Hello

[NANAReef]

Greetings from Texas /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif .. Great site you guys have here. Been browsing the fourms for a few weeks learning a whole bunch from you guys. And I first would like to say Thanks, you guys have saved me many trips to houston! (I live an hour away from there)..

1st about me. some 10- 15 years ago My father and I would build reef tanks. Big ones (200 ). So I know a bit about their setup. Last tanks we had where a 200 and a 250 linked together to a 150 gallon Sump/wetdry setup. and a 80 Gallon fuge. ( I said big /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif )..

Well I am trying to get back to this hobby. I now am married and budget'ed. But I have a 45 Gal Corner/hex.I have a custom hood (made by me /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif ) with a 24" 65w 50/50 Coralife PC and 2 fluorescent lamps, and will be adding moolighting soon. I also have some nice Coral Skeletons from my Dads tank (Huge pipeorgan and a large cauliflower dominate the tank). I have a Jebo 180 skimmer, and I am starting to make my fuge.

I know the lights are on the Low side, but I just dont have the cash for anything else. I really only want to put in some softies anyway (Zoos, and Shrooms) I know they will live with this light, but will they grow at a good rate? I will only be able to afford Frags ATM and would like to see some growth on them /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif ..

Just finished my nitrogen cycle. And getting ready for the algae so the cleanup crew is next on my list.. As I have never had a reef this small. Anyone mind telling me what kind of a cleanup crew I should get in there. I would mainly be getting Turbo's maybe a coupple of hermits, and an emrald crab or 2. Should I get anything else?

Again great group you have here, look forward to chatting..

[tendar]

With your lights yo will get some growth. The mushrooms to the lower levels of the tank and zoo's and leather and such up higher for more light will help to increase growth.
You cleanup crew is good but turbo's are buldozers so make sure your corals are well attached in place. Will you be geting any fishes? I serpent star would make a nice addition to your cleanup crew.

Oh and welcome to the BOARD

[NANAReef]

Thanks for the info.

Fish yes. But not right away. Again a money thing. Fish on my list to get: Percula Clown (maybe a pair), a goby and a dottyback (I have not decided what types(any sugestions? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif ),and a flame angel. The flame angel will be my last fish. I know they like well establised tanks, so perhaps in 4 or 5 months. The wife would like a tang, but the tank size just wont cut it.

I love fish, but the tank size + the bioload of the coral would not hold much more then this..

Thank you on the lights. Any sugestions of any places to get Zoos or Shroom frags online? or would it be best to try locally. I would say local, but I would like frags that are tank bred a coupple of generations (as I understand it they grow better, and are more tollerant).. I dont know of a place around here that does that kind of thing..

[tendar]

Check with your local fish stores there maybe a reef club around that you can hook up with and do some trading there. If there is no club look in to starting one it is pretty easy to start one just put some fliers in your LFS and start one up. Best way to get frags cheap or free.
Be carfull with dottybacks they general pretty aggresive fish. Try one of the ORA tank raised Fridmani's are pretty ncie had one for about 2 years till it droped dead for unknown reason one day.