Newbie and need set up guidance

queenb2411 · 10-14-2006, 02:23 PM

We just got a 45gal tank and would like to make it a beautiful saltwater habitat but have no idea where to begin. What equipment do we need (all I have is the glass tank and stand)? I am not sure what to get for filtrationa nd lighting and what else I need to get it set up and maintain. I have done a lot of online searching but have found no step by step set up guides.

Are there any fish that are easy to start with? Any to avoid at first?
Any suggestions for websites to purchase supplies or get help from?

Thank you so much in advance!

Loman · 10-14-2006, 02:44 PM

Queenb,
Welcome to the forum

.

There are others that may be better suited to answer your question but let me try to get you started. With a slat tank there are a lot of different directions you can take the tank. The first step IMO is to do just what you are doing by researching the options and reading material etc. There is some justifiable debate about how much the staff at he LFS can/do help but I think it is worthwhile to get their opinions as well. You can also look at their tanks etc. and get an idea of what you like and don't care too much for.

In terms of mechanics of starting the system and buying materials I would strongly suggest you read the sticky on the saltwater forum on cycling he tank. The information in there is great. Once you read it post any questions back and we can try to help explain it. You ask about fish but IMO that is actually still a ways off to get started reasonably (not a bad thing to consider early but I woulds strongly recommend against buying fish until the tank is cycled - they will be stressed and likely die if you try to cycle with fish)

It is a great hobby and not that hard. It can be a it overwhelming at first but once you understand the nitrogen cycle you have a good set of fundamentals.

Hepcat021 · 10-15-2006, 12:06 AM

Yes, definately do not buy saltwater fish before you have a cycled tank. They are more delicate then freshwater fish, cost more, and of course it is bad for any fish. Also where I work (large pet store) they have no return policy on saltwater fish. I don't know if this is similar other places, but you might just be throwing your money away if you don't cycle it first.

Just thought I'd voice my warning
Bill

WhoDey · 10-15-2006, 11:36 AM

If you want a geat step by step guide that has a ton of info go here About Saltwater Aquariums - Reef Tanks . This site along with this forum (as well as some independent research) is where I learned everything I needed to know to start my tank. There are a lot of different ways to go in this hobby and the best way to figure out which way to go is to figure out exactly what you want in you tank. Do you want to have corals, an eel, a puffer, a lionfish, a tang? Once you figure out what you want in your tank you can start to build their ideal home. You will find many fish don't do well together or can't be placed in a reef tank, ect. Post your questions here as you learn and we will all try and help.

jdg30 · 10-16-2006, 11:11 PM

I am definatley not new to aquariums, but i am to saltwater tanks. I am currently in college but on the weekends im working on getting together a saltwater tank. I have a 55 gallon tank with an overflow on it. I am planning on building a stand for it in the upcomming weeks. I was wondering what anyone would think the best type of filtration would be if i do a tank with coral. I'm not exactly sure how natural filtration works yet with coral and so fourth but what i want is a lot of exotic and bright types of coral, with a nice bed of sand(or whatever it is). I am almost postivie i am going to go with a sump but i do not know what all will be in the sump and the size of it, any suggestions? I was also wondering if anyone could give me some tips on what i should purchase first and so fourth and how to go about starting up a new tank. I am also curious about lighting. If anyone could tell me about lighting it would be appreciated as well. Thanks

Nookuler · 10-17-2006, 07:41 AM

On the topic of starting a tank, my ultimate goal is to have a 90+ gal community reef tank. I started small (12 gal tank) and I'm working my way up. So my question is, with a community tank will some fish's upkeep kill off others? For instance, will the upkeep of coral kill off cleaner shrimp?

Just curious really,
Ariel

WhoDey · 10-17-2006, 10:17 PM

JDG30,

I can answer a couple questions you have...

First off I would get a 4inch sand bed in your tank, for 55 gal that would be around 100 lbs. (you can get 100lbs of play sand from lowes or home depot for about 8 dollars) But be careful and make a trip there first to see what brand they carry then search it online to make sure it is safe.

Second, I would get 75-100 lbs of live rock. This will be your basic natural filtration for your tank (keeping in mind you will need a "clean up crew" to keep up with the decay in your tank). I would get a skimmer to help with cleaning the water. A sump, although not necessary, would be a nice addition to the tank. You also need to be able to create water movement in the tank. This can be done with a powerhead ($20) or so.

Lights... now this is a big purchase. I recomend either Power Compact or T5s. I have 4x54 watt T5s over my tank and they are REALLY bright. You will be able to grow your corals nicely under these without having to worry about the heat that MH lights give off. For more info on lights check out the post called Upgrade in lighting! on the first page.

Your purchase order should be just how you would put your tank together... Buy the sand(wash it) put in tank. Fill up your tank with RO water, heat up water to 80 or so(must have a heater for this

), then add "Instant Ocean" or what ever salt you want. Test with your Hydometer the salinity of the tank. Test the PH ( you may need PH buffer to help get it to a reasonalbe level). Make sure you buy a test kit that comes with all the good stuff. Get your lights, powerhead, and skimmer next. THEN, you can finally add your live rock(this will be very exciting). Give the tank 2-3 months to cycle competely(the deep sand bed will take a long time to cycle). You can speed this process by adding live sand. Once the Nitrates are zero you are ready for your first fish... and by this time you will have learned so much you will be ready to take good care of it. Ok... that should buy me some time... Let me know if you have more questions.

-Nate

ahill3780 · 10-19-2006, 02:47 PM

NOTE TO ALL:
Please stay on topic, this thread was opened for suggestions on setting up a new tank. The original questions have not been answered yet so please open a new thread for your own questions on your setup. It is unfair to take the conversation away from the original threadstarters questions if yours do not coincide with theirs. Thank you.

QueenB,

Welcome to FishTankForums!

The basic equipment/supplies your are going to need for any saltwater setup would include:

Heater
Filter
Thermometer
Salt Mix
Hydrometer or Refractometer
Lights
Test Kit (Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, pH, Alkalinity)
Substrate (Gravel, Sand, Crushed Coral, Live Sand, Live CC, etc.)

Optional:

Powerheads (for more current)
Live Rock
Decorations
Protein Skimmer
UV Sterilizer
Glass Canopy

Filtration and Lighting are going to be two of the most difficult decisions to make, and can be two of the most expensive as well. We can't really give you any suggestions on this without first knowing what you want to keep in the tank. Fish only tanks tend to need less light and good filtration, and reef tanks tend to require intense lighting and filtration. First know which direction you want to head in with the tank, then plan for what purchases need to be made to accomodate your choice.

I know its not much of a step by step guide, but that is a project that I have on my list and not enough time in this post to tackle it. We can offer more advice as you make more decisions on what you want to see in the tank.

HTH,
Aaron

jdg30 · 10-23-2006, 02:45 AM

I thought my question was pretty relavent to starting up a new tank Queen B? Im not really sure to what your comment meant. Thanks Alot Nate, My 55 Gallon is more of a tall shape not rectangular, i hope that doiesnt make a difference. About the sand. I used to have arrowhead puffers who loved to live under the sand, and i used pool sand. Would that be a better choice for my new tank? Also, is there something specifically made for the sand bed of a saltwater tank instead of play sand? And one last thing, any suggestions on my sump and how I should pursue it?Thanks alot, that was an awsome respons...this weekend i am going to purchase some supplies. My screenname is jdoggydog6969 if you would like to IM me for convenience purpose.

WhoDey · 10-24-2006, 08:24 PM

To answer you question about sand... I'm not really sure about pool sand. You can use the vinager test to see if it bubbles up. Usually if it does then you are ok. There is specific sand for saltwater tanks and you can find that on any online saltwater store. The problem is that is costs a lot of $$. I would rather spend my money on LR than sand, but that is me. Can't help you with the sump, I don't have one. I would say since your tank is a lot higher than normal, you would probably need less than 100 lbs of sand to obtain a 4 inch sand bed.

-Nate