i have a big sump and a pump...as for lights, i need advice

[Twinn]

The biggest piece of advise I can give you is to plan ahead. What do you want for coral SPS, LPS, Softies and mixed reef. Do you want lots of fish or just a few. This will help you to decide lighting, skimmer ect.

[es355lucille]

+1 on this advice. Take your time to read some of the documents by a few around here. Let your system take hold once you get your live rock placed in the tank. Depending which way you are going: Reef (takes longer) Fish Only (not as long).......but be careful and read about everything you add to your tank. Fish are something to research...once you get a couple...then you need to ensure you are adding compatable for your community. Have fun and look at the live rock closely when you start. Get a flashlight and watch the natural things found in live rock grow......you are at a very exciting time....don't let that hurry things too much. This is how people get into trouble. Ask any of us....PM if you like. This can help you very much. If you have any questions give someone on here a shout. Brad

Originally Posted by Twinn

The biggest piece of advise I can give you is to plan ahead. What do you want for coral SPS, LPS, Softies and mixed reef. Do you want lots of fish or just a few. This will help you to decide lighting, skimmer ect.

[DOMINATOR]

for my 2 90 gallons, what start off lighting do you recommend? Tanks are 48 long...dont really want to upgrade often neither

[bauder1986]

Originally Posted by DOMINATOR

for my 2 90 gallons, what start off lighting do you recommend? Tanks are 48 long...dont really want to upgrade often neither

Well, I would look into a 48" T5HO fixture, 6 bulb or 8 bulb or if you have around $3500 get a 48" LED fixture.

Now most new guys start with softies and LPS and zoos just because if you crash your tank most softies and LPS and zoos can survive through a crash if you are quick enough to stabalize your tank.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by DOMINATOR

for my 2 90 gallons, what start off lighting do you recommend? Tanks are 48 long...dont really want to upgrade often neither

This all depends on what you're going to have in the tank. That is absolutely the first thing you need to decide.

[chopperman]

I am also a newbie to salt and one thing that I have read is that it is good to follow the 12 month rule. You shouldnt add corals until the tank has been running for at least 12 months. Is this a general rule of thumb?

[abcha0s]

You don't need a dionizer. You might need a dehumidifier?

I am also a newbie to salt and one thing that I have read is that it is good to follow the 12 month rule. You shouldnt add corals until the tank has been running for at least 12 months. Is this a general rule of thumb?

It isn't really a rule, but it does take a year for a tank to really mature. You can add corals on week two if you like, but as someone else suggested, if your tank crashes you could lose everything - and quickly. More important is the experience that comes with running the tank for a while. You would be surprised at how much there is to learn.

Some advice...

• Don't buy a chiller - use a fan for evaporative cooling
• Don't worry about Ozone or UV
• Consider biopellets or Zeovit, but not right away. Wait at least six months and read what the skeptics say before investing.
• Don't try to stock pile hardware - get the tank up and running and buy what you need.
• Don't under estimate the flow requirements
• Don't rely on your return pump for flow.
• Plan to experiment with a refegium, but not right away - it can wait.
• Buy what you really want now - don't plan to upgrade right away or you are just wasting your money on the first purchase.
• Big ticket items are the skimmer, lighting, live rock, live stock. This is where you will regret cutting corners.
• Be realistic about your budget.
• Google is your friend.

The best advice I can give is take it slow and buy everything used if possible. It can be an overwhelming if you try to buy everything new. Also dont put fish in your tank that aren't in the long term plans. I had three four bar Damsels in my tank for cycling and when I wanted to catch them I had to remove every last peice of rock to catch them. over 250lbs (that was a fun day).

What do you have for equipment? you would be amazed at the equipment people have on this site collecting dust.