New to the Hobby

[zeecue]

Hi all! - This is my first post. I have been skimming through the forums for the past few days reading up on setting up new tanks, fish, etc. I wanted to create a post so I could receive incite from all of you members who have been doing this hobby for many years.

I am thinking about setting up a new saltwater tank. I have always loved aquariums and fish, but never actually had a decent aquarium. I have had some experience with a freshwater aquarium but never with a saltwater tank.

I would like this post to be a step-by-step of the things I would need for the tank, as well as the processes I need to do before adding fish. I want to provide the fish with the best possible environment to ensure their health and well-being.

I am intersted in knowing what size tank would be best for a beginner like myself? (I have read the bigger the better for a beginner so a sudden change in tank environment is less dampening on the overall quality of the tank). Also, what would be the best equipment set up to ensure my tank is viable for the years to come? I am not so much on a budget if the equipment/resources justify keeping my fish alive and my tank healthy.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to hearing from you members.

 

[bang guy]

The budget is important for this. Not only for equipment but for Reef vs Fish tank.

Reef tanks are generally at least double the cost of a fish only.

I've never owned a cube tank but I am becoming a fan based on the tanks I see when I visit to help them out. The minimum cube for a new hobbyist would be the 80 gallon. It really is a decent footprint for a reef tank. If you want a fish only tank then the 75 or 90 gallon standard tanks might actually be a better choice and they are much less costly.

So, first, let us know what you want your end result to look like. You've perused the site so are there any systems (pictures) that stand out to you as desirable?

 

[jay0705]

I agree w bang. Its more what your looking for out of your tank. Just to touch on a few of your questions tho. Whats needed for a successful tank? Equipment wise, good filtration, good heater, refractometer, and good powerheads.
I personally believe good fully cured live rock is worth its weight in gold. If for no other reason the bio filtration it provides. Now u can start w base rock, seeded w live.
Now its up to you, tell us what your looking for out of your first sw tank.
Btw welcome to the site

 

[pegasus]

Ditto to all of the above. Think about what you want the tank to look like a few years from now. Once you make that decision, you'll have a good starting point. The equipment necessary should revolve around what you want in your tank. It's basically a choice of FOWLR or reef. FOWLR is pretty straightforward, but there are different options for a reef tank. Softies, softies with LPS, or a full- blown reef with softies, LPS, and SPS. If looking at a reef tank, I'd recommend prepping for a full reef, as you'll already have the proper equipment in place if/when you decide to try the more advanced corals. It's more cost-effective to buy the proper equipment initially than to upgrade at a later date. Just my 2c...

 

[flower]

Hi,

Welcome to the site!

A reef tank means you want corals, a softie is a type of coral, as is LPS and SPS, FOWLR is fish only, with live rock. LOL...When I first started out, I had no idea what any of those terms were, so just in case, I thought I would explain them.

The world of freshwater is as far from saltwater, as day is from night. Saltwater is forever morphing and changing, the critters are very interesting in behavior, and not only have beauty, but function within the system. You have algae eaters, diggers who clean the sand, and poison ones who can defend themselves. All sizes and colors. With saltwater, the critters have adapted to really surviving their harsh environment, and make use of every nook and cranny of the ocean (your tank as well) as food.

First purchase, a good beginners book, so you will know what questions to even ask, and it will teach you the terms of speech. I would recommend a 75g or larger, as a good starter tank. I had a really nice 75g reef tank. Lighting is the money pit on reefs, the other stuff you can purchase slowly, like GFO reactors and such. Power heads you will need for a Saltwater tank no matter what type, same with using RO (reverse osmosis) water, your own unit is best. Regular salt mix verses reef salt mix, the price is the same for whatever brand you choose. You will need a refractometer or hydrometer, heater, and live rock, for any type of SW tank.

Live rock is so called, because it has live little sea bugs on and living in them...they help keep the balance in the tank as a natural filter. Yep, even the tiny things in the ocean are part of the life system. However a few pieces of live rock and the rest dry (AKA base rock), will be good enough, the little critters will reproduce, and move into the dry rock, seeding it with life. The fish will spend all day picking at the rock and eating the bugs that are not fast enough to get away.

 

[geridoc]

You can mix some live rock with less expensive dry or base rock. However, I prefer all live rock because that increases the probabilities that you will be able to inadvertently bring in some interesting critters that you might never buy outright. Some of these might not be so good ("thumb-cracker shrimp, sometimes known as mantis shrimp - gorgeous, but will empty your tank of livestock), but many are very beneficial, and may even go undetected. Last month I was moving some rock in my 5 year old 220 gallon system and found an enormous starfish that I had never seen before, and certainly had not deliberately added, ever. It is a great feeling to know that a complex ecosystem is operating out of sight to keep things going. Now I understand where my seagrass wrasse went so quickly. i wholeheartedly agree with the comments above - tell us what you want your tank to be, and we will gladly guide you towards that goal. And...welcome to the site.

 

[zeecue]

thank you all for your replies and information you have given me so far -- to answer the question as to what I want my tank to be, I guess I need to think more about that. I love the intricacies of the saltwater habitat, but I do not want to rush into anything without first knowing and studying as much as I possibly can. when you all first started, and not being familiar with the hobby, how did you figure out "what you wanted your tank to be"?

 

[flower]

thank you all for your replies and information you have given me so far -- to answer the question as to what I want my tank to be, I guess I need to think more about that. I love the intricacies of the saltwater habitat, but I do not want to rush into anything without first knowing and studying as much as I possibly can. when you all first started, and not being familiar with the hobby, how did you figure out "what you wanted your tank to be"?

I knew I wanted a reef right off. I couldn't pull myself away from a coral exhibit, I just kept finding new stuff to be amazed at the longer I looked... it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Ahhh, and then there are seahorses.

 

[pegasus]

thank you all for your replies and information you have given me so far -- to answer the question as to what I want my tank to be, I guess I need to think more about that. I love the intricacies of the saltwater habitat, but I do not want to rush into anything without first knowing and studying as much as I possibly can. when you all first started, and not being familiar with the hobby, how did you figure out "what you wanted your tank to be"?

When I became obsessed, err, interested in the hobby, I mainly focused on educating myself on the basic stuff... which fish would be good tank mates, what I needed to test water for, how to properly set up a tank, etc., but I didn't really think about the down-the-road setup, or even what I wanted in the tank. I just started searching for a used system, and found what I thought was a good deal on a "complete" setup. It was a matured 125 gallon fish-only tank with live rock, a little sand, stand, canopy, lights, sump, skimmer, return pump, etc., so I thought I'd be set... and I'd only have $1K invested. It was torn down and ready to move when I arrived. When I got it home, I realized it wasn't really setup the way I wanted it to be. I redid all the plumbing and bought a refugium. An additional $400. At first, I wasn't really sure what I wanted the tank to look like after a year, or two, or ten. I just knew I wasn't satisfied with how it was. That's when I sat down and started planning. I knew I wanted some corals, so I prepared for that. I bought a larger skimmer and new lights. Another $1K. I also bought an RO/DI unit. It was a cheap set, and I had to replace the canisters because quality replacement filters didn't fit, which I discovered after it trashed my RO membrane. I basically rebuilt the entire RO system, replaced the RO membrane, stocked up on quality filters, and added dual refillable DI canisters. Another $500. I bought a few beginner corals, and while they were nice, I wanted more. I knew I was becoming a saltwater junkie, and I needed a bigger fix, so I started buying easy LPS corals. After those went well, I decided to try some SPS. Those went well, so I bought some more. Suddenly, the corals were sucking up elements faster than I could replace them with water changes. I had to buy additives. Daily dosing by hand grew very cumbersome, so I bought a dosing pump. Phosphates were running a little high causing algae outbreaks, so I invested in a dual-canister GFO setup. There were a lot of other tweaks here and there that'll take too long to mention.

I told this story for two reasons:
1) If I had it to do over, I would have started from scratch and bought all new equipment. I would have thought about the future, and what I wanted my tank to look like after a few years. The reason I advise you to think about the future of your tank is because it will actually cost you less in the long run if your prepare for it now. I didn't realize it at the time, and I've had to pay for that mistake. I had my tank up and running before I even considered "down the road". Only after I'd had it for awhile, did I start to imagine what it could be. I was a little behind in the race...
2) Buy it once, and you're done. If you purchase decent equipment, you won't have to constantly replace things, or have to upgrade in a few years. The key to doing this right is pre-planning. Only after I had bought the tank and made some fairly expensive changes, did I stop to think about the future. The more I looked, the more fascinated I became with a reef tank. The diversity of life in the reef drew me in like a magnet, and that's when I figured out "what I wanted my tank to be".

 

[lmforbis]

I did things the wrong way. 100% on impulse with no research and no plan. I had been keeping freshwater for a long time and had been working up to more difficult fish. When I started saltwater upwards of 18 years ago, I had finally gotten my discus to spawn. I started with an impulse buy, a 20 gallon tank a damsel and very little info. Didn't cycle the tank. I eventually bought a couple books. I read a lot of fish magazines. It didn't take long before I traded all my African cichlids in and moved the salt water to my 55. That tank gradually evolved into a soft coral reef. I had it up and running for 12 years, moved it twice. About 6 years ago it crashed when my 3 year old granddaughter dumped a whole can of flakes into the tank. When I found it a day later all was dead and smelled like the sewer backed up. I started up again about a year ago. I tend to still be a bit impulsive but am trying to work toward a final goal. I have upgraded tank size twice since then from a 45 gal hex to a 55 to a 125. I have better equipment now and a plan. I started with a new reef ready 125 for my final upgrade. Built a stand that I really like. That was in March, tank is finally stable. I have been quarantining my fish this time around. Don't have many corals yet just a few LPS. I need to add a couple more lights to my tank before I add more. I can't just go out and buy it all at once so it is one quality component at a time. I used reef saver rock and one piece of live rock. I initially used reverse osmosis water from Walmart until I could buy my own system. I built my own sump, bought a good skimmer to put in it. Recently bought two wave makers to mix up flow.
I have a second tank 40 gal that is full of salt water rocks and algae. It is done cycling but I haven't added anything but snails. It is still in the ugly stage. Final plan is full reef with anemones and SPS. A pair of ocelaris clowns and maybe a goby, mostly coral. Still need to buy the lights.

Based on all the things I have done wrong I'd say read all you can, ask as many questions as you can, be wary of the advise given at fish stores (some are great but many are just looking for a sale), and build the tank you ultimately want even if it takes a while to get there.

 

[jay0705]

I think impulse is part of the allure of this hobby. Bc u honestly never know what new shiny fish, invert, coral, ect will show up at the lfs. Just base your set up to accommodate the most diversity possible to leave as many options open.

 

[geridoc]

When I started, 42 years ago, reef wasn't even a fantasy thought. In fact, saltwater fish keeping was much of a fantasy for the home hobbyist. I went to a lecture by Stephen Spotte, and what he said about bacterial nitrogen disposal made sense to me as a soon-to-be PhD in biology, so I tried it. I had one fish live for 5 months, and folks came from all around to see this miraculous animal. Times have changed!

 

[zeecue]

All - what are some of the best books out there currently for beginners? I'd like to have something that is relatively up-to-date as far as publication goes that would include some of the newer equipment, etc.

 

[jay0705]

Ha ha ha, its all so basic now. Back then we just didn't have the tools to do the job aswell

 

[geridoc]

All - what are some of the best books out there currently for beginners? I'd like to have something that is relatively up-to-date as far as publication goes that would include some of the newer equipment, etc.

I like Robert Fenner's "Conscientious Aquariast".

 

[jay0705]

Sw aquariums for dummies. Basic but rt on w info

 

[flower]

Hi,

Both books are awesome!

 

[zeecue]

All, when selecting your aquarium size, what all did you consider? Obviously location in house plays a major factor, but I am currently looking at a 75G Tall vs. a 75G Long -- thoughts? I know with the 75G Long there will be more surface area for rocks, sand, etc. but would the number of fish count remain the same versus a 75G Tall tank?

 

[lmforbis]

I first figured out how big I could go. Then could I afford it. Then had to convince my husband it was his idea.
I'd go with the 75 long for a number of reasons.
1) way easier to clean and do maintanance on the shallower tank.
2) fish choices. Even though the volume is the same there is more available territory in the long and more swimming space. You can keep more fish happy in a long tank.
3) you need stronger lights to get deeper in the tank if you want coral.

 

[jay0705]

I have to agree. Generally length is your friend. Fish have more room to swim length wise, shallower for better light penetration.