Brand spankin' new...

[monalisa]

I just registered to this site yesterday in hopes of learning more about starting a salt water aquarium. When I say I'm new to this, I mean it!! I don't have an aquarium yet, and I'm in the process of trying to figure out the best way to start.
Think back to the time when you were just thinking about setting up a tank, and let me know where to start and what to avoid. I would greatly apprciate any advice.
:help:
Lisa

 

[mudhauler]

read read read. If you don'y understand something search the boards there is a wealth of info. You'll learn so much from these guys and I've been playing with this hobbie for 30 years and this board really opened my eyes

 

[scotts]

First off welcome to the board.

My word of advice, research EVERYTHING before you buy it. On impulse I bought a 2" fish, then found out it grew to over 18" long.
BTW I am jealous of people like you that are starting off right. I did the old jump in thing and learned the hard way.
Scott

 

[jcarroll]

Get ready to spend some money, save up if you don't have it. When you purchase equipment it's worth the money to spend on reputable brands. I've just started also, mine is a 55 and honestly never realized how much this hobby can cost! I'm getting ready to purchase lights and they seem like they may run me over $500!!!!!!

 

[monalisa]

Thanks for the replies everybody. So far, it seems I'm doing what I need to do. I've been reading, researching, asking questions, etc.
As far as equipment goes, I don't have a clue regarding brand names. I know that this can be a costly hobby, but done slowly, I'm sure I can manage. I just really want to do this right so I don't set myself up for disaster.
Has anyone read salt water aquariums for dummies? I'm thinking of getting and reading a copy of that, as it puts terms into layman's language.
Again, many thanks for your replies.
Lisa

 

[acrylic51]

Welcome!!!!

 

[rnk9394]

I'm new too. I read Saltwater for Dummies and some of the info seems dated and not current. I bought the book "The New Marine Aquarium" by Micheal Paletta. This book is very good and has helped me with ideas of what I want with my system.
Rick

 

[scotts]

This book seems to be popular on the board and is usually recommended, although I am an idiot and I have never read it. by Bob Fenner called "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist".

 

[shoimen]

Welcome to the site. All I can say is read and research before making any decisions. Also, be very cautious of advice from your local fish stores....their goal is to sell, not help you run a succesful tank.
I havent read the 'for dummy's' book. I have read "The Complete Book of the Marine Aquarium" By Vincent B. Hargreaves. Very good book. May be a bit outdated, but it is very helpful in regards to aquarium setup. It also has a lot of 'common' fish and items that people will include in marine tanks.
I am also going to add that the advice on this board far surpasses that of any book. And, you have the benefit of argument and multiple perspectives. In the end, you make the decisions and thats half the fun!

 

[jobob]

i have this book its very good. read read read.... then ask. i did it the hard way to. jumped right in. my sister had a tank at school, so she helped out a bit. get the biggest tank u can afford or fit in your house!! if u plan on keeping corals get the best light u can afford. dont get crush coral!! get sand!!! dont cycle with damsels. use a shrimp. well welcome to the hobby

 

[monalisa]

Thanks again everybody.
I'm heading to a fish store this afternoon to see if I can find any of the titles mentioned in this thread. I'm really excited to start, but I also know that I need to take it slow and easy.
I'm getting a lot of ideas from the forums, that's for sure, which is why I would like to find some reading material as well. I want to know the "whys" as well as the "whats"...know what I mean?
After the research, obviously, I need to purchase a tank...I know that. I've already got a spot picked out in my home for it. OK, after that...what's the next step?
What a great site this is!!
Mona :happyfish

 

[monalisa]

I ended up finding 2 books, which are already clearing up some of my very basic questions. "The Marine Aquarium Problem Solver" by Nick Dakin, and "Clownfishes in the Aquarium" by Gregory Skomal. I've already read almost completely through both of them (pretty much skimming), and I think this is a great starting point for me. Will go back and pick up on the details before jumping in.
While I was at the store, I also checked out their equipment. They had something there called a "Skilter", not sure of the brand name, but it is supposedly a filter and skimmer in one. Is anyone familiar with this? What do you think...remember, I'm new at this and am interested in taking short cuts for now with thoughts of eventual upgrades.
Please let me know what you think.
Thank you!!
Lisa :happyfish

 

[buzzword]

MonaLisa, I just started my tank after a month of reading and researching on this forum. All I can say is read the threads at the top of this forum by Beth and 007, great info. I also have read The New Marine Aquarium by Pelleta, found it to be the most helpful. Also have read the Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Fenner, very good as well. Read, read, and research and ask questions here, but use the search bar at top of forum first as it will probably answer your questions for you. Because they have all probably been asked before. HTH. Good Luck.

 

[mudplayerx]

I recommend the book "Natural Reef Aquariums" by John Tullock.
For my bit of advice, do NOT buy a piece of equipment if you read bad reviews on it, no matter how cheap it is.

 

[monalisa]

midplayerex, where would I get info on the "skilter"
Any info is MUCH appreciated!!
Lisa :happyfish

 

[scotts]

Do a search on this site (top right of this screen) for skilter. If I remember right they were not give rave reviews. Words of advice if you don't mind. Use RO (reverse osmosis) water, You may even buy an RO unit yourself. Depending on the size of the tank you are going to get you can break even on the RO unit, plus it is so much easier in the long run. However not needed now. For your substrate use Live sand. Or depending on your area of the country use can use Shouthdown sand. Do a search for southdown, silica and vinegar on this site and you will learn more about sand than you want to know.
HTH
Scott

 

[murph145]

what size tank are u planning on getting?? that will determine alot of the stuff u need...
i have a 100 g tank.
i have 2 fluval 404 filter, uv sterilizer, protein skimmer, heater, 250watts HO flourescents,
i have a reef like tank but only poly kinds of coral button polyps, star polyps, and mushroom
also have inverts... 2 urchins, 2 starfish, 5 anemones etc...
everyting seems to be doing good.
ur starting off right gettin info i bought a lot of wrong things at first before each purchase i now research it completely
good luck

 

[jobob]

skilter, my sister had one. 1 there loud so if its in the bed room, not a good choice. 2. gives off bubbles, not to bad but almost every hob skimmer does. 3 her's got a crack in it and leaked 20 gals on the floor which soaked threw the ceiling into the basement. took me 5 day to rip down the wallpaper and paint the water mark!!! that sucked!

so i dont know if it was a bad one or if all are like that. u could make it not as loud by addin a air pump to it. if u are goin with a big tank, go with sump or wet dry. well good luck!!:jumping:

 

[monalisa]

Murph,
I'm probably going to be getting a 50-55 gal tank. I would love to go larger, but space (or lack of) pretty much will dictate the size. I'm going this weekend to shop, and possibly purchase my tank. I will also want to look over the equipment. Hopefully I can get this figured out before too long.
Talk to you later.

 

[knots]

Before you buy, check prices online. You will probably find everything (except maybe the tank) a lot cheaper even when you include shipping. And then you can have more money to spend on the good things.:yes: