My neighbor gave me a 50 gallon tank she was trying to get rid of, and I jumped right on the offer. I really want to start a reef tank, but I'm not looking to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars. I mean I'll spend what I have too, I just don't want to go overboard. So when making recommendations, try to remain "pocket friendly".
Mainly I will be asking basics such as necessary equipment aswell as recommended equipment, then I will get into what actually goes into the tank.
The tank walls are pretty dirty with what looks to be tough dryed on algae. I filled the tank with water and went at it with an algae scraper, but some of it is still there. How can I get it off? And I also would like to use something to get the walls cleaned up well to get anything else off and make it "shine".
It also came with a working aquarium light and a not so working filter. I figured only solution to that is buying another filter, which I already found the same one online.
Now where should I start once I actually want to start getting the tank going, and what do I need to buy to make it happen? I want rock, live rock might be too much money, but I just want something that pops, to have the colors of the reef. Now if there are cheap corals and rocks that make an impression, perfect! If not, what are some other options?
Now fish wise, all I know is I want a lionfish, but do not know what will live peacefully with lionfish. I'm thinking there are smaller species of Lionfish so they don't eat all the other fish. What might those species of lionfish be? Then, what would be nice species who could live among the lionfish. I would like to have a bit of diversity. Any recommendations?
I appreciate the help, thanks!
Mainly I will be asking basics such as necessary equipment aswell as recommended equipment, then I will get into what actually goes into the tank.
The tank walls are pretty dirty with what looks to be tough dryed on algae. I filled the tank with water and went at it with an algae scraper, but some of it is still there. How can I get it off? And I also would like to use something to get the walls cleaned up well to get anything else off and make it "shine".
It also came with a working aquarium light and a not so working filter. I figured only solution to that is buying another filter, which I already found the same one online.
Now where should I start once I actually want to start getting the tank going, and what do I need to buy to make it happen? I want rock, live rock might be too much money, but I just want something that pops, to have the colors of the reef. Now if there are cheap corals and rocks that make an impression, perfect! If not, what are some other options?
Now fish wise, all I know is I want a lionfish, but do not know what will live peacefully with lionfish. I'm thinking there are smaller species of Lionfish so they don't eat all the other fish. What might those species of lionfish be? Then, what would be nice species who could live among the lionfish. I would like to have a bit of diversity. Any recommendations?
I appreciate the help, thanks!