Breed Clownfish | Saltwater Fish

[Combatants]

Hello, I'm new to the forum and i currently have a tropical 4" tank and I'm looking at converting it to Marine with Clowns. I've read alot of information about it and the pros and cons of things, but i was just wondering what you all use in your tanks, i was looking at using

4 Foot Tank (250L-65 gal)
Fluval 305 canister filter
Live Rock (30kg - 65pound, Keeping a 1pd to 1gl ratio is the best)
Several powerheads for water circulation
a protein skimmer (unsure on size)
300w Heater
4 foot double Florescent Light with proper marine globes

I'm wanting to keep Clown fish and anemones, is there any recommendations you would make?
thanks, Ben

[davek0819]

I have a 75 gallon tank, aquafuge HOT refugium w/chaetomorpha algae, HOT aqua remora protein skimmer, 3 Maxi-jet 1200 powerheads for circulation, heater for size of tank (i forget wattage), an old penguin hang-on to add carbon, (2) 65 watt pc bulbs, about 90 lbs of live rock, and live sand. I bought a larger pump to eliminate the power heads for circulation that I want to hook up to a pvc loop around the top of the tank. (When I can get to it.)

I didn't get a pre-drilled tank, cost, and I was hesitant to go the siphon route to a sump is the reason for the Hang-on stuff. I heard good and bad about the fluval, the bad mostly that you need to keep up changing out your median, and it could be a pain to get into, the reason why I go with the penguin to add carbon and I do either a 4 or 8 gallon water change every week.

The lighting has to do alot with the aneomes and other inverts you want to keep, the clowns will be fine with anything. Many recommend going with a coral instead of the aneome, easier to keep. You'll have to find out what will work best with the type of clown you plan on getting. I went the clark clown because their easier to keep and they're on the larger side. I don't have a aneome. My lighting is on the low side so I don't purchase anything that requires alot of light. I'm looking into the T-5 lights at the moment to increase my light and reduce the bulb replacement cost. Water circulation, water changes and protein skimming are very important. I would suggest reading as much as you could and determine what might work best for you.

Important tip I discovered - Before filling your tank with water, pick up a tube of aquarium caulking and run a bead of caulk under the top of the tank on the inside. This will eliminate salt creep on the sides of your tank underneath the top lip. I also painted the outside of the back of the tank a dark blue to hide alot of the wires and hang-on stuff.

[davek0819]

some links and information

www.wetwebmedia.com, is a website started by Bob Fenner, under the marine section there should be articles on setups. You can always submit your setup as a question and you should get a response. You first need to determine what you want in your tank.

www.reefcentral.com, I like to check out the tank of the month and read about the setups, the tanks are beautiful, but they usually far exceed my budget, space. But it helps to see what works.

www.garf.org, I discovered this site and dose my seachem chemicals in my own variation of their sugguestion. They do have a bullet proof reef section that talks about the set up and lighting they recommend per tank size. You have to judge what they say and determine what would work best for you.

The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Robert Fenner, Great book to read about starting out, setting up a tank using live rock, etc... I would suggest purchasing it, Christmas gift?

Book of coral propagation by Anthony Calfo, Great book about coral needs etc.

Reef Invertibrates - Fenner and Calfo - Great book about inverts

Clownfishes by Joyce Wilkerson, general tank info, great info on the different types of clown, Anenomes / Coral section about what will work best with the different types of clown. Another Christmas gift?