marine newbie questions

[dmopar74]

i will be setting up a 38g sw tank. i was thinking about having 2" of sand, maybe 20-30 lbs. of dry rock, and 8-10lbs. of live rock. i also plan on having a protein skimmer rated for a 100g or so tank. i am a fw guy so i am having a hard time not putting a filter on the tank, but after reading the site a bit it seems they arent needed, which means i have more money for rock! am i on the right track? also my current light is only a 24" flourescent, can i just buy a marine bulb for my current fixture, of will the rock require more light? thanks

 

[dmopar74]

bumpety bump bump:rollface:

 

[xxpipedreamxx]

Do you plan on keeping any corals? If so, that light will not suffice. I have a 29 gallon with two 65 watt pc's and 150 watt halide. I still do not have the light needed for a few things I am dieing to keep. Just my two cents. I also have 70 pounds of rock in my tank. I did have 100 pounds of rock in it. May be overkill, but my parameters are in perfect check and I have a wonderful amount of rock for all of my frags to reside on. I just switched to a barebottom tank. All of my sand is now in my fuge. I do not run a filter either unless I am blowing detritus around with a powerhead for a water change.

Well it is 4 am here and I can not think any more. LOL.

 

[dmopar74]

no corals just rock.

 

[xxpipedreamxx]

You plan on keeping a FOWLR? No corals ever?

 

[bertoni]

That lighting is fine for fish and live rock. Just pick a bulb that looks good to your eyes.

 

[dmopar74]

yeah later on but this is my first sw tank and i am tryin to keep it somewhat cheap as it is only 38g. when i get the hang of things i will get a 150g plus then have some real fun.

 

[xxpipedreamxx]

Sounds like a plan. As Bertoni Said, just pick a bulb that looks good to you.