got some questions... trying to work with a budget.. would a canister filter work for a saltwater tank, and if so what size would I need on a 25g (24x12x20) I need to turn the tank over 8-12 times right?

or would a sump be better?

protein skimmer would a hob one work, or should I get one that sits in the sump?

do I need a refugium?

lighting, what type of lighting would I need? would 2 t5 ho bulbs work or should I do 4 bulbs. I plan for some soft corals... or maybe just an anemone.

live sand - is just live sand right is any brand better then the other, and how many pounds do I need?

live rock, how many pounds do I need and what type is the best. what should I get? tonya,fiji,vanuatu,etc.

salt/water will more or likely just buy local and make a couple of trips.

power head, will more or likely get a hydor k-nano, or should I get a k 1 ?

fish --- I like the pajami cardinals, banggai cardinals, and royal dotty back. are this fish reef safe, is my tank big enough?

canister fiter will work but will need to be cleaned often to prevent nitrates.
HOB skimmer is better and a sump/fuge is even better for multiple reasons.
no you dont have to have a fuge.
a 2 bulb fixture will work fine for softies but you would need better light to support anemone.
I like the black and white Caribsea ocean direct they come in 40lb bags
live sand will help jump start your cycle.
1 1/2 -2lbs per gallon of water of live rock what kind is up to you and what you like the look of mine is a mix of the above.
for a 25 gallon tank I would use 2 Koralia 2's
all the fish you listed are reef safe the PJ's and Bangaii's do best in groups. the Dotty if fine but they can be territorial.
keep in mind nems need really good water quality/ good flow and good lighting
and a well cycled tank. I keep 5 nems in a 40 gallon under 150 watt MH

so if I had a canister that does 265gph would that work ? check..

hob skimmer - will find a red sea prizm.

live sand will get from local fish store.

rock I can get from salt water members or /at lfs.
lighting, would a t5 ho 2x24 watt ballast, with a 10,000k and antic work to grow softies? if I use single bulb reflectors(so each bulb has it own reflector in the canopy?

and when you say group for the pj's or bangaii's that means at least 5 right?

are poly's soft or hard corals?


a local saltwater club is meeting at the local saltwater store, so I can ask them a lot of question, and I bet they would help me get started...

canister - yes but like she said watch nitrates. This is more important for a nem than the softies.

skimmer - If you're running one of these you don't need the canister unless you want to run carbon or just do sporadic water polishing.

refugium - These are great ways to raise tank food, and serve as a means of nutrient export from the water when combined with macro algae. CPR actually makes a really nice combo unit skimmer/refugium that's pretty easy to set up. But no this is not required.

lighting - cwhip covered that pretty good. Yes retrofit t5 will work that way for softies.

I don't know on the bangaii's I don't have any fish in my 29... maybe today that changes.

I'm not sure what this question is. All corals have polyps. If you're up for a drive once you get cycled come see the pope. I'll hook you up with some softies that'll do well in a nano. (Affectionately the pope's holy softie starter pack. GSP, Xenia, and whatever else I can lop off while you wait!)

I'll be there between 12 and 1. 20% off! That store is known for their softies (zoanthids) and they should have a lot of cool stuff.

Joey ....I would bet money that you go back to fresh!

yeah fresh is easier and pretty much a no brainer:) just think you can water your house plants with the same water you top off your tanks with..

so you will be at neptunes cove pope? and I have saltwater before but I didn't get in to corals I just did a fowlr tank.

I guess I'm trying to ask what is sps and what is hps or all the short names when people talk about corals...


so I guess I just need to set the tank up where I want it, get a hob protein skimmer.
25-30 pounds of live rock, live sand, 2 foot reflectors, a 10k,a antic bulb, a hydor power head, and then get saltwater, let it cycle then ad corals and fish.

Actually I herd SW is much easier once you get it going. I have done it once....but I am to addicted to my breeding of African Cichlids.

will be there...

SPS - small polyp stony - acropora would be a species to google. these are what most people think of when they think of coral reef. These generally require the most light and stable parameters.

LPS - large polyp stony - these are like your hammers or frogspawn. They'll have some sort of skeleton with large fleshy polyps. Easier to care for than SPS, but they can be aggressive toward other coral.

Softies - Mushrooms, Zoanthids, Palythoas, Xenia, button polyps the list goes on and on. These generally lack a skeleton and easiest to care for. Several species here are tolerant of varying water parameters and moderate lighting. Your basic beginner coral.

25-30 pounds should do ya good. I was thinking of ordering from liverockranch or whatever it is at $3/pound.

I've done both but reef tanks take a good amount of knowledge with the water chemistry because if your cal,mag,alk is off corals will begin to die especially SPSs
SPS Small polyp stoney.... Acro's stag horn, montipora etc... difficult
LPS large polyp stoney... frog spawn, duncan, etc...moderate
zoanthids, paly soft but pretty much the same expect palys are larger.. easy
softy's mushrooms,leather,xenia's etc...easy

Ha! pope great minds think alike!!

softies are what I'm thinking of then. cool, be there shortly just going to go to the bank real quick ;) .