I need advice on a new tank.

[the bomb]

I’m new to this and trying to set up a 90 gallon tank. I want putting a flame angel, mandarin fish, royal gramma midget chromis and a lawnmower blenny in it. The filtration system I want to use is a aquaclear 110 hob power filter and 2 aqueon powerheads with 950 gph. I need advice on if this setup would work, what lights to get and if I need a skimmer. Any advice would be really appreciated.

 

[Mpek]

They're are so many choices....ecotech, Aquaillumination, Kessel, orphek, etc. Check out Bulk Reef Supply. They have videos to help you make a choice.

 

[the bomb]

The World of Copepods - Intro

www.marinespecies.org

Primary source of food for fishes like mandarins. If you don't have a thriving population....it's likely your fish that eat them for their primary diet will not survive.

Thank you I had no idea.

 

[the bomb]

They're are so many choices....ecotech, Aquaillumination, Kessel, orphek, etc. Check out Bulk Reef Supply. They have videos to help you make a choice.

Thank you. Do you know of any budget options?

 

[Mpek]

What's your budget?

 

[the bomb]

Thank you I had no idea.

The World of Copepods - Intro

www.marinespecies.org

Primary source of food for fishes like mandarins. If you don't have a thriving population....it's likely your fish that eat them for their primary diet will not survive.

Where would I get these?

 

[the bomb]

What's your budget?

Preferable under 60 for lights but I could upgrade in a couple month bc I’m getting a job to pay for the tank.

 

[Mpek]

You can buy them from several different vendors....but let's focus in getting your tank up and running first.

 

[Mpek]

Ahh...Just curious, how old are you?

 

[the bomb]

You can buy them from several different vendors....but let's focus in getting your tank up and running first.

Ok so I need some live rock which I have under control filters and powerheads right?

 

[the bomb]

Ahh...Just curious, how old are you?

14 turning 15

 

[Mpek]

OK. I was close. I was guessing 16. That's good. I'm glad you're getting into the hobby. I believe in mentorship. We have to get you set up properly so that you don't spend thousands of dollars on mistakes. I don't even want to tell you how much I've spent over the years on mistakes alone.
First things first, those articles we sent you. Read up on those and they'll answer a lot of questions. While you're doing that we'll start putting your tank together properly.
Don't put any water in the tank yet. There a few things we need to address.

Nothing in this hobby happens quick except mistakes. Patience is very important. I learned that the hard way. I accidentally killed $1,000 worth of fish bc i didn't know about the nitrogen cycle and used tap water to fill my tank with salt mix..... not a good idea.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I’m new to this and trying to set up a 90 gallon tank. I want putting a flame angel, mandarin fish, royal gramma midget chromis and a lawnmower blenny in it. The filtration system I want to use is a aquaclear 110 hob power filter and 2 aqueon powerheads with 950 gph. I need advice on if this setup would work, what lights to get and if I need a skimmer. Any advice would be really appreciated.

Aquaclear wonnt keep up and I recommend a hang on refugium such as Fiji, CPR Backpack or similar. If coral , yes on skimmer and consider a well priced unit such as an ice cap K1-50 or K1-100 which looks and works like a full size skimmer unit

 

[the bomb]

OK. I was close. I was guessing 16. That's good. I'm glad you're getting into the hobby. I believe in mentorship. We have to get you set up properly so that you don't spend thousands of dollars on mistakes. I don't even want to tell you how much I've spent over the years on mistakes alone.
First things first, those articles we sent you. Read up on those and they'll answer a lot of questions. While you're doing that we'll start putting your tank together properly.
Don't put any water in the tank yet. There a few things we need to address.

Nothing in this hobby happens quick except mistakes. Patience is very important. I learned that the hard way. I accidentally killed $1,000 worth of fish bc i didn't know about the nitrogen cycle and used tap water to fill my tank with salt mix..... not a good idea.

Wow. I’m so glad I found this site and can learn from people who know what they are talking about. I still am a couple months away from water I’m just trying to research and figure it out. I am about to start curing live rock. I’ve got to go to bed thank you so much for the advice!

 

[Mpek]

We're all here to help and learn. If you ever stop learning .... you're probably not alive anymore.
Trust us and we'll steer you in the right direction. Depending on your cash flow ....we may want to wait a little bit longer for water. It'll happen, let's get the logistics worked out first. We'll catch up later.

 

[1000rrstunna]

Welcome. I would suggest trying to do a tank that has a sump for the best experience long term.. save up of shop marketplace for good deals on nice used stuff it’s out there ALOT

90 gallons will be a great start. Do you have any of the rock yet ?

 

[the bomb]

Welcome. I would suggest trying to do a tank that has a sump for the best experience long term.. save up of shop marketplace for good deals on nice used stuff it’s out there ALOT

90 gallons will be a great start. Do you have any of the rock yet ?

Welcome. I would suggest trying to do a tank that has a sump for the best experience long term.. save up of shop marketplace for good deals on nice used stuff it’s out there ALOT

90 gallons will be a great start. Do you have any of the rock yet ?

Welcome. I would suggest trying to do a tank that has a sump for the best experience long term.. save up of shop marketplace for good deals on nice used stuff it’s out there ALOT

90 gallons will be a great start. Do you have any of the rock yet ?

I am about to get some rock. How much are sumps? I am trying to stay under 800 total cost.

 

[the bomb]

We're all here to help and learn. If you ever stop learning .... you're probably not alive anymore.
Trust us and we'll steer you in the right direction. Depending on your cash flow ....we may want to wait a little bit longer for water. It'll happen, let's get the logistics worked out first. We'll catch up later.

Awesome thank you so much for the help starting. Btw I don’t even have a tank yet and I found a 125 gallon In marketplace that is cheaper than a aqueon 90 gallon is that worth it?

 

[Mpek]

OK. A 125 is a nice size but that's ultimately up to you. The bigger you get the more you'll spend. I would not go any larger than a 125 for now. You'll end up upgrading in the future anyway....we all do. I started with an 8 gallon then a 55...150, 300DD, and now a 350.
If you were in FL I would give you a sump and help you set your tank up.
I would check locally to see if anyone is selling or giving away some aquarium equipment. It'll help you in getting started. Obviously, have an adult go with you bc there are creepers out there and thieves.
A lot of ppl get into the hobby but quit bc they didn't do their research and get frustrated when things go wrong. They end up giving away equipment or sell for a significant discount. This is another main reason I'd like you to read those articles before going full speed ahead.
I would absolutely suggest a tank that has an internal overflow that drains into a sump. The sump houses all of the "life support" for the tank and hides the equipment, ugly stuff, and wires. It also allows you to add equipment without taking up space in your display.

 

[the bomb]

OK. A 125 is a nice size but that's ultimately up to you. The bigger you get the more you'll spend. I would not go any larger than a 125 for now. You'll end up upgrading in the future anyway....we all do. I started with an 8 gallon then a 55...150, 300DD, and now a 350.
If you were in FL I would give you a sump and help you set your tank up.
I would check locally to see if anyone is selling or giving away some aquarium equipment. It'll help you in getting started. Obviously, have an adult go with you bc there are creepers out there and thieves.
A lot of ppl get into the hobby but quit bc they didn't do their research and get frustrated when things go wrong. They end up giving away equipment or sell for a significant discount. This is another main reason I'd like you to read those articles before going full speed ahead.
I would absolutely suggest a tank that has an internal overflow that drains into a sump. The sump houses all of the "life support" for the tank and hides the equipment, ugly stuff, and wires. It also allows you to add equipment without taking up space in your display.

Do you know a site where I could find that?

 

[Sophie"s mom]

There will just be live rock and fish. What skimmer would you recommend?

I have a 90 gallon and my skimmer is a Reef Octo classic 2000 HOB. it does an amazing job. Also on lights, I use Hipargero 100 watt, I use 2 of them. But if you never plan to have corals, or anemones, you don’t need lights that strong. If you think you may consider them in the future, I wiould just get good lights right from jump.