I have been researching for quite a while now and I believe I am finally ready to get the tank up and running, however I have a few final q's. The first is what RO/Di setup do you recommend I will have a 75g display with 50-75g of additional sump/fuge. The second question is how far ahead to plan I know what equipment I want to begin with how much rock I will start with etc. and know the first few inhabitants both fish and inverts (I figure this will take care of the first 12 to 18 months) do I really need to plan beyond this or can I let the tank and my interests lead me from that point. I would like to thank everyone in advance for all of the wonderful information I have received here and look forward to sharing my setup for a long time to come.

I'd look for somthing with a 100 GPD output, or you'll be waiting forever anytime you want to make water. Maybe consider a pressure booster pump as well. Great deals can be had on both on eBay. The actual internal filters are only made by a few different companies, people just slap their names on the filter housings.

It's probably not necessary to plan every little thing until the end of time, but it's a good idea to try to plan out the fish if you can. There may be an optimal stocking order for the fish you want to keep, and that's something you'd want to know in advance.

I agree with Phurst. Do a search on ebay for Aquasafe Systems. You should find a 5 stage 100gpd RO/DI for around $140 shipped. I use their system and have recommended it many times. Haven't heard any complaints.

Dick

Check out Melevsreef.com - Welcome! (http://www.melevsreef.com) for RO/DI units I just got one from him and I think its the best bang for the buck. plus he's a really nice guy.

The main reason to plan further out would be if there is something special that you want that needs a really mature tank or you will need more experience to care for. You don't want to put yourself in a bind with real estate or incompatibility.

I completely agree with Carmie, especially when it comes to fish. I know a lot of people purchase juvenile fish that will only outgrow the tank they are in. The owners always say things like "oh, I'll trade him in when he gets too big" or my favorite "oh, I'll get a bigger tank." While I'm sure a few people really will trade in the fish or get a bigger tank ... most will not.

Plan accordingly and take it slow ... the recipe for success.

Oh, and welcome to Talkingreef!

Thank you for all the great responses. I have my ro/di unit on the way as far as fish planning I am looking at a pair of clowns, a six line wrasse, a mandarin dragonets (I've been told they take a very mature tank so this will be one of the last fish.) sailfin blenny, and a powder blue tang. I'm hoping to go more reef and fewer fish. As far as corals I'm still researching to figure out what route I want to go there so when I go light shopping here in a few weeks I know what to look for. Every one has been extremely helpful and I look forward to hearing everyones thoughts on my selections.

Stocking list looks fine asside from the powder blue. I don't want to be a part of the "tang police", but IMO, a 75 is just a bit too small for a powder blue. I'd be more comfortable with a 120, or maybe even a 90 breeder.

I'm glad you're waiting on the mandarin. They're such great fish, it would really be a shame to get one before it's time and have it not survive. Make sure when you're ready for it you get a healthy specimen. There are lots of starving, stressed out mandarins in LFSs, so be careful.

Stocking list looks fine asside from the powder blue. I don't want to be a part of the "tang police", but IMO, a 75 is just a bit too small for a powder blue. I'd be more comfortable with a 120, or maybe even a 90 breeder.

I'm glad you're waiting on the mandarin. They're such great fish, it would really be a shame to get one before it's time and have it not survive. Make sure when you're ready for it you get a healthy specimen. There are lots of starving, stressed out mandarins in LFSs, so be careful.

I have to agree about the PBT. They really need to swim, particularly back and forth. Most "experts" say a 6 foot length tank is minimum.

I would also have to agree. Having started with a PBT in a 4ft tank, as a juvenille long ago, it out grew the tank, became a terror against anything that was in the tank and really was inappropriate for a tank of that size. I now have a 6ft tank and, though would like another PBT, have not sucumbed to temptation again. I do have a yellow tang which has claimed the tank as it's own and sometimes I wonder if 6ft (180g) is even large enough for her.

Kind Regards,
John
Member of the The Southern Colorado Marine Aquarist Society (http://www.thescmas.com)

I would like to thank you all for the helpful advice. Are there any species of tang that would be happy in a 75g.

none, IMO, are suited for a 4' tank. sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but tangs swim for miles and miles in the wild while cleaning the reefs of algae. they all really need a 6' tank or longer. while a 6' tank only adds 2' ....

i did a little test when i got 2 tangs with Marine Head and Lateral Line Erosion. i got a Sohol and Chevron tangs from a local friend that had them in a 4' 120g reef (with minimal rock). they were both so bad off that you could not really tell what kind of fish they were. i got them home and put them both in my 8' frag tank ... withing a couple of weeks they were both healing. the Chevron healed within 6 months and was moved into my display tank. when the Sohol was alone in the 8' tank ... his healing REALLY took off. he was 95% back to his former glory when i sold him to a friend (who knew of the disease). i truely believe that both tangs being in a 4' tank was the reason for the MHLLE disease in both fish.

i understand that you would only have 1 tang, but i still think that it would be asking for trouble in a 4' tank. HTH

IC, well that just gives me a reason to get a bigger tank after I cut my teeth on the 75. Just wait until the wife hears about this one. Although she is the one who fell in love with all of the different tang's the last trip to the LFS so at least I have a little leverage.

One more thing, I love my sixline, it is cool looking and has personality. When I got him I had read in more than one place that a sixline and a mandarin would be OK together. So, a year down the road, when I wanted to add a mandarin further advice from folks here that I really trust made it clear that the 2 may not be a good combination. Of course I only have a 54 and 10 - 12 gallon sump so maybe the two would be OK in a 75.