C
candy618
Guest
I need to know what all I need to get started building a salt water fish tank. This is my first time and I have no clue on how to get started.
maroonclownfan
Member
There are many many treads on this topic.....start there by doing a search for "setups" or "getting started" or something of that nature, and if you still have questions, please feel free to ask away. However, it is hard for people to find the time to give you a run down of everything you need without specific questions.
In addition, there are several choices to make before you even put a drop of water in a tank. Such as:
1) Fish only no live rock, Fish only with live rock, or reef tank?
2) What size can I afford/have?
3) What do I want to keep (fish, inverts, corals)?
4) What can I afford?
There is tons of info out in the forums for you, please take a little time to research it to help answer these questions.
MCF
In addition, there are several choices to make before you even put a drop of water in a tank. Such as:
1) Fish only no live rock, Fish only with live rock, or reef tank?
2) What size can I afford/have?
3) What do I want to keep (fish, inverts, corals)?
4) What can I afford?
There is tons of info out in the forums for you, please take a little time to research it to help answer these questions.
MCF
hookedonreefs
Member
This may sound rough, but I promise it's not...
Read, then read, then search the web for more reading. When you feel you're all done, you've just gotten started - read some more. Then come to this board and ask the thousand and one questions you'll have. Then you get to read.
I promise I'm not making fun of you or anyone. That is the way this hobby goes. Also, it's a 90% chance that you should NOT listen to your LFS and start setting everything up. Maroonclownfan has given you some great questions to start with. Start by trying to answer those questions as fully as possible while being informed, not just by what you think you want. This will lead you down the path of exploration that is necessary.
I don't know if you've reviewed the nitrogen cycle, but that 's another great place to start. IMO go with the shrimp thing. If you don't know what I mean search this board for "cycle" or "shrimp". There's plenty sitting around on the subject.
Lastly, you've started in a great direction. Asking first and asking swf.com people first is the best decision you could have made. Welcome to the board! Enjoy the SW experience, and ask any questions you have.
Read, then read, then search the web for more reading. When you feel you're all done, you've just gotten started - read some more. Then come to this board and ask the thousand and one questions you'll have. Then you get to read.
I promise I'm not making fun of you or anyone. That is the way this hobby goes. Also, it's a 90% chance that you should NOT listen to your LFS and start setting everything up. Maroonclownfan has given you some great questions to start with. Start by trying to answer those questions as fully as possible while being informed, not just by what you think you want. This will lead you down the path of exploration that is necessary.
I don't know if you've reviewed the nitrogen cycle, but that 's another great place to start. IMO go with the shrimp thing. If you don't know what I mean search this board for "cycle" or "shrimp". There's plenty sitting around on the subject.
Lastly, you've started in a great direction. Asking first and asking swf.com people first is the best decision you could have made. Welcome to the board! Enjoy the SW experience, and ask any questions you have.
cboyfan2020
Active Member
definatley read, read, read, eat, sleep,read,read,shower,read.
This hobby can be expensive and it will be if yyou mess up(which a lot of us have done). Research the setup you want/will eventually want and look at all the creatures you may want to keep and find out their needs. This will save you a great deal of heartache and money later on and give you much more enjoyment. This hobby is addictive but I dont know of any support groups yet so dont just jump in with your eyes closed.
Good Luck
This hobby can be expensive and it will be if yyou mess up(which a lot of us have done). Research the setup you want/will eventually want and look at all the creatures you may want to keep and find out their needs. This will save you a great deal of heartache and money later on and give you much more enjoyment. This hobby is addictive but I dont know of any support groups yet
so dont just jump in with your eyes closed.Good Luck
islandgirl
Member
Hello candy618, I just started into this myself (January 03) and I agree with everybody on this one.....READ....RESEARCH.....INTERNET...I found a few good books and a lot of information on the internet. Just do a search on the internet on saltwater fish, marine fish, etc. You'll be fine.....it is a lot of work but the results are wonderful!!!
