New to this awesome hobby

[tenderheartusa]

Hi everyone
I have been reading and watching videos about this amazing hobby .And i really want to have a saltwater fish tank .I never had any saltwater before .I had one freshwater tank before .I was thinking about 55 gallon or 75 gallon Max . what i would like to know is how much it would cost to have a 55 gallon ? i heard that the saltwater fish tank is not as easy as the freshwater tank and its very expensive too .
Could you please tell me what i would need for a 55 gallon ? like what kinda filters ?rocks?sand?.......
Would it be a good idea to buy a ready set up ? what i mean by that is i have seen so many beautiful tanks for sale on craigslist and people selling some beautiful tanks .

 

[btldreef]

Prices can vary a lot.
I purchased my 180G reef ready with sump, stand, canopy, return pump, and a few odds and ends for $600 from a local reefer that I knew through my local reef club. It is much cheaper to purchase a used tank and used equipment, but you need to be careful that copper wasn't used in the tank if you plan on keeping corals. Depending on where you are located, you may be able to find a local reef club where people sell and trade equipment.

 

[flower]

Hi,
Welcome to the site.
Saltwater IMO, is easier to maintain than freshwater tanks. I used to have to break down my freshwater tank at least once, and sometimes twice a year. I would put the fish in buckets, then vacuum the gravel, wash off all the algae on the decor, and replace almost all of the water. Then put it all back together again. There was no internet forums back then...LOL, or home computers for that matter. This site means your chances of a successful saltwater tank just tripled.
Saltwater tanks just have maybe a 3rd of the water removed then replaced (water change once a month). The cleaner critters actually do their job, and the rocks need to be blasted with a (fish only) turkey baster but not washed.
Water tests are easy, the instructions are very detailed and it only takes maybe 20 minutes max to do every test...once the tank is established I only do water tests when things look off or I'm bored.
With saltwater tanks it is a bit more expensive...LOL...gone are the days of the expensive $5.00 fish ....I haven't had freshwater tanks in a very long time, I was told my prices are very low. Anyway, the least expensive fish in saltwater is around $18.00, the most expensive fish I ever owned are the potbelly Seahorses for $120.00 each. (other places charged $145.00, and shipping on top of it)
If you keep coral, your most expensive purchase will be the lighting. If you keep seahorses, the most expensive purchase will be the chiller. Fish only systems will only need the regular fish lights and a heater. The tank bundles sold in the pet store are fine for fish only systems, but a T5 light will make those pretty colors really pop.
I always purchased my tanks new, so I never had to worry about copper. The new tanks themselves don't cost much at all, and there is no risk that way. Stands are often sold as a bundled package with the tank in a pet store, along with the filter and anything else you need like the heater and fish food flakes. I hate Craig's list, at least around by me, they all crazy people on the scam....burn me once and I'm done.
Lots of people purchase whole set ups, just remember there is usually a good reason they got out of the hobby...and you risk the possibility of adopting that reason when you get it from them....so ask lots of questions, and we can guide you to what questions to ask.

 

[tenderheartusa]

Thank you so much guys for the reply i really appreciate it .Can you guys please help me to know what i would need for a 55 gallon tank .I'm planning to have fish and corals .
How much live rocks ? How much live sand ? what kinda filter ?Do you think i would need a skimmer for this small tank ? sump ? What kinda light ?......
Thank you so much

 

[chadadams0507]

Edited*****Please do not post links to or names of competitors.****

 

[mr. limpid]

I hate to say with all the LFS going out of business you will get a good deal on there tanks. I bought mine years ago from LFS, they weren't going out of business just upgrading. If you want to start slow, meaning easy into the money, start with a predrilled tank and sump, pump, heater, basic test kits and a cheep light. Add sand and some live rock, have a list of fish and coral you want, add them slowly, start with fish. Upgrade equipment as you go, protein skimmer, calcium reactor, macro algae, light for coral, etc.

 

[tenderheartusa]

Well i checked this website and i found out that i will have to pay for the shipping which i guess it will be so exp .they going to send 110 lbs of live rock,55lbs of live sand plus the live stock .And its going to be $1a pound and i will have to go to the airport to pick it up .and i guess for the shipping it will be over than $250 maybe more .And that's for the 55 gallon .
Now my question is i was thinking about 46 gallon bow front instead of the 55 gallon .do i have to have a sump for it ?
What is the best live rock ? live sand ?
I have seen some cheap skimmer do you think its worth the money ? i'm sure that you get what you pay for it .and what is the best skimmer ?
If i will get a hob skimmer what kinda filter i will still have to buy ?
Thank you so much .

 

[meowzer]

If you look at SWF.com You will see all their rock ships free
https://www.saltwaterfish.com/Rock-Around-the-World-Combo-Pack-45-50-lbs-PLUS-FREE-Shipping_p_5776.html