First tank questions

[Anselth]

OK, I'm setting up my first tank and I am trying to plan it out completely before I screw myself up. First off, here's what I am planning on:

45-50 gallon reef - It'll likely be more of a FOWLR system at first, but I want to be able to start adding corals once I get comfortable with a minimum of fuss.

I plan to go fish light, a damsel, royal gramma, clown, and possibly a blenny for sand turnover and a pygmy angel, although I have gotten conflicting information as to whether they are reef safe. Is this too much bioload? Also, when figuring the bioload for a tank, do I include motile invertebrates?

3" argonite/live sand bed, 50# or so of live rock

I just purchased an AquaC Remora with MaxJet 1200 skimmer. With the live sand and rock, will I need additional filtration? My LFS suggested an Emporer 400 biowheel. Is this necessary for a healthy reef system?

I figure to go with a combination daylight/arcturic light system, but is this something that can be put off until I start adding corals to the system?

Any suggestions are appreciated!

[gimpy]

Anselth, a quick question, why the damsel? They are a real pain to remove once established especially with live rock. With live rock (if you put it in first) you won't need the damsel to cycle. But maybe you want one permanently in the tank? (remember, they do have bad raps as being very aggressive).

I, personally like pygmy angels, especially for a FOWLR tank. I've had both coral beauty's and lemon peel angels. Both make nice additions in my estimation (but only one in a tank at a time). I've never had anything other than mushrooms/polyps really, and they didn't bother them as I recall. Probably a hit or miss type of thing.

You can use a biowheel filter, but with your live sand/rock and skimmer, don't really need it (I've done it both ways). Currently, I do not use a power filter.

Bright lights are not really necessary for fish only tanks, so if you have no corals, you should be able to get by with lesser lights.

For denitrification purposes, most people, I think, will say that 3 inches of sand is, maybe just a little light. I've always heard 4 inches minimum. I have 5-6 inches in my tank.

I currently have a royal gramma and percula clown in my tank. The R.G., I've had about 3-4 years and the clown 6 or 7. They get along fine. I've no experience with a blenny.

Remember to go slow and take it easy. Don't get in too much of a hurry to add lots of fish.

hth, Frank

[Dragon Wrasse]

Welcome to RS!!...I'm with gimpy, maybe another inch or two of live sand, the bio wheel is not really needed....I use a canister filter for more flow and to polish the water, but its not necessary....make sure your rock is cured and tank is cycled before adding live stock. If you are going to have corals make sure you have good water turn over and flow, I use power heads and a wavemaker....oh, ya....have fun!

[Anselth]

Thanks for the advice. To clarify, the Damsel is not to cycle the tank, I'm with just about everyone else in thinking it's cruel.

I think I'll set it up without a filter, if I need one for polishing I'll look into a canister.

[Witfull]

is the skimmer the only souce of water movement? you will need more current/flow in the tank.

[Anselth]

No, I'll install two or three powerheads to mix up the current. I haven't decided on which ones yet.

[Witfull]

if i may suggest....maxi-jets. i feel they are the best on the market, especially if you are going to uses a wavemaker,,,aka alternate flow device.

[Anselth]

I found these for sale on E-bay: http://cgi.ebay.com/Odyssea-36-192W-...cm dZViewItem

does anyone know anything about these or have any experience? Is this enough light for an 18-24" deep tank?