Advise On Other Equipment I Need That I Have Not Got Yet...

[hi-dro]

ok so ive started buying equipment for my tank this is what i have got so far...

48x15x12 tank with hood
2 seio's 620's
instant ocean hydrometer
arcadia starter unit 38w
triplus 42" tube 38w
300watt heater
tropic marin salt 10kg
digital lcd thermometer

Im goin to get a aquamedic flotor skimmer,master test kit,live Araggonite sand and around 15kg live rock to start with..
is there anythink else i will need? im a bit confused about R.O water is distilled water the same ?
my lfs is not very helpfull to be honest.. thanks

 

[SkiFletch]

Live sand = marketing gimmick. Save some money and get plain old Aragonite sand and spend the savings on extra live rock. Sand bed's seed and become live very quickly while LR is difficult to replace.

Distilled water that you buy from a grocery store is USUALLY the same thing as RO water. The only way to telll for sure is to use a TDS meter (total dissolves solutes) on it. If its 10ppm or less, then its suitable. The bottle must say "distilled" on it and shoul make no mention of any salts, flavoring, or sterlizing agents.

 

[hi-dro]

well they sell big bottles of distilled water at the local garage so i will look into that! so normal sand im my lfs will be ok and seed normal? is there any other equipment i will need mate? thanks for the reply

 

[SkiFletch]

Power strips and light timers... Make the electricians cringe

You've pretty much got everything there, what sort of livestock are you planning on keeping?

 

[hi-dro]

well basically at the moment i just wanted to get two clowns i wanted to get a tang but dont think my tank would be the right size to keep one as it says 50 gallon on most sites ive seen im not really sure what other fish i could have but i would like some emerald mithrax crabs and hermits maybe two cleaner shrimp and maybe a sand sifting star fish eventually ... was not really thinking of haveing corals as this is my first marine tank...

any advise?

 

[Chac]

Have a look on Live Aquria for pics of fish you like

A good centre peice fish for your size tank would be a Dwarf Angel of some sort

Also there are loads of Corals that need minimal attention - have a look at the link above at Soft Corals

 

[hi-dro]

thanks for that chac! will check it now

 

[hi-dro]

well i got my protein skimmer now! goin to order my live rock and sand next weekend then thats everythink will get some pics up soon for you to see thanks for all the help you have been giveing me much appreciated