Okay, first I would get a good book on saltwater aquariums... DO A LOT OF RESEARCH!
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Befor I start adding expensive fish I wanted to get some live rock and maybe 1 or two damsels to start off the echo system i'm creating in my bedroom. My first question is how much live rock should i get (considering it's a small tank) and how much do you think it would cost me?
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Please do not use fish to cycle your tank, use a cocktail shrimp from the store, this will make sure that all your fish will survive! *if you don't know what cycling is look up "the Nitrogen Cycle" *
In order for your ecosystem to be healthy, you need a good protien skimmer to keep Nitrates low, also your pH should be around 8.5, also get a test kit for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, and calcium if you are planning on doing corals (there aren't many "live plants" that live in the ocean, but there are some.) Live rock costs about $4 per pound... I would get 20 pounds of base rock and seed it with 10 pounds of live rock. 20 pounds of base rock would run you 25-30 dollars.
Damsels are also a poor choice for fish in your tank, they get aggressive, and territorial, and will harrass new fish. Look at Percula Clowns, Gobies (not dragonetts), Dottybacks, Dwarf Angels, blennies, and cardinalfish. note: you shouldn't add fish until your nitrogen cycle is completed ~ 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, nitrates around 10.
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My next question is - My tank was a "starter kit" by 'aqua culture' which came with an aqua tech 20-40g power filter a 100w heater, and a deluxe fluorescent full light hood w/ lamp; do you think the inclued filter, heater, and lighting is good enough? or should i look into somthing better?
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Yes ditch the filter... use a protien skimmer, heater is good though.
Crushed coral is alright to use for substraight, but I prefer sand, it isn't a nitrate trap and I don't have to dig in it to clean it!
The compact florecent should be alright to keep some corals.