Am I still confused?

[klongo]

Hello everyone,

I've been avidly reading for a few days now and I think I've unconfused myself some, but just to be sure...

I have a 33 gallon hex that I want to start up as a SW fish only tank and need to make sure that I'm clear on everything that I need to buy and do, so PLEASE could someone let me know if I'm on the right track?

Here's my shopping list:
protein skimmer
hygrometer
test kits
a new thermometer (can't find mine)
salt mix
50 pounds of sand from Home Depot
12 pounds of live sand (from where I don't know)
live rock (HOW MUCH?!)


Now a few specific questions - I've been to the sites recommended by a bunch of you for LR and LS. Most of them sell kits that include snails, crabs, etc. Do I need these or just want them? Do I need more than a fluorescent light if I want these critters? And, do they take away from the fish count of my tank?

I found a product called CaribSea Look Alive Reef Rock - Is this something that I can use so that I don't need to fill my tank with expensive LR? just add some LR to it? How do I decide how much rock to purchase (I have no idea what a40# of rock will look like!)

Thanks -

Kathy

[OrionGirl]

Lights are fine until you want photosythetic critters--corals will need much more light than fluorescents provide.

Crabs, snails and such are fine. Have the tank cycled before you add them, but they don't have specific lighting needs.

For rock--live rock is not just decorative. It is your filtration. You'll want 1.5-2 pounds per gallon, minimum. More is better. But, you don't have to buy all live rock--that total is what you want for the fully stocked tank. You can do the same thing with rock as you can with sand--split it with tufa, or other porous rock. It will slowly become colonized with the other, decorative life, like coralline algae and sponges. I'm not sure about the look-alike product--if it's plastic, it will not work. If it's porous rock, go for it.

One minor thing, maybe just a typo--but the product is a hyDrometer. Not sure what a hyGrometer is, but I doubt it will help in a SW tank. For a thermometer, I would recommend getting a good digital one--much easier to see and use!

GL

[klongo]

Thanks - Definitely a typo - hydrometer is what I want!

Also, the look alike is not plastic, it appears to be real rock, just not exhorbitantly priced (at least for my Christmas present budget).

What's the minimum amount of LR that I would want in a 33 gallon tank? 10-20% like my LS? or is it just a budget thing - as much as I can afford?

[mogurnda]

Get as much, and as high quality, live rock as you can afford. As OrionGirl said, it's your filter. I'd push for at least 50%, more if possible.

Just FYI, a hygrometer measures relative humidity. But speaking of hydrometers, it's a good idea to calibrate yours with a refractometer. Your LFS should be able to do so. The inexpensive ones are usually off, sometimes significantly, so it's good to know by how much.