Here comes a N-e-w-b-y

geo is ceo

New Member
Just wanted to say hello to everyone im a newb in the process of buying a 240 gal tank. I've been reading on the site Man yall scare a brother into not wanted to try a fowlr tank,But im going to try and could use alot of help. Done freshwater for years but saltwater i've been wanting to do for years also. if you would give me the first 10 things i need to buy to get started that will help me in the long run i will have my tank on the 15th of October and that's all i will have so im at the forum mercy :help: and thanks in advance.
 

ginarox

Active Member
hello geo is ceo....welcome to the board,, i wish i could help, but i am very new at this,,,you came to the right place to get all the info you need,, have a great day...
 
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josebob

Guest
really not all that hard to keep (saltwater). advise water changes don't forget to do them (weekly or bi-weekly).
 

oceanists

Active Member
Originally Posted by josebob
really not all that hard to keep (saltwater). advise water changes don't forget to do them (weekly or bi-weekly).

Hello Geo welcome to the family ... the one thing I can suggest is get a good protein skimmer.... Ill go into it later when I get home from work
 

mandarin w

Member
I don't know about the first 10 things you need to buy:
A protein skimmer
A sump/fuge, you coud proby use a 65 gal for the purpose.
Fish Only you could get away with some nice compact florecence
but that means fish only, no corals, no anemone.
350 lbs of Live Rock
350 lbs of Live Sand
a heater
some fans to blow across the top of the tank for cooling
RO/DI unit, with a couple brut trash cans to hold your water for your top offs and water changes,
The conciencious marine aquarist this book is a must have. This book will explain all the different equipment needed, how it works and so on. It will explain water quality and how to set it up.
I am in Highland Il, not far. If you need help or want someone to help show you the ropes. just let me know.
you can send me an email at mandarin_watcher @ yahoo.com
I would be more than happy to help.
 

fish-man-t

Member
a good brand of salt
test kit
350 lbs of Live Rock
350 lbs of Live Sand
cocktail shrimp :)
theres 5 to get you going
btw welcome,,,, this is a raly great side for info these people are cream of the crop.
 
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oreo12

Guest
ro filter You will need to start out with ro water. 300lbs live rock min. lots of good sand. sevral good power heads. of course a big bucket of sea salt.get some test kits so you can check out your cycle.
 

mazdaman

Member
lets not scare the guy if u have a good filter u do not need the 350 lbs of rocks right off the bat,as for a filter i use a wet/ dry and it works great,some good power heads,good skimmer,notice i said a good skimmer do not fall victom of so called bargains,also i would invest in 2 good heaters i say 2 cause it good to have a back up,hydrometer,oh most people dont like them but i love them and swear by them a good uv sterilizer.
 
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oreo12

Guest
If you have the rock you won't never need the filter why waste your money? Just buy the sand and the rock. You will need a skimmer in about 3 months.
 

salty2275

Member
Don't waste your money buying a single thing until you've spent a couple of months researching what you would like to accomplish with your tank. Then, understand that the end cost will be at least 10 times more expensive than you think it will be right now.
 

1journeyman

Active Member
Welcome to the boards!
First purchase should=A Conscientious Marine Aquarist. Read it... it will save you thousands of dollars and many many hours... Also, reading a good book like this will explain the different type tanks so you'll know which direction to head.
Don't let it scare you... if you are willing to do some research you'll find this suprisingly easy!
 

geo is ceo

New Member
Thanks What a great Welcome to a Forum Im reading and soakink up the infomation I'll get the book and i will have more questions im building my own stand and canopy while i want on the arrival of the tank. Ok question 1 what is RO water and where do i get it.
 

1journeyman

Active Member
Reverse Osmosis water.
You can either buy a filter that produces it (an RO/DI filter is the best) or buy it from your grocery store.
 

oceanists

Active Member
Originally Posted by 1journeyman
Reverse Osmosis water.
You can either buy a filter that produces it (an RO/DI filter is the best) or buy it from your grocery store.

If you do a search on the big auction site you will be able to get a 100 gallon per day RO unit for around $150 or the is another great site called Air Water Ice that you can do a google on. It will pay for itself 100 times over, and it is less hassle.
It also gives you purified drinking water , better than any bottled water. I{ts easy to hook up to.
 
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oreo12

Guest
I hook mine to the bathroom sink I have a long hose I can run from there to my tanks for top off. It only takes a min to hook up It has more than paid for itself and my wife is not luging all that water in from the store for me.
 

michael_t

Member
Yeah, buy an Ro unit.
My WalMart sells a gallon of RO at $0.33.
You will spend $79.20 to fill up you tank!
A 240 gal tank requires 48 gals for a 20% water change. So you will be paying $15.84 for a monthly water change PLUS your weekly top offs (replacing water as it evaporates).
In one year you have just spent $269.20.
And buy Live Sand. DO NOT BUY CRUSHED CORAL!
 

michael_t

Member
Expect to be frustrated for a few months or longer as one thing after another will happen. Too high of nitrates, fish will die (knock on wood), parasites will pop up, fish attacking fish (oh the humanity!) SFW has a steep learning curve.
Then one day you will be staring at your tank, enjoying it, and you won’t realize that moment had arrived.
 

oceanists

Active Member
Originally Posted by michael_t
Expect to be frustrated for a few months or longer as one thing after another will happen. Too high of nitrates, fish will die (knock on wood), parasites will pop up, fish attacking fish (oh the humanity!) SFW has a steep learning curve.
Then one day you will be staring at your tank, enjoying it, and you won’t realize that moment had arrived.

Totally agree.... expect , diatom blooms , cyano growth ,hair algea and then bubble algea .... all of them a pain and ugly , but nothing to get worried about
 
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