New Setup help!

[got2lb]

I have a 100 gal. tank that I have been thinking about setting up as a fish only tank for quite some time now. I used to have it setup for freshwater. I had 3 stingrays and about a half dozen discus in it. But unfortunately I had to move the tank about 3 times in a 6 month period and the fish didn't take it very well and I ended up losing all but 2 discus.

Now I want to set it up as a saltwater tank. Right now I have two Marineland Emperor 400 filters on it. I also have a couple of powerheads. I have about 1.5 inches of sandblasting sand as a substrate in the tank right now (the stingrays loved to bury themselves in it). I have a 120 gpd hi-s RO filter for fresh water changes too. I was just wondering if those two filters would be enough filtration or do I need something else to go with it like a protein skimmer or some live rock?

I was also curious about what kind of fish to put in the tank? I REALLY want an emperor angel! I was wondering what I could put in there that would go good with that. Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[MonoSebaelover]

Welcome to Aquaria Central. If you aim to do things like Angels live rock is an absolute must. The more the better for these guys see in the wild they pick on the rock day in and day out. They will pick at all the algaes growing on the rock and some other tiny inverts. So I would say in order to successfully keep an angel in a tank like yours I would add both the skimmer and the rock. I am getting an adult Majestic Angel today and she is going in my 209g tank that has around 220 pounds of live rock, a skimmer, and a wet dry filter and the tank has been going for over 2 years. You will be able to keep an Emperor in there for awhile but not forever since they get 15 inches long. I would say you could do an Imp, a wrasse of some sort, possibly a Butterfly, and maybe a pair of large Clowns. This is just a possible list, the possibilities are endless. Just make sure that the Imp, and any Butterfly or Tang do not go into the tank prior than 6 months because they require very stable and established water conditions. Anyway, hope this helps and good luck.

[got2lb]

Thanks for the info. What about the substrate, will the sandblasting sand be all right? I was also reading somewhere about putting shrimp in it to cycle. Are these just regular grocery store shrimp that you eat? And how many should I put in there to cycle it? I was also thinking about putting a clown trigger in there. Would that be okay or not? Also what is a good brand of skimmer to purchase.

[MonoSebaelover]

The sand should be fine. I would put 10 or so cocktail shrimp in to cycle the tank. I would not add a Clown as many develop a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde personality with some being fine in a tank for months then turning overnight on their tankmates. I'm not exactly sure on the skimmer so someone else will have to answer that for you. Anyway,hope this helps and good luck.

[got2lb]

I was kind of wondering how much live rock I will need in this tank? Do I need it all right away or can I do a little at a time?

Thanks again for all the help!

[MonoSebaelover]

You can do it in chunks but I would start with 50lbs if you can afford it then add on. It is generally advised to have 1-2lbs per gallon. I have that in all my tanks and it works great. Anyway, hope this helps and good luck.

[got2lb]

Just wondering if you could mention a couple of online sites that are known for good live rock. Unfortunately there are no saltwater fish stores around here. There is one that I can probably get fish from if I want. He gets some in every once in a while but thats it. But he doesn't carry live rock.

[K9Decoy]

I guess I'm pretty spoiled here in Ft. Lauderdale cause just about every LFS has TONS of live rock. Anyway, try this link, it looks like they have some really nice live rock. A pretty good variety too.
Drs. Foster & Smith - Live Rock (http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?siteid=24&pCatId=393)
Hope this helps!

[got2lb]

I had actually found that web page already and it looked like the prices were pretty reasonable, I was mainly curious if anyone had actually ordered anything from any of these places and how it turned out. I just want to make sure I'm getting a good product. I'd rather pay a little more now and end up with a much better finished product.

You are a little spoiled! In Iowa the closet thing you come to live rock is Limestone!