OK, a lame and old title, but I thought it fit what I am doing here!
I am about ready to set up in the next few weeks. I am trying to do as decent of a setup job as I can within my budget.
Here's what I have:
---46 gallon bow front aquarium with included hood...whatever ordinary fluorescent light comes with it. Eventually, I plan to replace this with a light that corals and polyps will thrive under, but for the next 6 or so months I plan to do FOWLR, so I believe this light is fine for now.
Here's what I intend to get:
---65 total pounds of live rock (35 pounds of foundation rock and 30 pounds of Select Lalo Rock)
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=2391
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=876
---50 to 60 pounds of live sand....either 60 pounds of live sand or 30 pounds of sand and 20 pounds of live sand. This should give me about a 2-inch sandbed.
---Visi-Jet protein skimmer
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=4427&ref=3532&subref=AV&N=2004+113771
I know this might not be everyone's first choice, but many of the other skimmers are very expensive, and have ratings of in between 100 to 200 gallons, a little overkill for my 46. I hope this one will work acceptably.
---Powerhead(s)
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=4644&ref=3532&subref=AG&N=2004+113040
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=4628&ref=3532&subref=AG&N=2004+113040
I am undecided between the AquaClear powerheads and the Penguin powerheads. They both look pretty good, any opinions? Also, would it be best to get 1 powerhead that turns over about 250 gph, or 2 powerheads that together do the same job? I've heard that with 2 you can aim them at each other and create a chaotic flow that is most recommended. What do you think?
---Penguin 350 Filter
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12320&ref=3532&subref=AC&N=2004+22769
I have had excellent results with my Penguin 330 for my freshwater, and so would like to stick with this brand.
---Visi-Therm 200W Stealth Heater
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12060&ref=3532&subref=AE&N=2004+113767
This is about the right wattage, and seems to be very highly recommended.
So that's my opening plan in a nutshell! I of course will go through the curing process before I add any fish, but how does my plan look so far? Any help or opinions to share?
Thanks!
Paul
I am about ready to set up in the next few weeks. I am trying to do as decent of a setup job as I can within my budget.
Here's what I have:
---46 gallon bow front aquarium with included hood...whatever ordinary fluorescent light comes with it. Eventually, I plan to replace this with a light that corals and polyps will thrive under, but for the next 6 or so months I plan to do FOWLR, so I believe this light is fine for now.
Here's what I intend to get:
---65 total pounds of live rock (35 pounds of foundation rock and 30 pounds of Select Lalo Rock)
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=2391
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=876
---50 to 60 pounds of live sand....either 60 pounds of live sand or 30 pounds of sand and 20 pounds of live sand. This should give me about a 2-inch sandbed.
---Visi-Jet protein skimmer
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=4427&ref=3532&subref=AV&N=2004+113771
I know this might not be everyone's first choice, but many of the other skimmers are very expensive, and have ratings of in between 100 to 200 gallons, a little overkill for my 46. I hope this one will work acceptably.
---Powerhead(s)
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=4644&ref=3532&subref=AG&N=2004+113040
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=4628&ref=3532&subref=AG&N=2004+113040
I am undecided between the AquaClear powerheads and the Penguin powerheads. They both look pretty good, any opinions? Also, would it be best to get 1 powerhead that turns over about 250 gph, or 2 powerheads that together do the same job? I've heard that with 2 you can aim them at each other and create a chaotic flow that is most recommended. What do you think?
---Penguin 350 Filter
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12320&ref=3532&subref=AC&N=2004+22769
I have had excellent results with my Penguin 330 for my freshwater, and so would like to stick with this brand.
---Visi-Therm 200W Stealth Heater
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12060&ref=3532&subref=AE&N=2004+113767
This is about the right wattage, and seems to be very highly recommended.
So that's my opening plan in a nutshell! I of course will go through the curing process before I add any fish, but how does my plan look so far? Any help or opinions to share?
Thanks!
Paul