Fish only marine setup

[jml]

I'm thinking about setting up a 36" fish only marine aquarium, what kind of equipment should I need and what kind of livestock should I get?

[Slappy*McFish]

I would get about 30lbs of live sand or live rock and a good protein skimmer. A couple of powerheads with sponge prefilters would provide circulation and a little mechanical/bio filtration. Since it's FO, you'll need minimal lighting...I would go with a GE Aquarays Freshwater/Saltwater light(probably comes with the tank anyway)

Livestock possibilities: Ocellaris Clownfish, Percula Clownfish, Royal Gramma, most blennies, Cardinalfish, Blue Chromis, Green Chromis, Yellowtail Damselfish, 4-Stripe Damselfish, Blue Damselfish, mandarinfish, Firefish Goby, Yellowhead Jawfish, Flame Hawkfish.

Keep in mind that Damsels can be quarrelsome, so avoid timid fish if you keep them. Go for fish that don't grow to more than 4" and aren't overly active and require lots of swimming space. Try not to overcrowd the tank and stick to maybe 4-5 fish, tops, and you should do very well.

[wayne]

Any chance of doing a 4 foot tank? The extra foot really opens up a lot more fish options. I don't know if you like tall tanks, but I'd sacrifice a tall tank for the extra foot.
Skimmer , live rock, powerheads , lights..

[jml]

The reason I was going for a 36" was of weight but I've talked with people and they've said weight wont be a problem. So I will go for a 4ft aquarium. However I dont want to spend too much money on livestock and I only really want about 4 fish any suggestions?

I may go for some inverts as well but only a couple any suggestions there?

Thanks everyone.

[RustyRay]

If you add live rock isn't it technically no longer a fish-only system? It's a reef tank?

[BrianH]

No, then it is called a Fish Only With Live Rock(FOWLR). A Reef tank includes corals.

Brian

[wayne]

I'd go for a dwarf angel, a hardy butterfly, a maroon or clarkii clown..... I don't know what you like - it's your tank.
Bear in mind all the above fish do better in FOWLR tanks, and that will be much, much easier for you to run. Mucking arounf without live rock is just too hard for me, and too unstable and cranky. If you're tight you can either buy online (risky if you're inecperienced) or you can buy a small amount to seed either cheaper base rock or home mafe 'aragocrete' - see garf.com. If you do the latter though be aware you will have to be very patient (up to 6 months to finish stocking)
MAybe the first thing you should get is Mike Palettas New marine aquarium and Robert Fenners Concientious MArine Aquarium