think that's how we all feel.
Yeah the goby/shrimp combo is a great idea, check out youtube - there are a couple of excellent little videos on there
My sister runs her 26 gallon without a skimmer, but I run my 26 gallon with a cheap boyu skimmer. As long as you are good with the water changes it will be fine.
I would suggest you steer clear of the scooter blenny - far too difficult a fish for a newbie, too specialised a diet - you don't want to struggle and see him waste away because you can't supply the copepods he needs
Don't forget to post pics
and keep asking questions
The live rock is your filter
Yes a heater
checkout
<a href="http
/www.ultimatereef.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=200" target="_blank">http/www.ultimatereef.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=200</a> for live rock in your area also good old ebay
You asked about what you will need:
Extra power head - I went for the KORALIA as recomended by the guys on here, Koralia nano would be good (check out ebay)
Refractometer, don't bother with a hydrometer - again ebay
marine salt
Sand, you will need approx 10 lb bag - don't bother with live sand - it will seed from the Live rock
Testing kits for nitrate, nitrite, ammonia and PH - just to start with you will need more a little later - Salifert tests are generally considered the best - prepare yourself for a shock on price!
Water container - food safe, Camping and General do them for a good price - you will probably just buy your water as you don't need that much each week rather than buying a RO unit
Container to mix your water - empty salt container is ideal I find - see if lfs will give you one
Cheap power head for mixing water
Cheap heater to heat water when mixing
Syphon
Good quality tank scrubber and algae magnet - you get what you pay for here, don't go cheap! Ebay again
Ro unit from RO man - you can get one for about £65, a sound investment in the long run (if you decide to invest in a bigger tank later)
Live Rock - you will need about 6 K - look to get it from a reefer breaking down a tank - you will get a better deal, less die off if it is local ( I transported mine for an hour in water and had little die off) and better rock with lovely coraline growth and more hitchhikers - a win, win situation
My suggestion to you would be go slowly, plan and do your research - ask us loads of questions, we have all been in your situation and done the same You could go out and buy all this stuff from your lfs, BUT it will COST you, a little time and planning can save you an awful lot of money and boy, you will need money because this is an adictive, expensive hobby + the planning is fun
Seffie x
ps don't believe everything your lfs tells you!
