Welcome to the forum!
BASIC EQUIPMENT AND PRODUCTS
THE AQUARIUM:Must be all glass or acrylic - nometal should come into contact w/the saltwater. A popular starting size aquarium for saltwater is 55gal.
FILTRATION: BIOLOGICAL FILTRATION IS ESSENTIAL TO THE SALTWATER AQUARIUM. THE PURPOSE OF THE BIOLOGICAL FILTRATION SYSTEM IS TO USE NITRIFYING BACTERIA TO CLEAN AND PURIFY THE AQUARIUM WATER NATURALLY. There are lots of coices for filters. HOB(hang on back), cannisters, sumps/refugiums. Do research on what filter you think will suit your need.
A skimmer is recommended for any saltwater setup. Do thorough research on skimmers before you buy.
HEATERS AND TEMPERATURES:Submersible heaters should be used in the saltwater aquarium. Atemp. of 78* F should be constant in the aquarium and any fluctuation is to be avoided. You will also need a good thermometer to moniter the temp.
Water Salinity:You will need to check the level of salinity to make sure your water stays between 1.021-1.025. You can use a swing arm type, floating, or a refractometer. The refractometer will give more presice readings than a swing arm or floating type.
FLOURESCENT LIGHTING : You need to decide whether you want a fish only tank(reguar flourescents will do fine) Fowlr (regular flourescent or VHO lighting will work) or reef tank(Vho is a must for softer corals, and halides plus VHO is recommended for hard corals)
Salt water mixes : Salt mixes all have different trace elements in them. I would suggaest starting out with Instant Ocean salt mix. It is relatively inexpensive to use, and this enables you to do the recommended partial water changes.
SETUP-BREAK IN AND MAINTENANCE
FILTER SYSTEM: Install the filter system you have chosen. Place your Gravel, sand, substrate on inside aquarium
.
Next....Fill the aquarium with fresh tap water(R/O is perferred) at 78*F. Condition the water with a dechlorinator if using tap water. Plug in the filter.
INSTALL the heater now, adjusting it as needed over the next few hours to hold the of the water at 78* F. Add 80% of your instant ocean mix. The water will be cloudy for a while.
Now....Decorate your aquarium with clean, cured coral pieces and clean shells and rocks. Put the glass cover in place(if one is used), add strip light fixtures and plug them in(timers are recommended).
ALLOW... your new aquarium to run for 24 hrs. After this time, check the salinity of your aquarium water. it should read1.020. Adjust by adding small amounts of dechlorinated tap water or premixed sea water. This is why you do not add all of the seawater mix in the beggining. Allow the aquarium to continue running free of life for another 48-72 hours, making adjustments as needeed to salinity or heater.
At this stage you will need to cycle your tank, there are several methods on how to cycle a tank. Here is a thread explaining the cycle process.
http://www.fishtankforums.com/6-salt...-aquarium.html Keep the aquarium lights on 4-8 hrs. a day when cycling. Use your test kits to determine the nitrogen cycle(ammonia,nitrites,nitrates). After the nitrites, and ammonia, rise and then fall back to zero, you need to do a 20% waterchange. After this stage is complete you may add fish or inverts to the tank. NEVER ADD LIFE WHEN NITRITE OR AMMONIA LEVELS ARE PRESENT.
USING YOUR QUARANTINE TANK... you may add animal life to your new system anytime the nitrite level is zero. Add to the population of your aquarium slowly, completing your community over a period of 6mnths or so.
Partial water changes should begin after your tank has cycled. 10-20% of the water should be changed and discarded every two weeks. .
Watch aquarium closely....break it in slowly....avoid overcrowding....and most of all....do not overfeed your aquarium. The foods you place in the tank stay in the system as part of the nitrogen cycle. Any uneaten food should be removed promptly, as it rots quickly, causing a growth of harmful bacteria and an ammonia rise. This stresses the marine animals and can cause outbreaks of disease or parasites.
I think I have covered evrything, if not one of the others will give additional info as well. If you have any questions just post them.
