Air Bubbles

[purpletanger]

Just so I know, I dont think you need it but I'm checking anyway's...

With the powrheads once there going, you dont want the tiny bubbles or you do? Im guessing you dont but I"ll wait for someone who knows what there doing to answer it. In a FW tank you need them for your fish. Just thought I would cover all the bases. Thanks, you guys have really helped out alot. For a 45 gallon tank or it might be 55g, what size of protein skimmers, heaters, powerheads, would you use?? Also with live rock, uncured is cheaper and you put it in when starting your cycle right? Cured, you add after cycle?? Just clarifying everything.
Last one, Im in Canada, so what are god places to purchase live rock and etc etc.... Better to buy online than lfs? Reason I ask is I live 20min awy from Big Al's. If someone could also price out skimmer and heater (so I know IM not getting ripped off) THANKS ALOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[purpletanger]

Also Hydrometer? A couple ideas and price point wise? and a Test Kit again types, ideas, prices...Thanks So Much!!!!!!!!!!!
and the last is lighting....I have a tank thats 2 feet deep and 2 feet long. What would be the best lighting for it!!!


Also Im planning on small fish with live rock so I can put starfish and etc etc....

[mogurnda]

Glad to hear lots of questions before you start out. Enjoy!
Here goes:
Bubbles: Bad, cause salt creep. Avoid them.
Skimmer: if you are going with a HOB model, the AquaC Remora pro is a very good option.
Heater: 200W, I like Ebo-Jagers a lot
Powerheads: I like Hagen 301 and 401 (or is it 302 and 402?), and would get enough to circulate the tank about 10-20 times/hr. Aim them at each other to generate turbulence. I always push for a closed loop system, because it gets the powerheads (and heat and clutter) out of the tank, but powerheads are simpler in the short run.
Live Rock: if you are cycling, uncured is the way to go. Online will generally give you better choices and lower prices. I don't know who ships to Canada, though.
Test kits: You will want NH3, NO2 for the cycle. You will also want to keep an eye on NO3, pH and alkalinity. If you're not keeping corals, then you don't need to worry about calcium. I like Salifert a lot. I also like Seachem, which you can find at Big Al's (http://www.bigalsonline.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi?inUID=1067006759.1067006759&inCatID=29:Test%20Kits&inSub=198).
Lighting: No corals? Then go with whatever looks good to you. The fish (and starfish) don't care.
Hydrometer: I use a cheap swinging arm hydrometer for the daily stuff, and calibrate it with a refractometer (http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PA&Product_Code=REFRACT-PA&Category_Code=Hydrometer) to be sure I really know what my specific gravity is.