New to saltwater aquariums...few questions

UnDeR_FLiP · 10-29-2006, 03:52 PM

Hey everyone. First off, I'd like to say that I am brand new to the forums here and I hope to gain as much knowledge as possible. Here is a short history of my aquarium experience. I started off quite a few years ago with a small 15 gallon tank with some tetras and other small fish...I had this for a few years and over the years expanded upon it and kinda lost intrest in the hobby. Lately, setting up a tank has sparked my interest again but this time I am interested in setting up a saltwater tank. I realize that they are quite abit more work than a freshwater tank and more expensive...but I am older now and I think I can handle the responsibility. So on to my questions...

1. What would be an ideal size tank to start off with? I dont want anything too big...maybe something around 30gallons?
2. What kind of filtration is nessecary? Would a canister filter on its own be sufficent?
3. What pre-cautions should I take with a saltwater tank?

If you kind folks could fill me in on the details of starting a saltwater aquarium I would really appreciate it!

-Daryl

Tommy Gun · 10-29-2006, 04:12 PM

Hey UnDeR_FLiP! It is good to meet you!

While I am not normally part of the 'welcoming committee, I would like to say Welcome! (Ok, so there isnt really a welcoming committee, unless these guys are hiding one from me....

)

I think that you will find that there is a lot of help for you here on this site and people are generally quick to answer any question you may have. As far as some of your questions go...

I believe most people would point you in the direction of reading some of the 'sticky' threads on the site. You may already be pretty familiar with most of the topics, however I do know that a few of them point out some good differences between SW tanks and FW tanks so they are worth a second glance.

About the types of set ups and what are best, have you given any thought or decided upon what type of tank you would like to have? For example, do you want to keep a reef set up? Or perhaps a FOWLR tank which stands for Fish Only With Live Rock? There are quite a few options at this stage and so knowing more of what direction you want to go in would help us point out the needed equipment and such.

In my opinion and my experience, a 30 gallon tank would be a really good size to start out with since it is not too small, nor not too big either. Just like in freshwater, larger tanks are generally easier to deal with for beginners since the water quality does not fluctuate as quickly and it becomes easier to stop problems before they begin.

Also in my opinion, and I believe some people would agree with me, a saltwater set up does not neccessarily have to be a highly more expensive venture than a freshwater tank. Again, depending on what type of tank you want to have, the set up is really not much different than most FW tanks and in fact, like my tank is set up as, you may not need any mechanical filtration at all. So, yes, the fish are more expensive (and sensitive) and you need salt for the water (and a place to cure it for a couple days, prefferrably), and depending on how much live rock you plan to buy (there are some good ways to save money there as well), it doesnt really have to require a second mortgage to set up a saltwater system for your home.

Well, I am pretty excited for you as I have just went through this same process that you are begining now about six to seven months ago and I know you are going to love your new tank! I am sure in the next couple of days, if not sooner, you will have a plethura of information at your finger tips and please dont be too shy to ask ANYTHING (except my bra size and age, I am a very sensitive man!)

gm333 · 10-29-2006, 05:02 PM

The first thing you need to do is research, there are alot of good sites on the net including this one. Lots and lots of research. If you do have any questions along the way just ask thats what we are here for. I couldnt tell you how many posts I had posted before finally buying my first salt tank.

ahill3780 · 10-29-2006, 06:48 PM

Hey Daryl, and Welcome to FishTankForums!

Hey Tommy, everyone is part of the welcoming committee around here, its just that most of you are slackers! (his bra size is an A cup and he's 15 years old, at least when he's online!)

just kidding.

So you're going to ask us what we recommend as far as tank size goes and then limit our response to 'around 30 gallons' huh? What kind of way is that to ask for answers?

Well, I would have to recommend 55 gallons as the preferred tank size for new beginners for many reasons. Stability, stocking, expense, learning curve, and so on.

Tanks smaller than 55 gallons in the SW scene should be reserved for the more experienced hobbiests who know how to counter and avoid the many dangers in keeping a small tank. 30 gallons would be ok but almost all new hobbiests want more than just a few fish in their tank and that spells big problems down the road. In fact, IME 50% of all people who decide to start a SW tank and give up within the first year because of frustration are all due to starting with tanks too small for their skill to handle.

There is a lot more to be said on the issue but I don't feel like writing a book tonight.

If you really want to set up a cheap tank that you don't have to sink a lot of money into then I would suggest the following fish only (FO) setup:

Get a 55 gallon tank kit from Wal-Mart that comes with the heater, lights, hood, filter, and tank.
Get a good cannister filter (Reyna Filstar, Eheim, Magnum, etc.) and try to get one that has mechanical/chemical/biological filtration all in one.
Start with a modest substrate of 1-2 inches.
Use plastic decorations and Faux coral decorations.

That is about the cheapest way you could go with a new tank. You won't have any natural biological filtration to speak of, and it will fall on the can filter to keep the tank clean. But if you're looking for cheap then that's your best bet. Good for keeping a Lionfish in and learning how to maintain a SW tank.

If you want a breathtaking tank, or if you want to keep the cooler fish and corals then I think you're going to have to spend a good bit more time researching to learn about cycling, acclimating, quarantining, proper stocking, filtration systems, lighting, reef type setups, and so on. There is much more to learn in this hobby than one first expects when starting out and it can be overwhelming at first, but once you've been bitten by the bug there is no turning back and little to hold you back from aiming for you 'perfect setup'.

Whatever direction you decide to take we're here to offer you help so feel free to ask away. I try to get by here as much as I can but even if I'm not around there are many others here who are capable of helping you out.

Best of luck!
Aaron

Tommy Gun · 10-29-2006, 08:05 PM

Aaron!

I thought that was our little secret!

Actually I wish I was still 15 and my boobs are probrably getting closer to a B cup now that I got my cushy little office job and spend all my time at home behind my computer!

Like I said, I am not the expert, but Aaron is and I really like the 55 gallon tank idea. All of my 55 gallon tanks are those 'kit tanks' from walmart (they are about 150 bucks only so my wife cant yell too much).

When you get to the buying stuff part of your endevor, hit me up as I found some really good ways to save some money when I set up my tank.

UnDeR_FLiP · 10-29-2006, 08:22 PM

Thanks for the replys so far everyone!

To answer a few of your questions...I would like to set up a reef tank (not too extensive though) a few pieces of coral, some anemonies, which of coarse will take some time to add too...that kind of thing. I know clown fish are quite easy to take care of and are recommended for beginners...so I would like a couple clowns and maybe some damsels or something.

55 gallon sounds good to me...its not too large and it could fit in the space I do have...one concern with a larger tank though is when it comes time to move. Is something like this a hassle to move? do you need to go through the whole cycling process and stuff again? Would I lose the fish I would currently own in a moving process?

As far as setting up for a reef tank, what other equipment would I need to purchase? Along side from the conventional cannister filter, I've been told that you need a protien skimmer as well?

I am quite familiar with the whole cycling process, acclimating and so on...so when it comes to those things I think I am ok...my main concern is what is needed for proper filtration, more specifically for a reed setup.

Tommy Gun · 10-29-2006, 08:34 PM

Aaron is going to be the best source of answers for these questions, I am sure. However, I do know that moving any SW tank is going to be pretty tricky; much more so that a FW tank. However, I do know a couple of people who have done this and it usually involves having a smaller, seperate quarenteen tank that they move first, set up, ensure that it wont cycle again, and then move the living portions of the tank over asap to allow time to get the display tank over and set up correctly. I bring this up because many people (myself included) dont usually have a week or two to move between places unless they have that spacific condition in mind before they have to.

I also like the 55 gallon long tanks from walmart. They seem to fit into a lot of places in most any room and I have moved my FW 55 gallon tank many times (three different houses, and from room to room). I think it is a real good recommendation that Aaron made.

UnDeR_FLiP · 10-30-2006, 01:29 PM

Well I made a trip to walmart today and they have the 55gallon long aquariums and a 46gallon bow aquarium (which I like quite abit more)...Would this size be suitable? Plus to bow tank is a little cheaper than the 55gal.

gm333 · 10-30-2006, 02:50 PM

Actually the 55 will be much better in the long run, it has more surface area for gas exchange and will not have to stck corals on top of each other, plus it will give more swimming room for the fish.

ahill3780 · 10-30-2006, 06:14 PM

I would have to agree, having a longer tank is easier to begin with IMO. If you want a shorter tank then volume is going to be a key when you get to the point of keeping the tangs, or triggers, angels, etc. If you get a bowfront then it would be better to start with a 90 gallon than the 46. You can go either way, but you're more limited with stocking in the smaller tank. At least in the 55 long you have the 4 feet of length for the fish to get a good burst of speed when they feel like it.