Hey Frank,
Is your setup going to be Fish Only, Fish Only with Live Rock (FOWLR), or Reef?
Regarding clown fish, I know certain clowns don't do well being in the same tank. Tank bred have no problems, but sometimes tank bred clowns don't know what to do with an anemone.
What have you planned so far?
Some basic requirements...
1. R/O (Reverse Osmosis) water - If you use tap (your regular faucet), you could introduce nitrates and/or phosphates, which will cause problems with algae, therefore, R/O is used, which is like super filtered water.
2. Filter - Wet/Dry trickle filter with sump is typically used. Typically, you can use a large rubber tub, filled with water and place LR (Live Rock) in there for the sump. You can use another tub for a wet/dry filter. OR you can use one large tub, with several sections. Wet/Dry (trickle) filter is a type of filter that water from the tank falls through (trickles) through the media.
3. Skimmer - Removes proteins in water
4. Pumps/powerheads - You don't want any dead spots. Pump is an equipment pumps the water. Powerhead is an equipment that forces wate through for increased water current, which can also be used as a pump, but the motors are usually not as strong to carry the water past a certain height.
5. Large water storage container. Normally used to pre-mix R/O water and salt to be used for water changes or top-offs (just fill enough water so the tank is full).
6. Lights - Anemones require high lighting (CF or Compact Fluorescents with actinic bulbs or halides), I believe about 5 watts per gallon. Since you have a 50 gallon tank, you will probably need to buy lights that produce 250 watts (50 gallon tank * 5 watts per gallon requirement = 250 watts lighting system)
7. Chiller? - With a 50 gallon tank and high wattage lights and equipment, there may be a problem with excessive heat, therefore, a chiller will be required. DIY chillers or small fans will typically work on smaller tanks, on a 50 gallon tank or higher, using DIY (Do It Yourself) chillers or fans, the temp decrease will probably be minimal, which is why chillers are needed.
8. Heater? - Depending how cold it gets at night, you may need to get a heater to keep the temps from fluctuating too low.
9. Hydrometer - Used to measure the amount of salinity when mixing salt
10. Thermometer
LR or Live Rock is a term used for rocks, typically found in salt water, that contain little bugs/critters that help filter out particulates in the water to aid in filtration.
LS or Live Sand is sand containing little bugs/critters that help filter out particulates in the water to aid in filtration.
Is your setup going to be Fish Only, Fish Only with Live Rock (FOWLR), or Reef?
Regarding clown fish, I know certain clowns don't do well being in the same tank. Tank bred have no problems, but sometimes tank bred clowns don't know what to do with an anemone.
What have you planned so far?
Some basic requirements...
1. R/O (Reverse Osmosis) water - If you use tap (your regular faucet), you could introduce nitrates and/or phosphates, which will cause problems with algae, therefore, R/O is used, which is like super filtered water.
2. Filter - Wet/Dry trickle filter with sump is typically used. Typically, you can use a large rubber tub, filled with water and place LR (Live Rock) in there for the sump. You can use another tub for a wet/dry filter. OR you can use one large tub, with several sections. Wet/Dry (trickle) filter is a type of filter that water from the tank falls through (trickles) through the media.
3. Skimmer - Removes proteins in water
4. Pumps/powerheads - You don't want any dead spots. Pump is an equipment pumps the water. Powerhead is an equipment that forces wate through for increased water current, which can also be used as a pump, but the motors are usually not as strong to carry the water past a certain height.
5. Large water storage container. Normally used to pre-mix R/O water and salt to be used for water changes or top-offs (just fill enough water so the tank is full).
6. Lights - Anemones require high lighting (CF or Compact Fluorescents with actinic bulbs or halides), I believe about 5 watts per gallon. Since you have a 50 gallon tank, you will probably need to buy lights that produce 250 watts (50 gallon tank * 5 watts per gallon requirement = 250 watts lighting system)
7. Chiller? - With a 50 gallon tank and high wattage lights and equipment, there may be a problem with excessive heat, therefore, a chiller will be required. DIY chillers or small fans will typically work on smaller tanks, on a 50 gallon tank or higher, using DIY (Do It Yourself) chillers or fans, the temp decrease will probably be minimal, which is why chillers are needed.
8. Heater? - Depending how cold it gets at night, you may need to get a heater to keep the temps from fluctuating too low.
9. Hydrometer - Used to measure the amount of salinity when mixing salt
10. Thermometer
LR or Live Rock is a term used for rocks, typically found in salt water, that contain little bugs/critters that help filter out particulates in the water to aid in filtration.
LS or Live Sand is sand containing little bugs/critters that help filter out particulates in the water to aid in filtration.
