help! I am new to reefkeeping.

[glinton]

I am new to the hobby and I am wanting to start up a 29 or 20 gallon tank. Exactly what type of lighting should I use? Also, is a combination skimmer/filter good to use?
I could use any advice. Thanks!

 

[danmhippo]

Since this is an expensive hobby, Let's start by asking how much you have budgeted for this tank in the first 6 months?

(the reason for this is that 30G is a bit small and leaves little margin for errors for a new setup)

 

[dpetruescu]

Will this be a fish only tank, corals or comobo? If you plan on keeping corals what kind?

I think the people on this board will chime in with recomandations once they know what your bio load will be.

 

[glinton]

I guess I could clarify!
I am hoping to have Fiji live rock with hermit crabs, snails (for algae), cleaner shrimp and about 2-3 small fish. Of course, all this would be done in stages. I am planning on going with a fore-reef habitat that does not require that much light.
I really don't have a budget yet, I am just finding out what it would cost, which will determine whether or not I can do it. I will say this, I am on a tight budget, so that is why I will not go for the really expensive tank & equipment.

 

[glinton]

I guess I could clarify!
I am hoping to have Fiji live rock with hermit crabs, snails (for algae), cleaner shrimp and about 2-3 small fish. Of course, all this would be done in stages. I am planning on going with a fore-reef habitat that does not require that much light.
I really don't have a budget yet, I am just finding out what it would cost, which will determine whether or not I can do it. I will say this, I am on a tight budget, so that is why I will not go for the really expensive tank & equipment.

 

[danmhippo]

30G with a AquaC remora skimmer (Hang on the back). 20lbs of fine sand and 25# of Live rock. Establish a 20G sump if you can for a refugium with 3-4" of sand and macro algae. the refugium will help your main display by 1. added water volume (thus, more stable water chemistry) and 2. Help nutrient export into the macro algae.

 

[glinton]

Thanks!
What about lighting?
Can I get by with a Skimmer/Filter (Skilter) instead of a sump and a skimmer?
Where can I get good deals on this stuff?

 

[danmhippo]

Eventhough it's better to no skimmer at all, the Skilter is quite inefficient in what it is supposed to do. Lighting I would go with a VHO DIY retrofit. I don't know what wattage to use as I do not know the size of a typical 30G tank. That you will have to find out yourself.

Quite a few vendors advertise on this board as well as a few other board, you can browse them and compare the prices. These are mostly well reputated MO an can be trusted. There is only a handful of other stores that does not regularly advertise on these BB such as www.petwarehouse.com (they changed their name to Dr. Foster and somebody.....).

 

[Anonymous]

I suggest you check out the FAQs at the top of the board here.
There's a thread in there where a bunch of us chimed in with advice for newbies. Many good points in there.