New 30something Marine Fish Only... need advice

[DragonsRus]

Hi, all, this is my first time posting on this site. I've had a cichlid tank for some time now and have had great success with it. I've been doing research for the last few months on marine aquariums and I plan to set one up at the end of august when I move into my new apt.

I have a couple of options:
There is a 29gallon marineland setup that comes with the Eclipse sys 3 hood and other sw accessories (heater, hydrometer, test kit, instant ocean) for $200. Is it worth it?
I plan to have at least some live rock in the system to start with... I'm patient enough to let the base rock seed. Will the bio-wheel and the live rock work with or against each other? I have looked closely at the hood and (with a little creative cutting) would be able to put a seaclone 100 skimmer in the back all the way to one side. (Is this skimmer good enough?) The filter in the hood does 250gph.

If I don't do that kit, There is a 37gallon black seal tank I can get for $62. (same footprint as 29g) I know that long tanks are better than tall, but I don't have that much space. Which size is better? If I got this tank I'd have to buy all of the extras and I think the lighting would put me over the $200 mark. Any suggestions? Any ideas on where I can get a really good deal on a tank or kit?

Unfortunately I'm a college student so money is slim.... I'd like to spend $500 or less at the startup.

Ultimately I plan to get part live sand and part not, and base rock and a couple pieces of premium live rock. My fish of choice is a Dragon wrasse and I know it will need a bigger tank eventually (I plan to have more money by that time.) Does anyone know how fast they grow? I don't want to over stock. I was thinking a dwarf angel or a humu humu trigger. Though does anyone know anything about dragon morays?

As for the stand I'll build one (I have access to a shop).

Really, any advice I can get would be appreciated. And yes, I do own The Conscientious Marine Aquarist and The New Marine Aquarium.

Thanks for listening to all of my questions!

 

[ben72227]

Dragon Wrasse (Novaculichthys taeniourus) need to be in large tanks, at least 75g IMO. they're beautiful fish, but they need lots of room.

Dragon Morays (Enchelycore pardalis) are very scary looking IMO and they need also IMO at least 55g tank to swim in.

Humuhumu Triggerfish/Picasso Triggerfish (Rhinecanthus aculeatus) also need IMO a 55g tank.

As for dwarf angels, they would work okay in a 30g. You might want to look into a Coral Beauty (Centropyge bispinosa) as they seem to be one of the more popular dwarf angels.

Personally, i think you should go with something easy to start out with. A blenny or an clownfish. Maybe a damsel. But its up to you.

 

[DragonsRus]

I know Dragon wrasses get pretty big, but would it be ok to keep a juvenile in a 37g for a year or so until I was able to get a bigger tank? Does anyone know how fast they grow?

 

[wayne]

I usually find bigger fish grow like fury in the first year, an inch a month is pretty normal for big freshwater fish.
Tank, skimmer , powerheads, live rock heater, lights to choice, salt test kits , hydrometer.

I know I could build the FO for much less than 500, and you can too. What lights you thinking?

 

[DragonsRus]

As for lighting I was planning on some frankenstein creation of NO flourescents from Home Depot or Lowes. I've got to wait on money to buy better stuff... like when I'm able to afford a bigger tank.

My cichlids never grew (and are still not growing) that fast, but thanks for the advice. I think I'll post another strand on growth rates.

I want to get a 37g because of limited space and funds and anything bigger won't really fit in my vehicle.