My dream tank

[firesurfpunk]

Sooooo I went out and purchased a tank today, a 90g with stand included. Now for the kicker, I really want some lionfish, weather they be dwarf lions, or just one larger lion.
I just wanted to get a basics on the hardware i would need, I am thinking its just about the same set up as i have on my clown fish tank.... but i wanted some input. I will be slowly gathering the things I need.... so if you could throw some ideas my way it would be much appreciated, once i get rolling im fine, its just getting started with supplies i need that gets me a little anxious.
Ill update with pics of the fish here in a few its about to start storming!

as always, the input and suggestions is always appreciated!
amber

[callen]

Sounds exciting!!

I wanted one at one time and when I did research I thought this was one of the best articles out there.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-11/fm/feature/

HIH's

[firesurfpunk]

I actually came across that website myself and book marked it, its been the reason I have actually gone ahead with gettin the tank. I am just going to slowly build up to gettin the stuff together, gathering what I need here and there.... i was bringing the tank in the other day and we ended up having to rearrange the whole living room just to get it to fit together, the oscar tank is in the back of the living room by the back porch, the clowns are in my room so we decided to put the 90g in the front of the living room. We dont have a tv out there so its a good conversation when people come over theyll be able to see it.
Thanks for the link callen (great minds think alike) hope everything is going well over there for you and HD

[ralphie]

Good Luck...

I have never kept lionfish but I think I remember reading that they can tend to be a messy eater so you fitration may need to be more.

[firesurfpunk]

If i get a good clean up system and give them plenty of hiding places i should be alright, even though they will eventually become lionfish food......im looking forward to it though!

[firesurfpunk]

I have figured out what I am doing for the decor on the new tank, but i want to start with the hardware first. What sort of filtration should I get, what type of powerheads I should look into. Are protein skimmers necessary?
I am doing the caribsea tahitian black marine sand, and live rock from a dealer in the keys (short trip down the highway) and I am thinking about corals to add some color to the tank. But i want to make sure I get the right hardware, alot of the forums I have been reading on tell you completely different things, alot of websites add completely opposite. So I trust everyone here enough to add their input, plus i am really still not familiar at all with what i should get for the tank

[firesurfpunk]

from the research so far ive done it looks like with the big tank im going to have, its better for me to have a canister filter.... I found this system for a good price, if I am going in the wrong direction please dont hesitate to help steer me back.


http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+3580+3595&pcatid=3595

[firesurfpunk]

Would two dwarf lions and a snowflake eel be okay in my 90g?
I originally wanted to do a dwarf and a powder blue tang because i absolutely love their colors, but I keep hearing it wouldnt be a good idea since the powder blue needs a minimum of a hundred gallons alone. So i guess im rethinking what tank mates i should get and plan this out, i am still in the process of buying things needed for the tank but should have it up and running within the next week (i love tax returns).... when i order the dry and live rock ill be good to go, i have a friend coming over seeing as how its my first time taking on a tank this big and using protein skimmers, and canister filters and all this fun interesting stuff.
I have pics of everything as i go, ill be posting online soon so you guys can see what the craziness is in my house

[firesurfpunk]

Just figured I would send an update on the tank,
Its been cycling since march 2nd and here is what i am seeing currently

ammonia 0
nitrite 0
hardness 300
chlorine 0
alkalinity 300
pH 7.8
nitrates 0-20 it read between these two so im going to go on a limb and say its reading between 0-20


Should be ordering the live rock for both the 90 and 55 gallon here this weekend

[callen]

Looks good!

Excited??