Thanks for the help MAXX! You were of great help. I am planning on keeping mostly LPS, inverts, and a few fish. Probably gonna add some SPS but that won't be happening until later down the road as I'm a college student on a BUDGET and can't afford a calcium reactor! As for the macros I chose them thinking it would be better to have a variety of plant life for nutrient export but if it's not gonna make a difference then I will save the $ and stick to the chaeto that I already have and pick up some feather caulerpa from the local zoo where I can get some FREE! The mineral mud I only bought because the guy at the fish store recommended that I buy it and that it was "better" than having live sand in my fuge? He told me that I should put about an inch on the bottom of the fuge and then 4 inches of live sand over it? Oh I also picked out a "cleaner crew" but have not yet ordered it. Could you possibly tell me if you think this will be sufficient or overkill for a 75g? Is there anything else that you would recommend adding?
25 turbo snails
20 astrea snails
50 dwarf cerith snails
30 nassarius vibex snails
75 blue legged hermit crab
4 emerald green crabs
10 peppermint shrimp
4 limpets
30 dwarf planaxis
lettuce nudibranch
fuzzy chiton
Okay, best bet is to plan your system around the critters you want to keep.
What kind of fish do want to keep? Some fish are really pretty, really personable, and realllllllllly not reef safe. Most LPS are fleshy and invite nibbling by certain fish.
I can also tell you that I tried for a few years to keep corals without a calcium reactor, and really didnt have much luck until I got one. This doesnt mean you wont be able to, just that I had a hard time with my schedule and time available to maintain levels properly. You might try and keep your eyes open for a used calcium reactor setup....you can sometimes find them fairly cheaply.
Other thoughts in no particular order...
Everytime I set up a reef tank, I learn something new. Each tank is an evolution from the one before it. Some things almost have to be learned by doing. I suspect you will end up the same way. With that in mind I would suggest you do as much research as possible prior to spending any money. It will save you money in the long run.
For example, your purchase of the 400 w MH's. In a standard 75 gallon tank, (48Lx24Wx18H), you can use 250 watt MH's and still keep the most light demanding SPS in your system. With the new reflectors out, (LumenBright specifically), you could have 175 watt MH's over your tank, and still keep everything you want......and save money on energy costs and bulb replacement costs.
A great book to read is
The Reef Aquarium: Science, Art, and Technology, Vol. 3 by Delbeek and Sprung. It is full of all sorts of information which will help you plan your tank out.
Another way to save money for your first system is to buy dry base rock instead of live rock. Do your aquascaping with the base rock, and then buy one or two live rocks that you like. This will "seed" your tank and the base rock is significantly less expensive than the live rock. It also has the advantage of being pest free. Try Marco Rocks for base rock.
Regarding your clean up crew.....buy it when you need it, not before. Too soon and they'll starve and most wont survive the cycle anyway.
Out of your entire clean up crew list, I wouldnt buy anything more than the snails, and then only when you have enough algae to warrant their purchase. Anything else intially, IMO, IME, is just a waste of money. BTW, that clean up crew is about 3x what you would need in a 75 gallon tank.
I would go with:
5 turbo snails
10 astrea snails
20 dwarf cerith snails
30 nassarius vibex snails
4-5 Hermit crabs
Keep in mind the hermits are going to kill your snails as soon as they need shells for homes or food. I dont have any hermits in my system.
Nick
