Originally Posted by Baseballguy5

Hello!

I have had a 75g freshwater tank for a few years now, and I now want to run a second LARGE saltwater setup.

I am planning on a 90 gallon tank, could go a little larger (up to 125 gallons) if I find a good deal. I plan on buying live sand and live rock. Actually for the rock to save money I am going to convert some dead rock to live rock. I know the basics on this conversion, but I need a few questions answered by the experts here.
Go with the 125g. Its longer and you can enjoy a broader range of fish.

-Do I need to cycle my tank before adding live rock/sand?
No. Put it all in at teh same time

-Will adding live rock and live sand actually cycle my aquarium?
Yes. die off will occur in the Live Rock and grow the benefiaicals.

-When converting dead rock to live rock is there a certain ratio of live to dead rock that is typically used?
Nope. I usually advise 10-20 lbs of LR and the rest Base Rock(dead rock)
-Is this ratio necessary or will it just decrease the time it takes for the conversion to take place?
This conversion takes place of a long period of time, to establish all the rock. Base Rock is much cheaper. Live Rock fully cured will not usually have a cycle in that tank, once set up.

-I read that most people convert their rock in a separate container. Is this necessary or can I convert dead rock to live rock in my actual aquarium?
Put it in the tank. Some "Cure" the LR in a barrel or tub when they are going to add it to an already established tank to keep it form going through another cycle. Fully curing the LR you will likely not see a tank cycle, or a very short one if you do.

Also, while researching, I figured out that the supplies needed for a freshwater tank are SO MUCH different than the supplies needed for a saltwater tank. I know that for a saltwater setup you need a protein skimmer, heater, powerheads, VHO, MH, or PC lighting for live rock/sand, and either a hang-on filter, or a refugium. I also have some questions about these…
You do not need a hong on back filter, or a filter at all. Live Rock, Live Sand and the skimmer do your filtering.

-are there different sizes for protein skimmers? If so what size would I need for a 90 gallon?
The higher you go the better your water quality. Therfore I usually advise twice your water volume, or for a 90, you would need a 180g skimmer. But starting with a 150g skimmer would suffice if using a better brand.

-I also heard that some brands suck for these skimmers, and only a few are worth buying. What are the ones that I should avoid and what are the ones I should buy?
Deltec Skimmers
SWC Skimmers
Reef Octopus Skimmer
These are of the vey best is Skimmers.

Is there a certain rate of circulation per gallon for powerheads? If so, what should I buy for a 90 gallon tank?
A fish only tank would use a 10x the turnover rate, or 900gph in a 90g tank. Reef Tanks usually start at 20x the water rate.

-Can someone explain to me what VHO, MH, and PC lighting are? What do you recommend? Is the fixture the special part or the bulb the special part which makes this type of lighting different from normal lighting?
VHO Fluorescent Lighting - Saltwater Aquarium VHO Fluorescent Lighting - Marine Aquarium VHO Fluorescent Lighting
VHO= Very High Output lighting-http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+10099+3796&pcatid=3796
MH= Metal Halide- Metal Halide Aquarium Lighting: Hamilton Technology Cayman Sun HQI System
Power Compacts-http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=22739
T-5 HO- Aquarium Lighting for Reef Systems: Current Nova Extreme Pro T-5 Fixtures
In a nut shell, its the intensity of the light. LED and Metal Halides give you the most light output for corals. Then VHO, then T-5. But efficiency it goes, LED, T-5, for your money.

Hang-on-filter or refugium?
You could do a Refugium, or not. No Hang on filter.
-I really do want a refugium, but I am afraid I wont have the time to maintain it. How hard is it to care for one? I have a spare 12 gallon tank, could I make a refugium out of that? How do I set it up?
-hang on filters seem so much easier to maintain, and with my live rock and sand working do I really need another heavy-duty filtration system such as a refugium?

Getting ahead of myself, I also made a list of what fish i could potentially stock the tank with. Please let me know what works/ doesn't.

-5 blue green reef chromis

-1-2 Flame angelfish

-5 red firefish

-5 percula clownfish
-What anenomes would be compatible with this clown and its other tank mates?
LTA
BTA
Carpet Anemone
-What is the difference between true percula and false percula?
Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Marine Aquariums: True Percula Clownfish
Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Marine Aquariums: Ocellaris Clownfish
-1 blue tang
Not in a 90g

-2 yellow tangs
Only one in a 90 or a 125g. 2 would kill each other.

-1 serpent starfish

-1 blenny (species suggestions?)

-Small invertebrates/snails cleaning crew. (Any suggestions?)
Marine Invertebrates: Saltwater Invertebrates for the Marine Aquarium
Thanks so much! Just answer whatever you can for me!

Originally Posted by Baseballguy5

48" 260W PL Aquarium Light Reef Marine Fish Tank Hood LED Day Lighting Watt NEW | eBay

Would these lights be etiquette for a reef setup?

Originally Posted by Baseballguy5

Hello!


-Will adding live rock and live sand actually cycle my aquarium?

Originally Posted by Kampjut

Live rock becomes the main biological nitrification base or biological filter of a marine fish tank, while at the same time enhances the look of the aquarium and provides shelter for the inhabitants. I am not so sure about the answers to the other questions tough.. Hope it helps!