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Discussion in 'Introductions' started by ICreefNoob, May 13, 2012.

  1. May 13, 2012 #1
    ICreefNoob

    ICreefNoob

    58
    Ratings:
    +1 / 1 / -0
    Hi everyone,
    I am a grad student in Iowa City looking to start a small-ish reef tank.  I stumbled upon this site a few weeks ago through random internet searching and was impressed with the general helpfulness and activity. Right now I am in the research / deal searching phase for equipment and live stock.  My initial thoughts were to find a ~40 gallon cube with a sump/refugium, protein skimmer and an LED lighting setup (DIY maybe?).  I am pretty much starting from scratch as far as equipment goes so I need all the advice I can get.  
    I have a reasonable level of experience with freshwater tanks, and in high school I had a (reasonably successful) 10 gallon nano-reef for approximately two years. Leaving for college I figured it was too much to transfer a tank every semester between dorm rooms and apartments so I sold all of my equipment and livestock.  Now about 8 years later I am in a more permanent living situation and I instantly got the itch to start a new tank!
    For livestock I am looking to have a relatively light bioload of:
    3~4 fish (ocellaris clown, some sort of goby, flame angel, firefish?)
    coral banded shrimp
    cleaner shrimp
    clean up crew,
    and mainly soft and LPS corals.
    Does this goal sound feasible?
    Again I am pretty new to this so any suggestions as far as equipment (setup, what to get, deals!) or livestock (compatability, difficulty, etc).
    Thanks,
    Drew
     
  2. May 13, 2012 #2
    mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

    3,985
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    welcome to GIRS. I would say your goal is very reasonable and am looking forward to seeing your build.
     
  3. May 13, 2012 #3
    Sponge Marshalltown, IA

    Sponge Expert Reefkeeper Vendor

    3,347
    Marshalltown, IA
    Ratings:
    +233 / 1 / -0
    Hi and Welcome to GIRS /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif Your plan sounds great! Let us know how things go and if you have any questions. We like pictures and watching a new setup come to fruition is always enjoyable!
     
  4. May 13, 2012 #4
    gravattj

    gravattj Inactive User

    184
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    if i recall correctly, there is a chance the coral banded shrimp would kill the cleaner shrimp
     
  5. May 14, 2012 #5
    erayk1 Coralville, IA

    erayk1 Well-Known ReefKeeper Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member

    981
    Coralville, IA
    Ratings:
    +35 / 0 / -0
    If you are looking for contacts in the area, I live in IC as well as my buddy Andy. We've both got tons of experience and corals for sale! /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/wink.gif Welcome!
     
  6. May 14, 2012 #6
    vikubz Cedar Falls

    vikubz Well-Known ReefKeeper

    734
    Cedar Falls
    Ratings:
    +8 / 0 / -0
    +1 on Coral banded shrimp has rep for being ornery. Maybe substitute an emerald crab for cbs?
     
  7. May 25, 2012 #7
    Kpotter2 North liberty, IA

    Kpotter2 Expert Reefkeeper

    3,721
    North liberty, IA
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    Have had a Coral banded in with my other shrimp and he has never killed any of my shrimp. They don't seek out other shrimp to eat, but if they get to close i am sure they will eat them. Just keep in mind that if you buy one that they can eat other shrimp, but note that they more then likely will not harm any thing. A flame angel is a nice fish, but have been known to pick at coral. I have a Bicolor and it is just fine in my 75gal. I would say a 40gal tank is going to work with what you have picked out just fine,but Just note that it will be a trial by fire weather something will or will not work in your tank. Go to http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=497 this site helps me out a lot.
     
  8. May 27, 2012 #8
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

    6,044
    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
    +738 / 5 / -0
    Depending on your budget a 40 breeder might be a tank to look for. They can be picked up for cheap during petcos $1/gal sale. The dimensions on them are nice. Drill it for an overflow, add a nice stand and canopy and you'd have a pretty nice little setup going. Pick up a 10gal or something also and DIY the sump.
    Good luck with the build.
     

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