[Reefneck]

Originally Posted by ckeene9

Tank: 55g. FOWLR I like a 75G as a "first" tank better.....It's just "roomier" but a 55G is fine!
Lights: http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...t~CU01606.html These should do just fine at keeping your Live Rock alive! With a Retro, You have to have a Canopy to build the lights into so I assume you do.
Skimmer: http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/11302/product.web Not a bad skimmer, Not the best but will work fine for your needs as HOB then as in sump later. Consider an ASM in Sump later on.
Heater:http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113767
(2) 100watt or (1) 200watt, Which one? Great heaters! Always go with 2 smaller ones to serve as a safety
Powerheads: have (2) 295GPH on the way, Gives me 10.72 per hour turnover rate http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113040
Along with these: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...id=11363&rel=1 No, No! 2 X SEIO m820s will be MUCH better! Those Hydor Flos work fine and provide some good random flow but they reduce the GPH by as much as 50%. Use http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113040
Salt: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113009 I Prefer this Pro Reef salt but your choice is not a bad one. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113009
Live Rock: floridaliverock.com 30# Need at minimum 55LBS, Best with 75LBS
Live Sand: floridaliverock.com 30# Get Aragonite Sand and save some $. You live Rock will make the Aragonite Sand "Live" very quickly.
Test Kit: ??? Sakifert Kits, All the way!
Hydrometer: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113761 Ah HAH! Caught one thing you failed to read enough on..... http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...pc=1&N=0&Nty=1

Need some type of base rock and was thinking some agronite sand to go with Live sand. You CAN actually do 50/50 on Live/Base Rock. It will take longer to fully cycle this way but works fine and can save you a BUNDLE!
Live Stock: Not exactly sure of what but here are my options:

Blue/Green Chromis Ok
Ocellaris Clownfish Ok
Flame Hawkfish Use Caution around Shrimp
6 line Wrasse Ok
Yellow Watchman Goby Ok (Great with a Pistol Shrimp)
Bicolor Pseudochromis Can get Mean
Racoon or Auriga Butterflyfish Can get Large, Not "Reef Safe"
Lawnmower Blenny Ok
Turbo Snails Lots
Blue/Green Ricordea Mushroom Ummm, Coral.....In a Fish Only Tank?? Suddenly it becomes a Reef tank! Ricordia are more light demanding than normal Mushroom corals but can do fine up high with PC lights.
Banded Coral Shrimp I'm Not a fan. Aggressive toward other inverts.
Dwarf Blue Leg Hermit Crab Only Hermit found in ANY of my tanks are Scarlet Legs! Not Reds! Only the Scarlets do not kill your snails. They are a bit costly though.

Also should I use this or get rid of it? It comes with the set-up I'm buying.
http://www.aquariumguys.com/eheimecco1.html eBay is your friend.

Also this tank I'm looking at getting is currently a freshwater. How do I go about resealing it so the meds do affect my reef? Scrape a layer of silicone off then put a new one on? EEK, Soak the devil out of it with 50/50 vinegar & Water. No NOT unseal a tank ever! If you think it is too badly soaked with copper to use safely then buy another tank. Resealing is too risky.

Also can I put live sand dollars into my aquarium that I collect while snorkeling? Another "EEK" moment! Never, Ever, EVER put anything from the wild into your tank! Water, Sand, Rock all have pollution up to 20 miles offs h o r e and can destroy your tank! Further out livestock would be "better" but still can introduce bacteria into your tank that can wipe it out. Not worth the risk and not to even mention the legal ramifications if you take anything from the oceans. (Even Rocks)


Thanks

Christopher

P.S notice I didn't say a tang like many other newbs have in the past

Whew, Now that was alot of fun answering.