17 gallon Landen 60P

[achansek]

Hi guys, 

I am planning on setting up my first saltwater tank. I plan to use ~20-lb rock and a simple HOB filter. 

I don't plan to dose but will do a weekly 3-5g water change. 

Questions.

1. What stocking will work for this setup/maintenance? (softies/anemone/LPS)

2. How many frags should I start with?

3. What livestock/inverts should I get?

 

[achansek]

My budget for the corals + livestock is $300.

I am planning on getting 2' quanta reef crest daylight light.

 

[gastone]

In a tank that size you could do a mixed reef with softies and some lps, but I'd avoid anemones.  Maybe crucifers (rock flower anemones), but any host anemone is going to get quite big and even entamacea quadricolor (btas) will get big and split.  Softies and some lps would probably work with your plans of not dosing and just utilizing water changes.  Don't discount kalkwasser for your ato. Pretty straightforward way to add calcium and alkalinity while also providing a pH boost.  Don't know anything about your light choice.

 

As far as what to start with, if you can, get real live rock and sand.  The Florida aquacultured stuff is nice.  Good and bad, but imo the good outweighs.  You could add some simple softies to start.  Whatever moves you.  Some zoanthids frags would be fine.  A piece of neon cabbage or toadstool would be nice and are hearty corals. Don't overdo it with corals.  You aren't going to have a ton of room to have stuff fill in, so I would say get stuff you want long term.  If you don't want to prune out Xenia or GSP constantly in the future , don't get them now. 

 

As far as inverts, nothing crazy.  A nice mix of a couple of cerith, nerites, nassarius, hermits...whatever floats your boat.  You won't need to overdo it.  Just a few of each will suffice.  Shrimp are tough as they can get fairly big.  Maybe a pistol shrimp/goby pair.  

 

Sounds like you are off to a good start.  Take your time and get everything cycled before adding livestock.  Slow and steady always wins.

[achansek]

Thank you for the suggestion on avoiding anemone. I might stick to that. 
Is this the Florida aquacultured one?https://tbsaltwater.com/

Kalkwasser ATO is a great idea. Will work on it once I get the setup running.

Thanks on the life stock. I will stick to it. 
Appreciate if you have a budget lighting option.

I am not a big fan of the AB/blue option. I prefer daylight with some blues.