brand spankin newby

[hxcpnk]

Hey whats up everyone, I just wanted to say that this site is definetly nice, there is so much information on here just in the message boards. Anyways, I am really interested in starting a saltwater tank, i think probably just fish only with live rock cause i dont wanna get in over my head, actually thats kinda why im posting. I know absolutely nothing about this hobby, well a little not much though....so im reading and im going to continue to read before i ever buy my first fish. Im just getting a little discouraged, It almost seems like you have to be a millionaire to start a saltwater tank. Is it possible to have a nice setup without spending a million dollars. I know im gonna have to spend some decent money and im prepared for that but i dont wanna spend every nickle i have on it....Im almost thinking about just starting a freshwater tank with cichlids...but saltwater has pulled me in so i dont think i could go with the freshwater....anyways i'll stop my ranting....but yeah great site and awesome people on these boards....well any replies would be greatly appriciated thanks........peace:nervous:

 

[cprdnick]

No, you don't have to be a millionare. I started my tank when I was making 6.50 an hour with 40 hours a week. I just started pulling things together and low and behold, now I DO want to spend every nickel I have on it. Now, my next goal is a bigger tank:jumping: .
Practice patience
Research before you buy (on anything)
Buy a good book - The Conciencious Marine Aquarist
Ask questions when in doubt.

 

[michael7979]

PATIENCE , PATIENCE . 2 of the best rules.

 

[birdy]

WELCOME!!!:jumping: :jumping: :jumping: :jumping:
There are definetly ways to save money in this hobby as well as times you just have to suck up and spend the money, but it is a facinating hobby errrr addiction.
The book I would recommend is The Conscientious Marine Aquarist. You will not regret spending the money on it.
I definitely recommmend starting out with a FOWLR.

 

[hxcpnk]

Thanks everyone for the replies, Its crazy how fast you get replies on here, but i have a couple other questions. I was just wondering what the heck is a refugium and what does reef safe mean? I have no clue lol....thanks again and hopefully i'll get replies just as quick as i did last time.... oh yeah and i think im definetly gonna buy that book, not at my lfs though it was 60 dollars!....peace:happy:

 

[birdy]

I usually buy my books off Amazon.
A refugium is a seperate tank that is plummed either above or below your display tank, in the this tank, you usually have a sandbed some LR and Macro Algae, the tanks purpose is to be a haven for pods to reproduce without any preditors (many fish love to eat pods) and the Algae in the tank is for nutrient export. I think adding a refugium is one of the best things I have ever done for my tank, the algae really sucks up all the nasties in the water.
Reef safe generally means that you can put it in a reef tank with corals and inverts, and they will not eat them.

 

[fshhub]

LOL, it can be expensive no doubt. However....... one nice thing is the patience factor, you can build as you go, with many things. and spend a little here and there, until you have what you want.
key things to know
PATIENCE, is a major part
get the largest tank you can afford
and research before buying anything(esp inhabitants
research some more before you buy anything, esp inhabitants.
and resarch a little more.
ask questions here(this counts towards research)
and a GOOD book for a beginner with no idea where to go is
The New Marine Aquarium, by michael paletta. It is about 30 and is an excellent step by step guide for your first tank. It even helps walk you thru your first fish purchases.
And lastly
Research and use lots of patience(again)
Do you want to have a fish only? fish only with live rock? a reef or an aggressive tank??
reef safe means just that, safe for a reef with inverts and corals. Some fish like to eat these things taht construct what we refer to as a reef tank. Or they destroy and rearrange things. They would not be reef safe.

 

[hxcpnk]

Thanks, definetly cleared things up for me. Since im doing a FOWLR I wouldn't need a refugium would I?

 

[fshhub]

no, not a MUST have, but would not hurt either(if you wanted one it would only add benefits)
Being a Fowlr, you can go with inespensive lights and buile them up
skimmer, a good one is essetial, but as you cycle you can save and buy that
and rock, well you co not have to have aset amount adn you can dd that as you go as well(just make sure it is well cured b4 it goes into your main tank)
Get the DSB going and add some rock to the largest tank you can afford
The larger is much easier to take care of, besides you will inevitably want to upgrade after you get going(no matter if you start with a50 gallon or 5000000 gallon, this is an inevitable factor)
Just do NOT trim corners on your skimer or testing equipment.