I have decided to setup a marine tank. I keep African cichlids but I am quite tired of trying to find good bloodlines. Yes, there are some very good lines here but compared to the variety overseas, NZ is just too limiting and what people claim can be a quite interesting as well. Even when good bloodlines make it into the country, trying to locate them is :an!gry, if you are not lucky or quick enough to get them. For me a prime example is, I have spent 5 months trying to hunt out some Neolamprologus ocellatus, and the only ones I have found are at a pet store for $60 each. To get a breeding pair I would have to spend in the region of $300-600 dallors. To be honest I would rather setup a marine tank, if I am going to spend that type of money on a fish two years ago which was $20 each or fry sold on here for $5. Rant over!
I am going to get a 600 litre tank (1200x700x700) and a 200 litre sump (900x600x400) built. I am looking at a Deltec SC 1455 Internal protein skimmer. Deltec say that it is suitable for a tank up to 1000 litres.
I am at going down the path of a coral reef tank with the odd fish and quite a few inverts for a year or two. Once I am feel I am ready, I will look at getting seahorses, this is the ultimate goal. Yes, I realise I am going to have to be very careful about what corals to select and what inverts as well. I have heard of crabs eating seahorses
I know that deltec skimmers are a very well regarded brand. I don't want to have to upgrade to another skimmer when I decide to get the seahorses. Would the SC1455 be suitable for what I am planning in the long run or should I look at getting the next size up?
What type of lighting unit do peopple recommend for a 700mm deep tank? I would like to use either T5HO or LEDS. Within reason, price is not a problem. I will just have to save up my pennys, just means It will delay getting the tank setup.
I live in Wellington. Where is the best place to obtain live rock from in the wellington region? What do people recommend as a good substrate for a coral reef tank, ? I realise this will probably be a personal preference thing but if people have a really good reason to go for a particular substrate I would like to know their reasoning.
Thanks
Malcolm