Looking for good Beginner's Guides.

[Fatman]

this is where Jojo and i disagree ... i think you should know what kind of corals you may want to keep BEFORE anything else. this way you will know the types of things you will need (example : metal halide [any coral you want and clams], power compact [most soft corals], VHO [all soft and most all LPS, and some sps corals], or T5 lighting [all soft, most LPS, and some sps corals]).

although you WILL need to start the tank AT LEAST a month before the corals can go in it, you should know what you want so you know what to buy for them !!

I agree with you there bobby. I was recommended to figure out what I want in the tank first, so that I understand what I will need for the tank (lighting filtration etc).

[jojo22]

this is where Jojo and i disagree ... i think you should know what kind of corals you may want to keep BEFORE anything else. this way you will know the types of things you will need (example : metal halide [any coral you want and clams], power compact [most soft corals], VHO [all soft and most all LPS, and some sps corals], or T5 lighting [all soft, most LPS, and some sps corals]).

although you WILL need to start the tank AT LEAST a month before the corals can go in it, you should know what you want so you know what to buy for them !!

I think I may have been misunderstood here. What I was trying to say was worry about plumbing, how to do water changes, and general set-up. I guess I should have been more clear. I definately agree with these guys that you need to know what you want before getting your lights or for that fact a skimmer. My main point was to start getting the basics down before you get into corals and there needs. Just to be clear I agree that you should know if you wnat softies, lps,sps before getting your lights or skimmer, or your return pump. Ok enough rambeling I hope this clears up what I was trying to say.

[Iconz]

well, i went tonight to petco (out of curiousity) and got a printout of all the SW fish they offer and their prices. The LFS was closed already, else i woulda went there.

[jojo22]

I would also check online for info on the species you like. Large chain pet stores are famous for haveing VERY incorect info. BTW what caught you're eye??

[Iconz]

I saw a GORGEOUS solid yellow tang that was about 2.5"... i mean beautiful! And of course some nice looking tiny tomato clowns, and some really pretty percula clowns. They didn't have much on display, but those 3 were the most appealing. They alose had some turbo snails, a couple Gobys, A Niger Trigger, and a few of others that I can't remember. It was fun! I'm addicted and I don't even have a tank yet! arghhh!

[jojo22]

Liquid crack I tell ya!!!...LOL

[Iconz]

haha! well i just browsed through some corals online... and here are some that I found appealing. some more than others. I just don't know how to catagorize them and have NO knowledge on Compatibility issues (if any exist).

All of these were viewed on saltwaterfish.com

Christmas Tree Coral
Carnations Red/Orange
Distichopora - Purple
Elegant Coral
Fine Grape Coral
Fox Coral
Frogspawn Coral
Galaxea Coral
Goniopora - Yellow
Hammer Coral
Hard Tube Coco Worm
Leather - Devil's Hand
Leather - Stubby Finger
Leather - Toadstool
Mushroom Coral - Blue Spotted
Mushroom Coral - Blue Stripe
Mushroom Coral - Fuzzy Grass
Mushroom Coral - Striped Green Metallic
Mushroom Polyp - Green Ricordea
Mushroom Polyp - Orange Ricordea
Mushroom Polyp - Umbrella
Pagoda Cup - Colored
Plate Coral - Green
Plate Coral - Green Long Tentacle
Plate Coral - Neon Green
Plate Coral - Pink Long Tentacle
Sun Coral - Orange
Torch Coral
and a few zoos!

[jojo22]

I don't know if I am remembering right but I think plate corals and the pagoda cup need preaty good lighting. So you may feel free to consider this a bump so someone that knows plates better can help confirm this or tell you how much of a nut job I am. The rest of these guys are not dependant on MH of t5/vho lighting if I am remembering. But don't quote me on that as I am heavily sedated at the moment for sever migraines.

[Fatman]

Petco is a place I would not recommend getting fish, I guess im a bit blessed and have around 10 to 20 LFS in my area, but I defintely would not do petco.

Jojo I see the point you were trying to make and apologize for the confusion.

Iconz Jojo is right because tank+ plumbing come before lights, skimmer etc. So figure out your tank, stand, and plumbing set-up.

PS: You always want alot of flow, i forgot what the minimum turn over is.

[lReef lKeeper]

i didn't know you had migraines Jojo !! my wife gets them BAD ... sees spots, literally sick, and all that good stuff. sorry for the misunderstanding, buddy !!

i would say you will need AT THE VERY LEAST a good set of High Output T5's or VHO's if you want to keep the plates, pagoda (cup coral), fox, fragspawn, elegant, goniopora, or hammer corals. i am not to sure on the galaxia (VERY AGGRESSIVE). and for the Distichopora you will need metal halides.

most everything else can live under power compact lighting.

a lot of people believe that 40x tank volume is "ideal" flow rate.