New to the forum, new to the reefs...

Thirdly, I'm a patient person and want to do this right.....I'm ready for some feedback. Please be gentle.

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Read.
Read everything you can get your hands on- books, forums, websites. The more time you put into researching this demanding hobby (before you even add water) the better your chances of success.

Moved from Reefs. OG

I would plan on much fewer fish than 5-8. 3, maybe 4, depending on what you get will be a much better goal, and much more sustainable in a reef. Small fish only--avoid predators and tangs, as the 40 will be too small. I would probably go for a single dwarf angel, a pair of basslets, and a smaller goby. The angel will be a slight risk in a reef, but they have great personalities and color.

Also, look at the corals you want before setting up the tank, and make sure that will be enough light. Most 40's are long and tend to be shallow, so the power compacts should be adequate, but you'll need to make sure before purchasing a photosynthetic critter.

Read.

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As Cearbhaill said, you need to read. Get these two books and you will be good to go:

"The Conscientious Marine Aquarist: A Commonsense Handbook for Successful Saltwater Hobbyists" by Robert Fenner

and

"Marine Fishes: 500+ Essential-To-Know Aquarium Species" by Scott Michaels

The first is the saltwater bible, and the second is the fish encyclopedia (pocket sized of course)

Also, heres a list of fish from me, to give you more options:

Pair of Ocellaris Clownfish
2 Pajama Cardinalfish
1 Fire fish *or* 2 Neon Gobies
1 shrimp goby(such as a Hi Fin Red Banded Goby)
1 Tiger Pistol Shrimp - to go with the shrimp goby

With this list, you get a nice variety of fish and they are all beginner fish so they *shouldn't* be too hard to keep. Also since you mentioned something about an anemone; this way if you get one you will already have the clowns in there.
HTH

Would a Fire Fish really be a good idea? Aren't these types of fish agressive, not to mention poisonous?

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I meant a Firefish Goby (Nemateleotris magnifica)


You don't want to sandsift (especially DSBs) because it messes with the anarobic(sp?) pockets and when they burst because you poking at them, they release hydrogen sulfide - (i think it's hydrogen sulfide anyways) - and this basically kills your fish.

I also just read a very interesting article about sand beds and this person does not recommend many (if any I guess) sand sifting life in the tank. Maybe I read that wrong. Opinions?

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This is where more reading comes in.
There are 1000 opinions out there on deep sand beds and the best substrate (if any!) for a reef tank. It would take several days of reading just to decide on this issue alone- deep sand beds can crash and they do need maintenance. They are not for everyone!
In the last year there has been something of a trend away from DSB's and back into sand sifting creatures in a 1-2 inch substrate.
It depends on you.

Then you have sump decisions, circulation decisions, plumbing decisions- all of which are to some extent dependent on your livestock choices.
My lighting decision took me *months* to make. For every product out there you will have those that recommend it and those that say "never"- there is simply lots of information that you need to wade through.

I'll second the recommendation on the Fenner book The Conscientious Marine Aquarist"- it is an excellent overview of the hobby. I also find the Sprung and Delbeek books "The Reef Aquarium volumes 1&2" very informative and readable, but they are pricey- used copies are sometimes on Ebay.

From time to time I read threads by old time reefers listing "things I wish I had known" or "if I had it to do over again" musings.
The common theme is patience in all respects. Patience when beginning your research, patience when setting up, patience when adding stock, and patience as it all comes together. Decisions of great import should not be made on the fly. You have to gather information, absorb it, then let your brain simmer. Then you'll know which path is right for you!

Originally posted by ben72227


I meant a Firefish Goby (Nemateleotris magnifica)


You don't want to sandsift (especially DSBs) because it messes with the anarobic(sp?) pockets and when they burst because you poking at them, they release hydrogen sulfide - (i think it's hydrogen sulfide anyways) - and this basically kills your fish.

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I have to respectfully disagree here. The hydrogen Sulfide wipeing out tanks is pretty much a myth IMO.

As to sand sifters some are good and some are not so good. Need to appraise each on it's own merits.

Ray