emille

hi all and thanks for your replies.

i went on sunday to the masa (wa branch) event - was interesting to see a 'top of the range' tank.  quite scary actually how complicated and expensive things can become

this is where I am at at the moment:

so far i have decided to 'upgrade'/maximise my sumps as much as possible as this is where my stability will lie.  i am considering asking morley aquariums tomorrow how much they would quote for a sump - i need about  34 cm (length) x 34 cm (width) x 50 cm (height) sump with about 3 compartments.  I am can't expand on the width but can get volume in the height.  not sure if the height is too high. i want to put algae and live rock in the sump and perhaps bioballs and filter media (sponge where it enters the sump)

i have no idea how the pipes will have to connect etc but will pursue that now

1) pump/'wave maker' - tunze nano stream 6015 - price is good and sounds like good quality. for the nano i don't think i would need more movement. the electronic ones are too expensive

2) led lights, these for the price:

16k http://www.naqua.com... ... -reef-lamp or  if i feel to splurge these (sexy) ones: Micmol Aqua Mini (http://www.naqua.com... ... -aqua-mini)

3) aqua one G216 protein skimmer - set at lowest and put this in the sump

4) a small twin marine tank clip on fan for those hot perth days - and put it over the sump - any ideas of good brands for these

Aquarium Low Noise Hang On Cooling Fan For Nano Coral Reef...

i have no clue about corals though but i am thinking the least complicated ones and definitely the 'mushroom/fungia' ones.  in terms of fish - 2 clowns and blenny

alternatively small tropical seahorses (food puts me off) but i am steering towards clowns at the moment. 

will keep you updated and any views, opinions, advice welcomed!

hi redevilz

thanks for your reply, i really appreciate the response and the very useful information. I am very very green with this and my amount of knowledge is dangerous 

i have read each sentence a few times and is drinking up all the new found knowledge...

however i bought a tank for the oscars 4 x 2 x 2 and now a year later i feel sorry i did not wait a while longer, and rather buy a bigger tank.  now i already feel i should upgrade.  to some extent i don't want to make the same mistake with the marine setup.  

I am really inspired by the fact that you say its not that difficult, just a few more things to remember/follow and it looks like particularly a slow start is essential.  I would definitely then put the life rock, keep it for 2 months, then perhaps add one coral/fish every month after that?!

I went to Aquatix yesterday and actually saw the ocean free 34 litre there, but they look incredibly small.  its amazing you made it work.  such a small tank would really make me nervous... something i was considering is to find a way of adding a sump or external filter to a small one like that, don't know if this is even possible, but that would increase stability a bit?.  on the other hand i though of thought to go for something between 50 and 100 litre (the 200 you mention would be too costly).   craig is listing a beauty at the moment on this forum - but its $450 which is although probably a good price, a bit much for me at the moment.  perhaps i should just keep on researching and building my knowledge base (and save).  I suspect a tank like this would probably be $1200 new?

excuse my ignorance, but is a sump something that could be installed to an existing tank (hole drilled) or do you have to buy a tank and sump at the same time? Also does a sump require an actual 'hole' in the 'mother' tank or can it be done with a 'pipe' as with external filter hoses?

i would keep the simpler corals - really love the torch coral.  lights seem to be one of the most expensive aspects with marine tanks....

thanks for your advice, really appreciate it and i am sure this conversation will continue as my journey goes on