First off just wanted to say that I'm definitely new to SW and most of what I have learned has been from people who want to sell me things... i.e. LFS. I have decided I want to do a FOWLR tank. Second, this is going to be a pretty long post and I apologize in advance for that.
I recently got a 55 gal tall tank for free from a family friend. It came with no hood and just a glass folding top. I went to the LFS and they gave me two over the back Aqueon power filter 30's. The box says each will do 200 gal/hr. I guess my first question is if I am supposed to be using the filter cartrages that came with these filters or, if i read correctly in someone's post, if I should just use them for water movement.
Second question. I have CC and the "live sand" that the LFS said I needed. If I got two bags of the "live sand" stuff and about 3/4 of a bag of CC, rinsed the CC, mixed them together and put them in about a week ago. Is this an okay thing to do. Seems like not too many people go the CC route and opt for DSB. (I think is what it's called)
Next questions. Is my next step to add the LR and some raw shrimp to the tank and let it cycle? Do I need power heads and a protein skimmer right now? When I do get the protein skimmer is there a place that I can put it so that it isn't making the tank look ugly? Possibly somewhere I can put the filters and/or the heater too?
Also, I don't know what kind of lighting I will need. Again, just want to do some fish and LR.
Sorry for the length and thank you all in advance.
I recently got a 55 gal tall tank for free from a family friend. It came with no hood and just a glass folding top. I went to the LFS and they gave me two over the back Aqueon power filter 30's. The box says each will do 200 gal/hr. I guess my first question is if I am supposed to be using the filter cartrages that came with these filters or, if i read correctly in someone's post, if I should just use them for water movement.
Second question. I have CC and the "live sand" that the LFS said I needed. If I got two bags of the "live sand" stuff and about 3/4 of a bag of CC, rinsed the CC, mixed them together and put them in about a week ago. Is this an okay thing to do. Seems like not too many people go the CC route and opt for DSB. (I think is what it's called)
Next questions. Is my next step to add the LR and some raw shrimp to the tank and let it cycle? Do I need power heads and a protein skimmer right now? When I do get the protein skimmer is there a place that I can put it so that it isn't making the tank look ugly? Possibly somewhere I can put the filters and/or the heater too?
Also, I don't know what kind of lighting I will need. Again, just want to do some fish and LR.
Sorry for the length and thank you all in advance.