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[staplejj33]

this is mine. i'm researching, mostly. the boss wants seahorses so i'm giving her seahorses. i'm well read, but i get conflicting info from the forums. some say no tank mates, some say a few, there's this coral or THIS coral but certainly not THAT coral, blah blah blah. i'm just sifting the info so i have a general grasp and i can kind of take off in a well-informed direction of my own. i've noticed noobs get the cold shoulder sometimes in leiu of much more "experienced" hobbyist questions, but for the sake of intrduction, here's the preliminary plan:

a 29g biocube because, as far as i can tell, it's twice the volume without twice the price.

LR with as much LPS (right?) coral as i can add. i like polyps and clams. maybe some complimentary finger corals for gripping.

a couple crabs and shrimp.

a firefish or mandarin just to add some flavpr without adding too much food competition.

still debating the whole MH/T5 upgrade.

so there's the plan. i'm visiting aquariums like a rabid madman. if you know any in the LA area i'm all ears - i'm always on the look out for that ONE that has everything i need that no one knows about but all the best hobbyists use it. and i'm here, as well as some other forums, gathering as much information as humanly possible. i'm excited to see where all this goes. pix and updates will ABOUND (i get pretty obsessive about new hobbies) so keep an eye out. and thank you so very much for answering all my stupid newbie questions in advance, as i'm sure there will be many. (for example, links to a step-by-step biocube set up? what's a FOWLR? can i use hermits instead of snails?)

[nanoreefing4fun]

to ReefSanctuary, a real Sanctuary of reef forums, with lots of very nice members

[BigAl07]

Hello staplejj33 and welcome to RS!

I can't answer all of your questions but I'll grab the ones I feel comfortable with

Originally Posted by staplejj33

...i'm well read, but i get conflicting info from the forums.

That's a forum for you. We're ALL experts (at least we think so anyway) in our field and anyone elses ideas are just wrong LOL.

Originally Posted by staplejj33

a 29g biocube because, as far as i can tell, it's twice the volume without twice the price.

Good idea... bigger is usually BETTER especially for your first tank. Honestly for a Reef Tank I like to see something in excess of 30g and would LOVE to see 55g + as first but that's not always possible or practical. More water volume helps to compensate or at least slow down the negative processes we all make while learning.

Also another option might be a RSM 130D. They cost a bit more but you get a LOT more "Bang for the Buck" with them. Things you'll be adding to your system anyway are already included IN the package.

Originally Posted by staplejj33

LR with as much LPS (right?) coral as i can add. i like polyps and clams. maybe some complimentary finger corals for gripping.

Yes LPS = Large Polyp Stony coral. Some of these are among the easiest and hardiest coral to grow. My first coral was an LPS... FrogSpawn and I have some of it in every tank I own.

Polyps? That could be any number of different coral as most all have SOME type of polyp. I'm going out on a limb and assume you're talking about Zoas & Palys. They are GREAT corals and also something I have in every tank.


Clams. . . that's WAY on down the road and you have to make sure you have INTENSE lighting for them as they are almost (not quiet total) wholly photosynthetic and need intense direct light for long term health.

Originally Posted by staplejj33

a couple crabs and shrimp.

An excellent part of your Clean Up Crew (CUC). You can use SOME types of hermits in addition to snails but it's best to have a well rounded balance of all the above

Originally Posted by staplejj33

a firefish or mandarin just to add some flavpr without adding too much food competition.

Granted they wont compete with several other animals for food but the Mandarin has a very specific diet and it needs to be researched in depth before hand. It's not impossible to keep but it requires a certain set-up and a MATURE system for success and even then it's "iffy". Research them long and hard first.

Originally Posted by staplejj33

725934still debating the whole MH/T5 upgrade.

Aren't we all? I'm a HUGE fan of T5's until the LED market comes to town I've "Been there done that" with MH.

Originally Posted by staplejj33

what's a FOWLR? can i use hermits instead of snails?)

FOWLR Fish Only With Live Rock
FO Fish Only
Reef - Fish, inverts, Live Rock, Live Sand and the whole shooting match.

The only question is the one un-asked!!

Again welcome to RS!!

[tektite]

Maybe consider some decorative macro algae for them? Some macros can be really nice looking, not to mention they will help keep nitrates down. I imagine that some bright red macros would also maybe help a little with the seahorses' color.

If I got seahorses I'd add red gracillaria.
Here's some that was in my tank:

[nanoreefing4fun]

...i'm well read, but i get conflicting info from the forums.

Check out this post... it written by the owner of RS, Travis & very worth a read - imo

10kFriendsArt.

i've noticed noobs get the cold shoulder sometimes in leiu of much more "experienced" hobbyist questions

Not here on RS, as you can already see, RS is the best sw forum on the internet

[Frankie]

My first post was about my water quality. I said, "My water clarity is awesome!" in the sentence, 'Mojoreef' (A former posting member) asked what I meant about that and my answer was " It's very clear"....boy was I in the dark

[staplejj33]

nanoreefing4fun - thanks for the warm welcome!

BigAl07 - WOW! thanks for all the info. you must be "comfortable" with many aspects of the hobby! thanks for the heads up about the RSM130D, but i think close to a grand is about the WHOLE budget. maybe when it's time to upgrade, and my boss can keep the nano as a hippocampus tank. that way i can get REAL fish. "polyps" was zoans and acans. are we still talking about the same things here? thanks for all the other info, especially about clams (grrr, those were "high-pri" for me!) and why T5 over MH?

tektite - PERFECT!!! (feverishly begins googling this "macro" you speak of)

[BigAl07]

The T5 vs MH debate is like Ford vs Chevy. You can get GOOD in either and you can get BAD in either one. MH brought about so many more possiblities because before this we were very limited on which coral could be kept long term. T12 VHO came onto the scene and again started "making waves" in the Reef Lighting world. Well low and behold technology comes along and introduces the Reefing world to T5. T5's are smaller diameter, produce more light per watt, and are now available is some many variations it's mind boggling. With recent advances in reflectors and other aspects of lighting T5 have (In my eyes) pulled out well ahead of other lighting options until you get to tanks 24" or deeper. You get more, costs less and you have a world of options in color to make the tank look how you like AND still get some amazing coral growth.

Now with all that being said I know that T5 doesn't satisfy everyone and the best thing you can do is research more about lights and look at what others are doing that WORKS long term. Come up with a game plan that you think will work for your set-up and go with it.

Most importantly don't cut corners when picking equipment like Lights, Skimmers etc. You WILL get what you pay for. Quality is going to cost a little more up front but will pay off a LOT more in the end.