Saltwater Advice

[wesbailey]

Hello All,

I have been running three freshwater tanks for almost a year now and I am wanting to set up a 55 gallon saltwater tank. I have always heard that they are a bit of trouble to start up, but in the end they take care of themselves. I am in no rush to set this thing up. I want to do it right. I am open to all suggestions.

[callen]

Welcome to the SW side! It's fun. The first thing I would suggest is research, research and more research. Before we got into SW we did close to 6 months of research and mapped out everything we needed and wanted to make sure it fit our budget.

One of the best books to read is Bob Fenners ...

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Co ... 1890087999

Second ask lots of questions even if it seems silly.

Happy research

[wesbailey]

Thank you much Callen! I plan on reading all that I can. I have an excellent saltwater store that can answer plenty of questions. I'm sure this will be quite an adventure.

[Nathan]

I am in no rush to set this thing up. I want to do it right. I am open to all suggestions.

Those are the magic words here!
Ditto to what Callen said--research, research, and more research. Then when you think you're ready, research some more and ask questions!

[Dyjital]

Kudos to those brave enough to go saltwater.

[ralphie]

WELCOME to the Salty side..

in the end they take care of themselves

I kind of disagree with that, but a lot depends upon what you want to keep. You may want to research these terms to start off with

FO -> Fish only tank

FOWLR -> Fish only with live rock

Reef -> tank with corals in it

Be aware, myself included, started out with the idea of FOWLR only but then later on decided to go with a reef tank. The problem could be that some of the equipment you buy for a FOWLR may not be good enough for a reef tank. In my case, I ended up throwing out the lights I had bought and ended up building my own when I went reef.

[wesbailey]

I woul like to start off with a fish only tank. I found a book in a fish magazine called "Marine Aquarium Handbook Beginner to Breeder" that I am going to read before I set up the tank.

[callen]

Excellent book. Martin Moe is great, one of the best out there in this hobby. Have met him and have sat in a few of his lectures.

[ralphie]

I woul like to start off with a fish only tank.

I would recommend a fish only with live rock tank. The live rock will

-> provide biological filtration, depending upon the amount, it could provide all the biological filtration for the tank

-> look more natural

-> allow the fish to feel more secure, so to speak, thus reducing stress

[wesbailey]

That sounds great. I am buying a 60 gallon tank next weekend. Mind you I am in no rush. I just found an excellent deal on craigslist that couldnt pass up. I order Martin Moes book yesterday and will be reading the whole thing from start to finish before I even attempt a saltwater tank. I am going to start out slow and gradually build my tank.

[Nathan]

Sounds like a great plan! I'm starting to get the itch again...

[k0y0te]

good to see your taking your time. I love my fowlr tank, though i been thinking about starting a reef setup.

[ralphie]

good to see your taking your time. I love my fowlr tank, though i been thinking about starting a reef setup.

That is exactly the route I went, fish only with live rock, then some low light inverts and then finally I went reef.

[k0y0te]

thats cool. I want to keep my fowlr and start another tank for my reef. Wanting 100+ gallon. Been saving for it for almost a year. God willing , I should have enough to buy everything Feb-March of next yeaar (2011) It will go into my "man room'" which is a converted garage that has ac/ heating. I already have my fresh water 10, 40, 55 and 250 (pond) gallon in it. It will be a nice little addition to the room. My 55 fowlr is in the dinning room and a 40 fowlr in the living room. lol i also have 2 fresh water tanks in my room. Two 75 gallons, one with my most resent buy, the Tiger Oscar and the other housing my Green Terror.

lol if i could have it my way, i would have a tank on every wall

[callen]

Good for you!! You have MTS BAD!!