Help, I'm new at this ^-^'

[cobaltfish]

Hello, I'm new to saltwaterfish.com and new to saltwater tanks. I've wanted a saltwater tank for awhile now and was wondering.... What are all the things I need to maintain a healthy saltwater tank? I need to know all the devices used for saltwater tanks and what they are for. :help:

 

[symon]

Best thing to tell you is to read and research, there are alot of opions, and many different ways to do things. But the one thing that is truly constant, Patience! No matter what you do , it takes time!

 

[promisetbg]

Hi and welcome!
What you need depends on what you want to do....reef or fish only tank.
You will need a pump for circulation,and also powerheads inside the tank for additional circulation and oxygenation.Or instead of powerheads a closed loop can be added{less heat and looks better}.I can explain a closed loop if you are interested.
A good skimmer is essential...this fractionates the water into a foam,which separates the proteins for removal.
If your plan is for a reef,and depending on what corals you wish to keep....proper lighting will be required.
If your tank is not drilled,an overflow box will be necessary.A sump is advised...this is another tank,under the main tank...where you keep the skimmer,heater{also needed} and gain additional water volume.A thermometer,test kits,and a refractometer will also be needed.This is a good start.

 

[cobaltfish]

I'm not sure which I'd like to start with. I was also wondering what fish are good starter fish in both reef tanks and fish-only tanks.

 

[cobaltfish]

I may start with a 55-60Gallon

 

[lennon]

Originally Posted by promisetbg
Hi and welcome!
What you need depends on what you want to do....reef or fish only tank.
You will need a pump for circulation,and also powerheads inside the tank for additional circulation and oxygenation.Or instead of powerheads a closed loop can be added{less heat and looks better}.I can explain a closed loop if you are interested.
A good skimmer is essential...this fractionates the water into a foam,which separates the proteins for removal.
If your plan is for a reef,and depending on what corals you wish to keep....proper lighting will be required.
If your tank is not drilled,an overflow box will be necessary.A sump is advised...this is another tank,under the main tank...where you keep the skimmer,heater{also needed} and gain additional water volume.A thermometer,test kits,and a refractometer will also be needed.This is a good start.
Can you explain a closed loop please? I like the less heat thing.
Thanks much

 

[promisetbg]

Another couple things needed and very important!
A GFCI and ground probe.
GFCI { ground fault circuit interrupter} is to keep you from being shocked...salt + water + electricity can be dangerous.
Ground probe is for stray voltage..= less stress for tank inhabitants.
I need to get to work..I can explain closed loop later.

 

[jdragunas]

The most important thing you could ever buy is Fenner's "the concientious marine aquarist". This tells you everything you need to know. Also, do a lot of research on this website. It's hard for someone to tell you in a thread everything you need to know about starting up... you may miss some valuable information.
Also, for the fish, you should definately buy "the pocket handguide to marine fish". It is the best book on fish there is. It tells you everything about fish you need to know, such as: the size tank they need, what they eat, reef compatibility, other fish compatibility, and much much more. This is the book i used to plan my tank, and i'm so glad i got it.
If you read those books, and still have questions, this is the place to be, but the first thing you shoul do is get the marine aquarist, it's a life saver.
Welcome to SWF.com, and good luck with everything!!!

Jenn

 

[jmick]

I agree with the Jenn that The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Fenner is a must have for anyone new in the hobby (actually, I think it has valuable info for the new and the experienced).
My other advice is to be patient and never buy anything without first knowing its needs (all too often people buy creatures they can not take care of and end up spending a lot of money on an animal that ends up dying). Also, try not to put to much faith in what your LFS has to say. Remember, they are there to make money and all too often give bad advice. Also, make the most of sites like this one and enjoy

 

[jdragunas]

Originally Posted by Jmick
...never buy anything without first knowing its needs (all too often people buy creatures they can not take care of and end up spending a lot of money on an animal that ends up dying). Also, try not to put to much faith in what your LFS has to say. Remember, they are there to make money and all too often give bad advice. Also, make the most of sites like this one and enjoy
Right on Jmick... you should really never buy anything without first consulting SWF.com... lol

 

[jdragunas]

Well, newbie... lol j/k, you're not supposed to advertise other websites on this forum, you might get in trouble... just a warning.

Jenn

 

[rpick]

whatever type of tank you want, there are 3 things. money, patience, and money. like everyone said do your research first. too many bad things can happen and mistakes can be expensive.
i'm at work now but i think i started out with the 'conscientious aquarist'.

 

[dr. evil]

Originally Posted by jdragunas
Well, newbie... lol j/k, you're not supposed to advertise other websites on this forum, you might get in trouble... just a warning.

Jenn

oops my fault sorry didnt know, now i bow at the alter of the moderators and beg forgivness,

it wont happen again

 

[lennon]

Originally Posted by promisetbg
Another couple things needed and very important!
A GFCI and ground probe.
GFCI { ground fault circuit interrupter} is to keep you from being shocked...salt + water + electricity can be dangerous.
Ground probe is for stray voltage..= less stress for tank inhabitants.
I need to get to work..I can explain closed loop later.

Is a ground probe something I buy or something that needs to be installed?
Can you explain the closed loop thing pleaaaaaaaaaaase..
Thanks

 

[lennon]

are ya still around??

 

[fish_wok]

Originally Posted by Cobaltfish
Hello, I'm new to saltwaterfish.com and new to saltwater tanks. I've wanted a saltwater tank for awhile now and was wondering.... What are all the things I need to maintain a healthy saltwater tank? I need to know all the devices used for saltwater tanks and what they are for. :help:

I use bleach.

 

[jdragunas]

Bleach... for what? :notsure:
Lennon, i have no idea what a closed loop is. Sorry.
Jenn

 

[promisetbg]

Originally Posted by Lennon
Is a ground probe something I buy or something that needs to be installed?
Can you explain the closed loop thing pleaaaaaaaaaaase..
Thanks
Sorry..I did'nt get back to you.

A ground probe is easy...you just plug it in and place the probe in the sump{or somewhere in the water} it attaches with a suction cup.
A closed loop can be made several ways...some drill the back of the tank for it...I added mine after the tank was set up,so drilling was'nt an option.
So,I have a PVC pipe with holes drilled in it as a draw tube...it fits up and over the back of the tank to draw the water through{using elbows}.....the pvc leads to a pump..I use an external Blueline pump....the pump returns the water through pvc that in my case goes through a SCWD {water switching device} and returns to the tank through Loc Line{little black plastic snap together pieces}.The SCWD makes the water go left and right with great force.I also use a SCWD on my open return system,and it also returns through LOC line...It gives me current coming from four directions which makes my hard corals grow strong and with many plates or branches.It also eliminates the need for powerheads..in my case I removed 7 powerheads!
I was just trying to find a picture for an example...but it may take me a while to find it...

 

[promisetbg]

Mine is'nt exactly like this,but here is an example of a closed loop for a tank that is not drilled.The black thing is the SCWD.