New and trying to learn!!

[shovelhead91701]

Thanks for all the info but got laid-off on Friday so will have to wait.

Bummer man...... I hope you find something soon or it's a really short lay-off! Good Luck!

[Jamesr]

Yeah sucks hopefully wont be long!!! unless i get some donated stuff!! j/k what size tank would be a good size to start with??

[Jamesr]

Yeah let me check after some bills are paid. Also what do you gu??ys suggest for lights

[adalius]

Depends on how handy you are and if you're trying to do this on a shoestring budget when you get around to buying them. T5s are the old workhorse, MHs are nice, DIY LEDs are looking pretty sweet.

[bigbill]

if your looking for t5hos i just got a 48'' 4x58 with 4 bulbs for 164.98 shipped here is there link

http://www.fishneedit.com/ the bulbs arent the best but the lighting its self is great for the price

[dlhirst]

James, the general rule is - bigger is easier - in caring for tanks. Basically, if you have "bad things happen", you want more water to dilute it. Ironically, most people "start off small" thinking it is easier. I have only had one tank, and it is considered small (at 34Gals), so I just have to keep up with water changes, intentionally UNDERfeeding, etc. You can do it too. But, persistence pays off.
The tank you show in the original post is very doable, and not far off from my own. Though, it IS aquascaped better than mine! there is nothing in that tank that can't thrive with PC lights or T5 lighting as well. Likely, you will never put clams or SPS or 'nems in a BioCube anyway. If you ever do get interested in them, you will likely graduate to a larger tank as well. That's all down the road.
I bought an all-in-one package like your BioCube. And frankly, I think it IS the way to go for a beginner. You have enough to learn and fret over without having to make all of those decisions RIGHT NOW as well. A "package deal" tank might seem expensive to start, and yes, it IS. But, it is not as expensive as dead fish, dead corals, and all the equipment you might buy, scrap, buy etc as you put together the pieces of a used system.
Just my two cents...

[rmalone]

dlhirst is right the bigger the better always, assuming the budget and space are available. The deal chort55 just offered is excellent and a reasonable size that would give you FAR more options than any of the "cubes". For lights just get a t-5 array, yes pc would work, but trust me stick with the t-5's.

Like everyone said take thine time, make sensible well informed decisions, it saves money and heart ache, big time.

[Jamesr]

Thanks guys for the info. Haven't been around much. I hate michigan this time of year. Plus no decent jobs around. To bad i don't have alot of experience in all this i would apply for the position at Reef Paradise!