new tank(parts questions)

pupnsuds211

k.. so my new 100 gal tank comes in next thursday. can anyone reccomend a good protein skimmer? ive read reviews on all the ones i could find, from super cheap to super expensive. any input as to which ones are the best?

salt... the lfs suggested oceanic or instant ocean... i plan on using actual ocean water from a local marine biology school(its free... ahh the benefits of living next to the ocean!) for my water changes, but the initial set up i wanted to use salt. is this a bad idea? good idea?

also, how strong of a power head do i need for a 100 gal? the guy im dealing with said that ill need "a couple" of power heads, but thats about as specific as he got... im sure hell be more detailed when i go to pick everything up in the next few weeks, but id like to have an idea.

anddddd.....

as far as LR goes, whats the difference between the 4.99 stuff and the 9.99 stuff? i REALLY dont want to spend almost 2g's on rocks if i dont have to....


i think thats all for now..

thanks everyone!

Nereaga

It depends on which kind of skimmer you want. Are you looking for a hang on the back model? or a in sump model?
Both vary in prices. For a skimmer and this hobby it is a "you get what you pay for". Cheaper is not always better.
For a hob model, I have heard good things about the Aqua C Remoras and the CPR Bakpak's. You would need to use 2 of these with that big of a tank.

For an in-sump model I have heard good things about the ASM line of skimmers, aswell as the Aqua C line too.

As for salt, I have used instant ocean with no problem now. Its cheap and my tankmates seem to like it. More of a preference I guess.

As for water movement with the powerheads, you can never have enough water moving. Hagen aquaclear and maxi-jets seem to be popular and easy to clean. I would say you would want about 400-500 gph moving around, thats a min. Could always go bigger.

There are many things that may vary the price of rock. Density and surface area are big things. The best rock I have come across is Pukani. Most of my critters like those rocks as opposed to my fiji rock. It all will do its job when cured. Get a mixture of different kinds and see what you like. I saw some LR online on Ebay for about 2.25 per pound. I would like to see what I am buying though, so I luckily have a lfs that has all different kinds available anytime. LR was one of the more expensive additions to a sw tank.
You could get some "base rock", that will eveantually become live over time. More cost effecient.

CMG

I havent started my sw tank yet but I would like to add that if you go to a local online site for your area you may be able to find sw hobbiest's selling LR that they "grow" for $2-$3 per lbs. Or you can look on craigs list too. I was offered live rock from 2 people last week (the guy I bought my tank from and the guy I bought my stand from) for $3 a pound. I may take up their offer after I go to the lfs and check out theirs first. Hope that helps.

pupnsuds211

ahhh you all are so awesome! what would i do without you?!

grazie molto!