New Start

SUV · 10-08-2006, 10:16 PM

First off i am new to the forum and have read alot of your guys posts and learned some interesting stuff. I haven had a tank in about ten years and they were all freshwater. Now i want to start a saltwater tank, I have a 55gal tank and stand, but I dont know every thing else i need. I know Need sand and rock, but other than that I am new to saltwater and could use any help or knowlage you can provide.

Thanx
Suv

Tommy Gun · 10-09-2006, 08:32 PM

SUV,

Of course, I am sure you can assume that you are going to need lights and a heater (although you may not always need to use it. Mine is simply there to prevent my water from cooling too much at night). Lights are going to be of particular importance to a SW tank, much like they would be for a planted FW tank. A skimmer is also a good idea, but I have heard that it is not always needed.

Then again, I am not an expert, but these were some of the first choices I had to make when I started my SW tank, about two months ago. You should research a little into what fish you want to keep and/or if you want to keep a reef tank (corals). Knowing this will help you decide exactly what you will need.

Filtration is another question you should research. Many SW tanks do not use any mechanical filtration like a HOB filter or a canister filter. I do not use any filters on my tank and instead rely on a natural filtration system of Live Rock and Live Sand.

I am sure that many people can help you alot more than I can for your questions. I just didnt want your questions to go unanswered and so I thought I would reply to see if you know more about what type of tank you want to keep. Letting the experts know that will help them help you better.

SUV · 10-10-2006, 03:49 PM

I thought of going w/ a reef tank. As for the fish my wife is prettymuch in charge of that, i'm sure you guys know how that goes. I think she wants a puffer as for that I dont know, but she does want it to be bright. Any sugestions?

I kinda figured i would need light and a heater, but did not know about filltration. I had heard that I might not need any. The tank is 55gal. so i would also like to know about how many fish i can keepin it? I know it probobly deepends, but I dont want to overload it.

Also what about LR and Sand any sugestions to what kind, how much, and where to get it? There is a local Sw specialty store in town and I heard they are pretty good and very knowlageable.

Thanx Again.

CrypticAnimal · 10-10-2006, 04:01 PM

I suggest reading Saltwater for dummies not saying your a dummy or anything but it a very good book for new people to the hobby...Also read super simple guied to corals if intrested...REad read read its the only way to do this hobby without wasting money...(2)Heater,Lights at least 3 watts per gallon(depending on if you plan on keeping corals),Protien skimmer,115lbs live rock,Live sand,Thermometer,hydrmeter,All the test kits you can get your hands on for the monitoring of the cycle Ammonia,Nitrite, nitrate,ph are the main ones at first should be ok...Just remember patients is great in this hobby...BUY the book it will Help..Hope this helps Also protien skimmers (4corals)are a life line inless going with a fowler set up and still I suggest you buy one

SUV · 10-11-2006, 12:24 PM

Yea, thanks for the info, Mutch appreciated. I already ordered the book off ebay.

CrypticAnimal · 10-11-2006, 12:46 PM

Good choice , It has a very good maintanence section/w a maintenance schedule...Just one little thing that helped when I was starting..It will cover lots of the basics..The only draw backs of the book are that they dont go into depth with corals or fish...Fish Marine is a very nice,and also has great photos and a very wide range of marine fishes I bought mine at a half price book store for 9.99...Thats the spot for fish books (fish stores over charge on everything)

Tommy Gun · 10-11-2006, 05:28 PM

SUV,

Just wanted to point out quickly that Puffer's are not really good fish to keep in a reef situation due to their needing to eat hard materials to keep their 'teeth' in check. I have a puffer at the moment and this is why I cannot keep corals right now.

SUV · 10-12-2006, 03:54 PM

See thats why I need to ask questions. Thanks for helping me not make a mistake.