ill very quickly add that it is very much a possibility to be able to not purchase some pieces of equipment and bring the cost down to a manageable level, especially when dealing with more robust species such as clowns. i started out and still do have 2 clowns in a 20 gallon tank with 20lbs of live rock, 2 powerheads, a heater, sand, and a small light for keeping undemanding soft corals, it cost a little under the 300$ mark and the only problem ive had is my dad putting in tap water which created a huge mess and wanting more fish.
but if your friend is really willing to get that regal tang id maybe jus tgo with the flow and get all the unrequired essentials. just keep in mind that for corals theres a wholee nother thing involving lights and mineral/nutrient/chemical levels that can cost about as half as much as setting everything else up. not to mention the corals themselve are expensive and can cause other problems if not taken care of.
id love for the both of you to get some large tansk and have some awseome reefs, but right now im feeling that id feel more comfortable with you getting the bigger tank. but if she is also doing tons of research herself on the sidelines then thats great, it would help if she joined here so as to get a better sense of what she wants.
but if your friend is really willing to get that regal tang id maybe jus tgo with the flow and get all the unrequired essentials. just keep in mind that for corals theres a wholee nother thing involving lights and mineral/nutrient/chemical levels that can cost about as half as much as setting everything else up. not to mention the corals themselve are expensive and can cause other problems if not taken care of.
id love for the both of you to get some large tansk and have some awseome reefs, but right now im feeling that id feel more comfortable with you getting the bigger tank. but if she is also doing tons of research herself on the sidelines then thats great, it would help if she joined here so as to get a better sense of what she wants.
