Hi Heather do you have a Red Sea Reefer? if you do the size of the filter socks is 4.5" x 10" all i can find in wish is not that measurement :SGo live rock 100%. Start with what you want in the end. Why spend all this money now with the intent of spending MORE later?
Everyone has a favorite brand for this and that piece of equipment brand names are just that...names. I love my reef keeper, but that's tech. A good sump stocked with some yummy green algae is your BEST tool. Then sit back and be patient. The "live" rock is going to cycle your tank from day one. You need those "hitch hikers" to "pop the clutch" as is my favorite image when I need to just get into a project. Contact your fishy friends and see if they will share some of their substrate, rock, or green algae from their tanks in the beginning you just need bacteria to work with. You WILL have a disgusting bloom of slimy red cryo[sh$<] don't panic, and a brown dusty looking coating on everything. IN THIS STAGE don't sweat it! It means your getting close to a healthy, life sustaining marine aquarium.
Consider researching vinegar and/vodka, yes as in booze.
I know this is long but be patient, I made SO many mistakes and lost so many fish and cried every time. Everything that goes in your tank is new, plastic or stainless steel and it NEVER gets used anywhere else...including towels or linens. Wash them in light bleach or vinegar ONLY and NO dryer sheets (forgot that twice). NO air fresheners or candles anywhere near your system OR any ( OR ONLY, EVER, EVER TAP) water change water. did that once. Fought White Slime decrease for months. Wash filter socks by themselves in washer with light bleach separate from any other filters. TEST TEST TEST. Once your system is balanced you'll be a little relaxed and you can see from your tank family if anything is "off" and can go back to bi-monthly.
'If your fishy family's happy and you know it....clap your hands!! If is not and know it, test the water....again.' ok, so the ending falls flat, but you get it. If there is dissension in these learned ranks, then I'm wrong and would love the input. These are just things I've learned over the last 3 years. I can finally say I'm getting the hang of it. Oh yeah.... lighting strongest NOW!! Don't "upgrade later" start RIGHT all the way
FYI I get filter socks and a lot of my simple aquarium supplies from wish.com
Liveaquaria.com has a 15 day guarantee on fish, no matter what kills them, 30 on coral. I will not work with anyone else. Dr. Fosters is indispensable. Large variety of captive bred
Heather
i already got the live rock from the guy at the LFS, also i don't know what you mean by vodka how do i use it apart from drinking it? what does it do? and you mean never put tap water? the guy at my LFS actually sells sea water so i don't have to do the mixing which i know costs more but is more efficient
and i top off the stock ATO with RO water that i get from him, soon ill be making my own.
what other aquarium supplies do you get from wish.com?
i am trying to buy the best stuff for the tank so i don't have to worry later although it will take some time low on money at the moment