some new aquarist questions here

[swifter]

Hello everyone,

I got into marine aquariums last Christmas and have fallen in love with them. along with the excessive amount of money that goes into this hobby I have realized it is a challenge and it is very fulfilling. that being said, I am trying to move forward with my first tank after some education.

I know that I need to add a protein skimmer to my system but I don't have room for a Sump under my stand so I am stuck looking for something to hang on the back. after reading some of the posts here I have come to be concerned about water spilling over the protein skimmer. is there a type or model of protein skimmer that reduces the chance of this happening? also, what maintenance comes with a protein skimmer? (how frequently I need to empty it out, etc,...

I am also interested in adding some corals to my tank at some point and I have been told that Mushrooms are fairly easy to establish in the tank (currently is FOWLR). My question is what types of mushrooms are attractive looking and hardy? also, what additional maintenance is required with mushrooms?

The last question I have is; Do any of y'all have experience with Coral Inserts? I like the idea of how they look and not having to worry about the health of reef invertebrates but I don't know about how they work or if they are a suitable replacement for live rock.

If you have any recommendations for the tank please let me know. My tank is listed below.

thanks for the advise.
My tank:
60 Gallons FOWLR
70-80 LBS of Live rock and a fair amount of Live Sand
50/50 Actinic lights
Cascade 300 Waterfall Filter
Fluval 305 Cannister Filter
Power Head (i forget which model)

Juvenile Orange Shoulder Tang
Juvenile Koran Angel
2 Standard Clown Fish
2 Blue Green Chromis
Chocolate Chip Star Fish
a hand full of Turbo Snails / Hermit Crabs

 

[NanaReefer]

For a HOB skimmer, I'd go with the Reef Octopus BH-1000 (google it)

Chocolate chip stars are NOT reef safe
You may want to consider re-homing the Orange shoulder Tang as they get pretty big. To big for a 60g anyways

 

[user 26995]

Yeah, you will eventually want to re-home both the tang and the and the angel. The angel especially. Tank recommendation is 250 gal.
But for the meantime, they are probably okay...your thinking about keeping corals. Besides the starfish, the angelfish is not reef safe either. They nip at stoney corals and soft corals and clam mantels. Some angelfish, however, have been kept with coral and clams with no problems. There are a few species that are to a point reef safe. The Koran however I don't believe is one of them.
There is no reason you cant try some coral though. There are many many many different mushrooms. All of which you could keep in your current system. Start with a couple and see how the angel does. It may not bother them at all. If you would like, I have a small hairy green/purple mushroom you can try out.

 

[swifter]

thanks for the great advice. as for the angel and the tang, we will be getting a tank over 200 gal roughly a year and a half from now. (i'll be hunting through here to find a set up with stand/lighting/and sump).

I was a bit worried about the star fish because he has taken a liking to "sucking" on our snails. but if giving him a new home is needed it doesn't hurt to much.

as for the green purple mushroom, I would gladly take you up on that. I think it would be great to try them out and see how everything works together in the tank.

when my fiance and I get some free time I'll send you a message to try and meet up. we live in Edmonds so the ferry is not too far from us.

thanks!

 

[user 26995]

OH, YIPPEE another big tank build.
Craigs list may be a better place to find one, but you never know. There have been some nice big systems in our classifieds.

I am also only 18 minutes from the ferry, so it wouldn't be too long of a trip for you. Would be happy to have you over.

 

[pandora32]

I was talking with the owner of my lfs. He has a lil koran angel. He said its a hit or miss with them when it comes to soft corals like mushrooms and anthelia or zenia. Lps and sps corals are a no no. So it still sits in his store. I cant put it in mine or the wifes tank. You should look at florida ricordias, when you get the fish situation figured out. As for a hob skimmer, cant help you. I was one of the folks that started the hobby wrong and bought a seaclone. Went from that to a sump. Also increased my tank from a 55g to my 215g. Much happier! You will be also! Have fun. Hope this helps.

 

[ReefGeeker]

Kenya Trees are a hardy coral as well. I have an HOB Aqua C Remora Pro skimmer and I like it.

 

[ak_reefer]

What type of lighting are you running T5's? Or just standard fluorescent bulbs? As far as skimmers go I am running a Eshopps psk 75 on my 55 gallon and it works like a champ but everyone has there own opinions but I have not been disappointed with it. I have a mixed softy/lps tank. The one thing to remember as well is to stay on top of your water changes and general husbandry of your tank. There are a lot of different colorful mushrooms, ricordeas, and rhodactis mushrooms to choose from. Also zoas are also hardy softies to take a look at.