1st saltwater tank! NEED HELP!
- Thread starter bjoe23
- Start date
I
innerdragon103
Guest
hoo boy... ok you'll be able to find all this info by surfing the forums but here's a brief crash course
--salt water, salinity between .023 and .026
--live sand
--live rock (try to get cured, or else you must cycle your tank for one month at least)
--tank with day and night time lights, the lighting depends on what type of tank you want, either with or without corals, if you are getting corals you will probably need MH lights (metal halide). easiest thing to do for a new hobbyist is to buy a biocube, its a nano tank.
you can find this info on the forums
--salt water, salinity between .023 and .026
--live sand
--live rock (try to get cured, or else you must cycle your tank for one month at least)
--tank with day and night time lights, the lighting depends on what type of tank you want, either with or without corals, if you are getting corals you will probably need MH lights (metal halide). easiest thing to do for a new hobbyist is to buy a biocube, its a nano tank.
you can find this info on the forums
clay12340
Member
Depends on the nano package that you go for as to pricing.
For a packaged 12 gallon with power compact lights expect something like $150. You'll still need a stand, heater, water, rock, sand, and testing equipment etc. If you go for metal halide lighting expect to pay about twice that.
Just buying a standard tank and equipment is cheaper, but it is a little less plug and play.
Here is a rough break down of things you should have before you start:
Tank(Should also have a second quarantine)- $10 and up
Lighting(choose based on corals you want)- $50 and up
Powerheads(always have a backup handy, again choose based on your needs) - $10 and up each
The first three are all rolled into a nano package, but the rest isn't included.
Heater - $20-$40
Mixing containers(for mixing and storing salt water) - free and up
Salt Mix - ~$20-$40 for a bag which will probably get you through the first 6 months or so in a nano. It is a better deal to buy a larger bucket, but more expensive up front.
RO water - $0.50 a gallon or $100 and up for a unit to make your own from tap.
Thermometer - $2-$50
Refractometer(measures salinity accurately) - $40 and up
or
Hydrometer(measures salinity less accurately) - $2-$20
Test Kits(# of tests and quality varies) - $40 - $200+
Acclimation kit(A piece of airline tubing and a large measuring cup will work) - free and up
Specimen Cup(something clear that holds water) - free and up
Fish Net - $5
Long Tongs - $10 and up
Super glue or epoxy(for gluing frags and rock together) - $3 - $20
Syringe(for target feeding) - $2
Stiff airline tube/feeding tube(to add extra reach to the syringe) - $1.50
That will cover the basics of getting a tank that is capable of holding your livestock, making water to put in it, and the needed goodies to safely get your livestock into the tank. Test all of the equipment out on freshwater(use RO imo) first and make sure everything is working like you want. Fix equipment and heat issues now while it is easy and not dangerous to your livestock.
While you're testing the equipment mix your saltwater and keep it mixing with a small powerhead. Once your equipment checks out test your salt water. If it checks out then it is time to get your live rock($4-$12/lb) and substrate($0-$7/lb). Aquascape to your tastes and fill the tank with the salt water that has been mixing for at least 24 hours, but preferably a week or more. As the synthetic salts mix with the water they take a little time to completely stabilize. Freshly mixed salt water shouldn't be added to a tank.
Once you're here you've got a saltwater tank. Expect a cycle. Depending on your situation it could take from a week to two months or more. After the cycle you can get a pattern of water changes down, and if you have any algae growth add a small clean up crew.
At this point your tank is "ready" and you can start slowly adding livestock. Your tank is still new and needs time to mature so take it slowly and don't go overboard. The slower you move in a reef tank the better off you are generally going to be. The longer your beneficial pods and such have to build up their populations and stabilize the healthier your tank will be in the long run.
Depending on your livestock choices you may or may not need other things to meet their needs. For general fish and inverts you'll probably just need some quality food. If the fish or coral has special needs you'll want to meet them before getting it.
That list covers all(I'm sure I forgot or missed some) of the goodies that I would consider essential to keeping things healthy and being prepared to handle it should something end up not being healthy. It isn't a cheap hobby, but it is much cheaper to spend a few dollars and have emergency gear handy than to deal with the consequences of not having it.
There are also about a billion other products you may end up needing or wanting depending on your situation. They are often very expensive, but they can make your life much easier or harder depending. Make sure everything you are buying is actually needed and it will help your costs a lot.
For a packaged 12 gallon with power compact lights expect something like $150. You'll still need a stand, heater, water, rock, sand, and testing equipment etc. If you go for metal halide lighting expect to pay about twice that.
Just buying a standard tank and equipment is cheaper, but it is a little less plug and play.
Here is a rough break down of things you should have before you start:
Tank(Should also have a second quarantine)- $10 and up
Lighting(choose based on corals you want)- $50 and up
Powerheads(always have a backup handy, again choose based on your needs) - $10 and up each
The first three are all rolled into a nano package, but the rest isn't included.
Heater - $20-$40
Mixing containers(for mixing and storing salt water) - free and up
Salt Mix - ~$20-$40 for a bag which will probably get you through the first 6 months or so in a nano. It is a better deal to buy a larger bucket, but more expensive up front.
RO water - $0.50 a gallon or $100 and up for a unit to make your own from tap.
Thermometer - $2-$50
Refractometer(measures salinity accurately) - $40 and up
or
Hydrometer(measures salinity less accurately) - $2-$20
Test Kits(# of tests and quality varies) - $40 - $200+
Acclimation kit(A piece of airline tubing and a large measuring cup will work) - free and up
Specimen Cup(something clear that holds water) - free and up
Fish Net - $5
Long Tongs - $10 and up
Super glue or epoxy(for gluing frags and rock together) - $3 - $20
Syringe(for target feeding) - $2
Stiff airline tube/feeding tube(to add extra reach to the syringe) - $1.50
That will cover the basics of getting a tank that is capable of holding your livestock, making water to put in it, and the needed goodies to safely get your livestock into the tank. Test all of the equipment out on freshwater(use RO imo) first and make sure everything is working like you want. Fix equipment and heat issues now while it is easy and not dangerous to your livestock.
While you're testing the equipment mix your saltwater and keep it mixing with a small powerhead. Once your equipment checks out test your salt water. If it checks out then it is time to get your live rock($4-$12/lb) and substrate($0-$7/lb). Aquascape to your tastes and fill the tank with the salt water that has been mixing for at least 24 hours, but preferably a week or more. As the synthetic salts mix with the water they take a little time to completely stabilize. Freshly mixed salt water shouldn't be added to a tank.
Once you're here you've got a saltwater tank. Expect a cycle. Depending on your situation it could take from a week to two months or more. After the cycle you can get a pattern of water changes down, and if you have any algae growth add a small clean up crew.
At this point your tank is "ready" and you can start slowly adding livestock. Your tank is still new and needs time to mature so take it slowly and don't go overboard. The slower you move in a reef tank the better off you are generally going to be. The longer your beneficial pods and such have to build up their populations and stabilize the healthier your tank will be in the long run.
Depending on your livestock choices you may or may not need other things to meet their needs. For general fish and inverts you'll probably just need some quality food. If the fish or coral has special needs you'll want to meet them before getting it.
That list covers all(I'm sure I forgot or missed some) of the goodies that I would consider essential to keeping things healthy and being prepared to handle it should something end up not being healthy. It isn't a cheap hobby, but it is much cheaper to spend a few dollars and have emergency gear handy than to deal with the consequences of not having it.
There are also about a billion other products you may end up needing or wanting depending on your situation. They are often very expensive, but they can make your life much easier or harder depending. Make sure everything you are buying is actually needed and it will help your costs a lot.
dreamer44
Member
this has got to be the best description yet of how to start a tank up. I've been reading this site for awhile now and I'm so glad I found this post! Thank you.
I want to try a SWT, I have in the past had FWT when the kids were small. their all older now., 14, 17 and 20 and like never around, Im a housewife and I need something to keep me busy, keep my mind occupied. Husband does not want me working so....I figured what better hobby than something I've always wanted to do...SWT.
Now, I just have to talk him into getting me what I need.....my birthday is less than a month from now....so maybeeee...
This post is Awsome...thanks again!
I want to try a SWT, I have in the past had FWT when the kids were small. their all older now., 14, 17 and 20 and like never around, Im a housewife and I need something to keep me busy, keep my mind occupied. Husband does not want me working so....I figured what better hobby than something I've always wanted to do...SWT.
Now, I just have to talk him into getting me what I need.....my birthday is less than a month from now....so maybeeee...
This post is Awsome...thanks again!
bjoe23
Active Member
this is all still very new to me but wat i would need is:
tank (includes top, filter, and day and night light and the 12 or 24g tank[not sure which one yet])
sand (any1 no how many lbs and cost per pound)
live rock (any1 no how much and how much per pound)
water and fish
any special wateR?
tank (includes top, filter, and day and night light and the 12 or 24g tank[not sure which one yet])
sand (any1 no how many lbs and cost per pound)
live rock (any1 no how much and how much per pound)
water and fish
any special wateR?
clay12340
Member
Dreamer44, your welcome. I'm glad you found it useful. Nearly all of the basic ideas are the same as fresh water aquarium husbandry. Good luck with the birthday present and if you're worried about having too much time a salt water tank will be more than happy to solve that problem.
The things you mention will indeed hold saltwater and fish, but don't underestimate the cost of the little necessities required for basic maintenance and the tools to solve common problems. They quickly add up in cost, and you'll probably need them sooner rather than later.
Use reverse osmosis(RO) or distilled water. It has little to no dissolved solids so you are starting off more pure than tap and there won't be any harmful chemicals in it.
A reverse osmosis filter to make your own water is the cheapest way in the long run, but it requires a much larger initial investment. You can buy distilled water at Wal-Mart by the gallon. It costs around $0.64 here. It could be more or less in your area.
If you want a price on a 12 or 24g tank with lights, hood, and powerhead this site offers them for sale and does not allow us to post competitors on the boards. Look over the variety they have to offer and the prices they charge for a general idea.
You don't have to have sand at all and in some tank situations you may not even want it. If you decide that you do, then you have to pick a grain size. Basically figure on something like $20-$30 for a 20lb bag. You can get it cheaper and pricier, but most of the readily available pre-bagged stuff costs around that and comes in a 20lb bag. Add sand to your liking. There are tons and tons of articles discussing the merits of this and that when it comes to sand.
Live rock is probably going to cost you around $7-$8/lb if you walk into a fish shop and buy it. A good starting place is 1lb per gallon. Aquascape it as you see fit and if you feel like you need more add it.
Don't forget a heater to keep your temperature from dipping and something to sit the tank on. Plan on your tank weighing something like 10lbs per gallon when it is filled with water and rock. Thats 120lbs for a 12 gallon, so be sure whatever you are sitting it on can handle it.
So for a really simplistic basic price:
12 gallon PC lit tank - $150
12lbs live rock - $100
bag of sand - $25
heater - $30
water - $6
Salt mix - $25
Hydrometer - $5
Light Timer - $5
[hr]
Total - ~$350
Expect to pay double that by the time you've got something worth looking at. There are also maintenance fees. You need to change 10-20% of your water at least monthly. You need to replace your bulbs every 6 months. Your fish have to eat. So be ready for the ongoing expenses.
The things you mention will indeed hold saltwater and fish, but don't underestimate the cost of the little necessities required for basic maintenance and the tools to solve common problems. They quickly add up in cost, and you'll probably need them sooner rather than later.
Use reverse osmosis(RO) or distilled water. It has little to no dissolved solids so you are starting off more pure than tap and there won't be any harmful chemicals in it.
A reverse osmosis filter to make your own water is the cheapest way in the long run, but it requires a much larger initial investment. You can buy distilled water at Wal-Mart by the gallon. It costs around $0.64 here. It could be more or less in your area.
If you want a price on a 12 or 24g tank with lights, hood, and powerhead this site offers them for sale and does not allow us to post competitors on the boards. Look over the variety they have to offer and the prices they charge for a general idea.
You don't have to have sand at all and in some tank situations you may not even want it. If you decide that you do, then you have to pick a grain size. Basically figure on something like $20-$30 for a 20lb bag. You can get it cheaper and pricier, but most of the readily available pre-bagged stuff costs around that and comes in a 20lb bag. Add sand to your liking. There are tons and tons of articles discussing the merits of this and that when it comes to sand.
Live rock is probably going to cost you around $7-$8/lb if you walk into a fish shop and buy it. A good starting place is 1lb per gallon. Aquascape it as you see fit and if you feel like you need more add it.
Don't forget a heater to keep your temperature from dipping and something to sit the tank on. Plan on your tank weighing something like 10lbs per gallon when it is filled with water and rock. Thats 120lbs for a 12 gallon, so be sure whatever you are sitting it on can handle it.
So for a really simplistic basic price:
12 gallon PC lit tank - $150
12lbs live rock - $100
bag of sand - $25
heater - $30
water - $6
Salt mix - $25
Hydrometer - $5
Light Timer - $5
[hr]
Total - ~$350
Expect to pay double that by the time you've got something worth looking at. There are also maintenance fees. You need to change 10-20% of your water at least monthly. You need to replace your bulbs every 6 months. Your fish have to eat. So be ready for the ongoing expenses.
bjoe23
Active Member
Originally Posted by Dreamer44
from what I understand you can use either base or live, or a mixture of the two.
in the end I have decided to use all live rock...I will be setting my tank up by the weekend...cant wait! Live rock will be here on thursday!
good luck,
Lori
thanks for info!
good luck on ur tank
from what I understand you can use either base or live, or a mixture of the two.
in the end I have decided to use all live rock...I will be setting my tank up by the weekend...cant wait! Live rock will be here on thursday!
good luck,
Lori
thanks for info!
good luck on ur tank
reef diver
Active Member
Aha, three are a few missing points. 1. Research the type of corals you want, their light needs and water quality specs. Meet these requirements. 2. Also, dont buy your stuff cheap, get the best stuff you can afford, it will save a lot of waiting, money and dead livestock in the long run 3. Research the LFS in your area!!!!! Be sure to find one that knows what its about, and will dispense good advice, and not just try to sell you stuff!!! 4. Join your local reef club!!!!! this will help you with any tests etc, you can also find great deals on stuff within your reef club!
Also base and live are the same thing, they both contain just as many nitrogen cycling bacteria as premium rock, base rock just costs less, and has less macro life on it, such as feather duster worms, corraline algae, etc.
Join the forums on reefcentral.com they are great, and as good if not better than these. Subscribe to reefcentral's reefkeeping magazine, great tips on fragging etc. Also don't let a major catastrophe w/ your tank dissuade you! Things happen.....
Also base and live are the same thing, they both contain just as many nitrogen cycling bacteria as premium rock, base rock just costs less, and has less macro life on it, such as feather duster worms, corraline algae, etc.
Join the forums on reefcentral.com they are great, and as good if not better than these. Subscribe to reefcentral's reefkeeping magazine, great tips on fragging etc. Also don't let a major catastrophe w/ your tank dissuade you! Things happen.....
griffen8280
New Member
I've heard from around that some types of leather corals will do pretty good under a Coralife 50/50 bulb. Some of them can be quite neat looking with little fingerlike polyps that come off the main body. Just a thought though.
