Ok, I'm really liking these SW tanks

It looks like you are going about this the right way. Learn from the rest of us who made many mistakes before we found a site like this.

When you get started with all this you should start a blog and keep some sort of tank log. They seem popular and it's fun to watch the progress.

About your choices I like almost all of them, with the exception of the Coral Banded Shrimp. I had one that recently ate one of my neon gobies. Actually say it catch the fish and have lunch, might have been brunch. I also believe they do not like other smaller shrimp around. I like the look of them but I will be staying away from them but that is just my oppinion.

BTW...my colour would be blue
 
I don't know if this is what you mean... but FO is fish only and FOWLR is Fish only with live rock... if that's what you meant of course! Just so that you know what kind of lighting and other stuff that you need otherwise the things you buy that aren't good enough will all have to be replaced and it will get even more expensive! Do if you're looking to get corals and whatnot just go with the best lights you can now instead of upgrading again a year from now!
You're on the right track though just keep reading!

This bears repeating.. Don't try to go cheap! And always research every purchase before you spend money.. Yes it will cost more the begin with, but believe me, you will end up throwing out the crappy "cheap" product and spending more money on the right thing..

Don't lie to yourself. You know that the 200 dollar skimmer is better then that 100 dollar one.. Get the 200 dollar one!

:)
 
It looks like you are going about this the right way. Learn from the rest of us who made many mistakes before we found a site like this.

When you get started with all this you should start a blog and keep some sort of tank log. They seem popular and it's fun to watch the progress.

About your choices I like almost all of them, with the exception of the Coral Banded Shrimp. I had one that recently ate one of my neon gobies. Actually say it catch the fish and have lunch, might have been brunch. I also believe they do not like other smaller shrimp around. I like the look of them but I will be staying away from them but that is just my oppinion.

BTW...my colour would be blue
I did read they (the banded shrimp) didn't like others of their kind, I was a little leery of them myself when thinking of what I'd want. I will look into others then. Maybe I should stick to 1 type of shrimp for now.
Thanks!!
BTW-blue is a nice color also:)
This bears repeating.. Don't try to go cheap! And always research every purchase before you spend money.. Yes it will cost more the begin with, but believe me, you will end up throwing out the crappy "cheap" product and spending more money on the right thing..

Don't lie to yourself. You know that the 200 dollar skimmer is better then that 100 dollar one.. Get the 200 dollar one!

:)
This is why it will be a while before I really get it started. I know it's not cheap and it will take me a while to get every thing for it. I want to find out what would be the best for my buck, then look around at good deals, sales, ebay...ect to find the best for less that I can! I have learned that from my FW tanks, yes they say "just as good as" but really NO they are not...I went through 2 filters for my original 55 before I broke down and realized I had just spent more than if I would of just got the better one in the first place!
 
This is why it will be a while before I really get it started. I know it's not cheap and it will take me a while to get every thing for it. I want to find out what would be the best for my buck, then look around at good deals, sales, ebay...ect to find the best for less that I can! I have learned that from my FW tanks, yes they say "just as good as" but really NO they are not...I went through 2 filters for my original 55 before I broke down and realized I had just spent more than if I would of just got the better one in the first place!

There is a planning method you can do to move everything along a bit faster. At the moment I would just get the basic things you would need to start a cycle going. While the tank is cycling you can save up for your other equipment. For example, you don't need the skimmer and lighting right away (both can be very pricey). You can also add more power heads as you move along. Then only thing I would recommend getting right away with the other start up equipment is the live rock. That way you won't chance a mini cycle once you add the live rock.

I am not trying to encourage rushing (in terms of adding livestock). I just found this method allowed me to enjoy my tank more.
 
There is a planning method you can do to move everything along a bit faster. At the moment I would just get the basic things you would need to start a cycle going. While the tank is cycling you can save up for your other equipment. For example, you don't need the skimmer and lighting right away (both can be very pricey). You can also add more power heads as you move along. Then only thing I would recommend getting right away with the other start up equipment is the live rock. That way you won't chance a mini cycle once you add the live rock.

I am not trying to encourage rushing (in terms of adding livestock). I just found this method allowed me to enjoy my tank more.

That is pretty much what I was thinking. I would start with finding and buying the basics.

Now saltwater tanks don't have a filter..like a hob or a canister right, the refugiums would be the filter. Right?

So I would need my substrate, the refugium and what else to get the cycle going??
 
OK, looking at power heads. What would you guys suggest? Here is a page I was looking at.

http://www.aquariumguys.com/powerheads.html

Something like the Customflo Water System Kit or more like the Aqua Clear Power Head Model 110 (Old 901) (Hagen), or something else altogether???

Again, I'm not really looking to buy from this company, just trying to get an idea of what I'm looking for, then I'll be making a trip to the closest LFS (about an hour away) to see what they have and looking on ebay and such.

Thanks, guys/gals!
 
That is pretty much what I was thinking. I would start with finding and buying the basics.

Now saltwater tanks don't have a filter..like a hob or a canister right, the refugiums would be the filter. Right?

So I would need my substrate, the refugium and what else to get the cycle going??

Yes the fuge, live rock and the sand bed would be your filter. You would need a heater and your power heads and the live rock plus the fuge (IMO) to get the cycle going. I feel that if you can let the tank go for a couple of months that would be great but it doesnt tanks dont need to go that long
 
Cool, thanks Archer!!

So I know what I will be looking for as far as Power heads. Moving on to look at the fuge and substrate.

I've read on a few sites ppl will use just a 10g tank for the fuge, this doesn't really sound right to me?

Also would it be easier, cheaper, worth it, to try and DIY my fuge???
 
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