Taking The Plunge Into Saltwater!

I've waited 10 years, done all the reading, and hopefully developed some patience, and I'm FINALLY putting together my first SALTWATER AQUARIUM! Where are the pics of pretty fish, you ask? Well, as part of the "patience" comment above, I have to let the Nitrogen Cycle happen first to create colonies of fish-waste-loving bacteria to avoid a big tank of dead fish. Before that, I need all of my equipment to arrive FedEx this week (see subsequent post).

So first, some stats. I purchased a second hand Mini-Reef aquarium setup from a fellow saltwater addict on http://www.marshreef.com/, my new favorite website.

55 gallons (36"x18"x20")
4x54W, 36" T-5 VHO Fluorescent Lighting
Eco-System Hang-On-Back Refugium w/ Protein Skimmer


And so, some goals for what I want to have in the aquarium (we'll compare to what actually comes true):

Fish:
  - Clownfish
  - Regal Blue Tang
  - Yellow Tang
  - Powder Blue Tang
  - Yellow-Tail Blue Damsel

Invertebrates:
  - Giant Clam
  - Starfish
  - Sea Urchin
  - Shrimp
  - Corals (I still need to learn more before deciding types)

I hope for this blog to become an avenue for friends and family to enjoy our new aquarium, to provide a resource for folks looking to start in the hobby, and to keep a record for myself!