New to the boards

[aaronz]

Well here is my question. My best friend and I just moved into our apartment and we were thinking of going with a salt water tank. We both have had fresh water tanks all of our lives with fish that are always healthy and live out the extent of there expected age limit. Basically we take good care of our fish. Anyways we just moved into an apartment and were thinking about going with a salt water tank setup. I have been reading bits and pieces but really havent found a good true set-up article that I like. My questions and specifications are as follows:
We will be home in the morning and mid day and at night. We are both in college and only have the weekends truely off for hour plus times ( meaning on weekdays we really dont have a straigh 4 hour break with class and work). We want something small, but nice. We were thinking maybe two or three clown fish and an angle fish. Which brought us to a 50 gal tank with two clown fish and an angle fish ( guessing). We have not bought any supplies yet and would like a decent list if one is floating out on the internet, or a good store (online) that offers a nice starter kit. Money is an option and it is not. Agian we are in college but would be willing to afford a nicer, quality set up. We don't want something huge and ellaborate but something that requires attention and also draws attnetion from guest. Anything you guys can provide would be appreciated. Thanks for you time>
Aaron :help:

 

[1journeyman]

Welcome to the boards!
Go out and by Fenner's "A conscientious Marine Aquarist". It will explain a lot of the set up options to you. There is no one perfect way to set up a tank. Fenner's book explains the different benefits of doing things different ways.
If you do things right, you won't need 3-4 hours at a time for taking care of the tank.
Saltwater is a whole new world compared to freshwater.
Once again, welcome!

 

[carshark]

ive done freshwater forever, i raised arowana, and cichlids...i thought no problem, salt cant be that hard...

. well yes grab that book of fenner's. it has very vital information, as well as suggestion tips on where to start. Id start with fish only with live rock, it can be very appealing to the eye, and very cost effective to start. some of the things you used(freshwater) can be used for smaller saltwater set ups. ie biowheel filters, heaters, timers, and for a little while until you want better growth and color, you can use the lights.

 

[computrgk]

yeah hell i'm still running the old freshwater stuff lights filters everything and it's FOWLR although not for long movin on up in the Saltwater world congrats on the choice to move to SW it's very rewarding and becomes more of an obsession than a hobby you'll be at the LFS every week just staring at the new stuff or like me the new LR
Good luck

 

[misty7850]

Originally Posted by 1journeyman
Welcome to the boards!
Go out and by Fenner's "A conscientious Marine Aquarist". It will explain a lot of the set up options to you. There is no one perfect way to set up a tank. Fenner's book explains the different benefits of doing things different ways.
If you do things right, you won't need 3-4 hours at a time for taking care of the tank.
Saltwater is a whole new world compared to freshwater.
Once again, welcome!

Welcome to the boards, I agree with 1journeyman, "A consceintious Marine Aquarist" by Fenner is a good book to read.. very informative

 

[fishy7]

Hi AaronZ

I have many of the same questions, and I bought Fenner's book. It's a VERY smart investment. Making the jump to SW is a pretty big undertaking and this book outlines the basic aspects of saltwater tanks. It will set you up for success!

It answered pretty much all my questions and gave a solid direction on what type of setup is needed based on tank size, inhabitants and so on.....
I am new to this hobby and this book is a must for all newbee's IMO......
Welcome again!

 

[kdfrosty]

Yup, that book's a great investment. I currently have a 50g reef that houses a Bicolor Blenny, Yellow Watchman Goby, a Flame Angel, and several corals. It's safe to keep a dwarf angel (FOWLR), but definitely not a full size angel in a 50g.

 

[aaronz]

thanks guys. I will deffinitly pick one up ass soon as possible. I was reading through some FAQ post on here and I think the right tank that my roomate and I are going for is maybe 35+ gallons, 2 clown fish, 3+ live rocks ( filled but not crowded), Live sand, Cleaner shrimp(2,3???) and some sort of anenome ( something the clown fish can feel at home in). LEt me knwo what you would recomend or suggest. The clown fish is the main goal of our tanks, but we also like that natural erotix look that you get with a nicely done sw tank. Thanks for the input.

 

[carshark]

well to house an anemone, you will need sufficient lighting as well as a reef set up. this includes much more filtration, as inverts are really sensitive to a no tolerant 0 on all levels pertaining to toxins, ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, calcium needs to be proper, alkalinity needs to be low, there are a lot more factors that goes into a reef than just a FOWLR set up.. good luck, read fenner's book, it will outline this as well... and as far as the LR situation, the more you get the better, it is an excellent filtration system as well as great cover and overall look of your tank. if you could manage about 35 lbs. in your 35 gal. id recommend it..

 

[jdragunas]

my 2 cents:
The larger the tank, the easier it is to care for. So if you can afford the 50 gal, i'd go with it... you can also put more fish in it in the long run...
Great book! Another good one is the pocket handguide to marine fish. It tells you everything you need to know about every fish you could buy, such as the size tank needed, what the fish eat, who they get along with, who they don't, if they're reef safe, and much more.
Welcome and good luck!

 

[1journeyman]

Originally Posted by jdragunas
my 2 cents:
... Another good one is the pocket handguide to marine fish. Welcome and good luck!

Absolutely.