Theo
Junior Member
Posts: 70 
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Post by Theo on Mar 26, 2014 22:56:24 GMT -5
in the future. it wouldn't be a big one maybe 20-30 Gallons it would be more of a test run before I buying a bigger tank and realizing how difficult the up keep is. I currently have a FreshWater tank. But how difficult are saltwater tanks?
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Post by Admin on Mar 26, 2014 22:59:26 GMT -5
I started a 24 gallon couple of months again and honestly its not bad at all. Just make sure you invest a little time and $$$ in the right stuff. I spend more time keeping up my planted tank than my saltwater. Just go slow with everything in saltwater. I do find water changes take much longer (letting the RO/DI system do its thing, mix salt, bring up to temperature, etc...)
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Theo
Junior Member
Posts: 70
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Post by Theo on Mar 26, 2014 23:14:05 GMT -5
I started a 24 gallon couple of months again and honestly its not bad at all. Just make sure you invest a little time and $$$ in the right stuff. I spend more time keeping up my planted tank than my saltwater. Just go slow with everything in saltwater. I do find water changes take much longer (letting the RO/DI system do its thing, mix salt, bring up to temperature, etc...) thanks for the reply $$$ isn't really an issue but what would you think starting up a 20-30 gallon tank would cost? and what fish/invertebrates are best for a beginner? and I assume doing a simple Google search "how to set up a salt water aquarium" will tell me the supplies I need and all that jazz |
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Post by gabor129 on Mar 26, 2014 23:18:52 GMT -5
I make my RO ahead of time, and store it in a 30 gal barrel! As for the mixing, I use an 800 gph power head in a 5 gal bucket. 15 min. And mixed! For temp.... I use the micro to heat RO water before mixing! A 1.2 liter jug, 6 min on high, mixed into 5 gal of room temp water results in 77.3 F temp..... My secret to 10 min water changes....
Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk
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Post by Admin on Mar 26, 2014 23:19:33 GMT -5
It all depends, I got some really good deals on stuff and found a lot of almost brand new stuff; it also comes down to what you want to do with- what types of coral you want to grown if any, etc... There's so much info out there it can be overwhelming. One thing I can tell you is DO NOT cycle with Damsels- you will regret it when they live lol
Some good beginner fish in my opinion are:
-domestically bred clowns
-firefish/ dart fish
-certain types of goby's (watchman, diamond, two spot)
-some wrasses
-chromis
Beginner inverts:
-emerald crabs
-peppermint shrimp
-cleaner shrimp
-hermits
-turbo snails
and manyyyyy more.
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Theo
Junior Member
Posts: 70
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Post by Theo on Mar 26, 2014 23:23:44 GMT -5
I make my RO ahead of time, and store it in a 30 gal barrel! As for the mixing, I use an 800 gph power head in a 5 gal bucket. 15 min. And mixed! For temp.... I use the micro to heat RO water before mixing! A 1.2 liter jug, 6 min on high, mixed into 5 gal of room temp water results in 77.3 F temp..... My secret to 10 min water changes.... Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk I've done almost no research on salt water. So I have no idea what your talking about lol |
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Post by gabor129 on Mar 26, 2014 23:24:47 GMT -5
Fire fish are jumpers so have a top! I personally would recommend as large of a tank as you can afford, with a sump. Good lights, quality live rock, and don't worry about fish! Just take it slow, you will change your mind about the fish a hundred times before you are ready for them!
Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk
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Theo
Junior Member
Posts: 70
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Post by Theo on Mar 26, 2014 23:25:12 GMT -5
It all depends, I got some really good deals on stuff and found a lot of almost brand new stuff; it also comes down to what you want to do with- what types of coral you want to grown if any, etc... There's so much info out there it can be overwhelming. One thing I can tell you is DO NOT cycle with Damsels- you will regret it when they live lol Some good beginner fish in my opinion are: -domestically bred clowns -firefish/ dart fish -certain types of goby's (watchman, diamond, two spot) -some wrasses -chromis Beginner inverts: -emerald crabs -peppermint shrimp -cleaner shrimp -hermits -turbo snails and manyyyyy more. Yeah I would do a lot of research before I even start buying the goods for the salt water tank. For my Feshwater aquarium I did about 2+ months of research/traveling around the city to find the right tanks/setup and info |
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Post by gabor129 on Mar 26, 2014 23:26:52 GMT -5
I make my RO ahead of time, and store it in a 30 gal barrel! As for the mixing, I use an 800 gph power head in a 5 gal bucket. 15 min. And mixed! For temp.... I use the micro to heat RO water before mixing! A 1.2 liter jug, 6 min on high, mixed into 5 gal of room temp water results in 77.3 F temp..... My secret to 10 min water changes.... Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk I've done almost no research on salt water. So I have no idea what your talking about lol Lol, sorry! Just how I make my water to be able to do a water change quicker! Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk |
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Post by Admin on Mar 26, 2014 23:58:57 GMT -5
It all depends, I got some really good deals on stuff and found a lot of almost brand new stuff; it also comes down to what you want to do with- what types of coral you want to grown if any, etc... There's so much info out there it can be overwhelming. One thing I can tell you is DO NOT cycle with Damsels- you will regret it when they live lol Some good beginner fish in my opinion are: -domestically bred clowns -firefish/ dart fish -certain types of goby's (watchman, diamond, two spot) -some wrasses -chromis Beginner inverts: -emerald crabs -peppermint shrimp -cleaner shrimp -hermits -turbo snails and manyyyyy more. Yeah I would do a lot of research before I even start buying the goods for the salt water tank. For my Feshwater aquarium I did about 2+ months of research/traveling around the city to find the right tanks/setup and info That is excellent, research will save you some major headaches |
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Post by seggsy on Mar 27, 2014 9:23:45 GMT -5
Here's a list of things to consider - cost will depend on size, quality, if you buy new or used:
Water - get an RODI unit (I actually have a spare right now) - will save algae headaches later
Refractometer - to acurately measure the salinity of the tank
Salt - I use Reef Crystals (Sam's in Belleriver often has it cheap)
Tank - I prefer a drilled tank that drains to a sump - sump houses heater and filters
Skimmer - protein skimmer is essential
GFO reactor - I use one, supposed to eliminate phosphate - can get a dual chamber if you want to run carbon too
Powerheads - need good flow in the tank - I use some older koralias because they are cheap and work
Lights - I suggest T5's or LED's
Live rock - your best form of filtration
Crushed coral - I prefer shallow, and not too fine (or it blows around)
Heater, return pump from sump (if you go sump), thermometer, test kits
Spend some time and check out some set ups - everyone loves to show off their set ups!
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Theo
Junior Member
Posts: 70
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Post by Theo on Mar 27, 2014 10:22:59 GMT -5
Here's a list of things to consider - cost will depend on size, quality, if you buy new or used: Water - get an RODI unit (I actually have a spare right now) - will save algae headaches later Refractometer - to acurately measure the salinity of the tank Salt - I use Reef Crystals (Sam's in Belleriver often has it cheap) Tank - I prefer a drilled tank that drains to a sump - sump houses heater and filters Skimmer - protein skimmer is essential GFO reactor - I use one, supposed to eliminate phosphate - can get a dual chamber if you want to run carbon too Powerheads - need good flow in the tank - I use some older koralias because they are cheap and work Lights - I suggest T5's or LED's Live rock - your best form of filtration Crushed coral - I prefer shallow, and not too fine (or it blows around) Heater, return pump from sump (if you go sump), thermometer, test kits Spend some time and check out some set ups - everyone loves to show off their set ups! Thanks for the info. Are sumps a must? and how would you go about finding a drilled tank? |
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Post by seggsy on Mar 28, 2014 14:14:35 GMT -5
I like having equipment in the sump - just less stuff to clutter the display.
If the glass isn't tempered, you can get a tank drilled. I just bought a cheap used drilled set up (in Michigan) when I was looking.
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Post by Launch on Mar 29, 2014 13:24:59 GMT -5
Sumps aren't necessary, but they add move water volume to your overall system. Small tanks tend to crash a lot faster than larger ones and by having a sump you can increase your overall volume buy 20-40g or more. This will also help keep your number of water changes down. I do not have a sump on my tank but a good rule of thumb is to run a filter larger than what is required for your tank or run 2 filters to make sure your water is cycled a great deal in 1 hr.
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Theo
Junior Member
Posts: 70
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Post by Theo on Mar 29, 2014 15:28:48 GMT -5
So how do you make/setup a sump?
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