Newbie help

W

wrz0170

Guest
Hi Everyone,
This is my first post here and it's wonderful to see a very active forum! :)
Anyway, I have to admit that I am a total newbie to the whole saltwater adventure. I think my experience with any type of fish was some freshwater experience some eons ago and maybe a goldfish in a glass bowl before that.
Ok, the loaded question is: where in the heck does one start? I do not own one piece of equipment yet, not even so much as a tank! I do know that will be starting point.
Like anything, there isn't a lack of equipment and books to choose from. Some of it is good, some indifferent and some down right not so good. Thats where real world experience comes in.
I would also like to start some reading. Any recommended books?
Thanks in advance and I look forward to starting this venture soon :)
William
 
celacanthr

celacanthr

Active Member
Congrats on finding this site and deciding to start this hobby
1) yes a book is the 1st thing (sorry cant help with which one)
2) first decide what you want:
reef(more expenive than the rest of these)
fo(fish only)
fowlr(fish only w/live rock)
or aggressive
2) then decide what size tank you want
i would make these first THEN worry about equipment
 
E

exile415

Guest
good info celacanthr. be patient, if you go to fast.. it'll be a costy mistake.
 
blu11

blu11

Member
Coming here is a great start. Two great books to start off with are "The New Marine Aquarium: Step-By-Step Setup & Stocking Guide" by Michael Paletta and "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" by Robert Fenner. They are both excellent & most recommended for a beginner. The first I mentioned really helped me get started. It is great you starting off slow & wanting to do your research. SW is an awesome hobby but there is alot to know about it & too many people just go out and buy a tank before they know what they are doing. This site is great for searching for answers to your q's. You can pretty much find anwers to anything you want to know. But if not...just ask. WELCOME:)
 
W

wrz0170

Guest
Thanks everyone for their input! Much appreciated and thanks Blu11 for the low down on the books. I will look for these to help me get started. As with everyone, I will be on budget so this will be a gradual process which is ok. It will help me keep decisions deliberate.
I do have some starter questions
1. From some preliminary leg work, I understand that some hobbyist build their own tank as opposed to buying one. I am not adverse to the work on building one, but only if there would be somewhat of a cost savings in DIY over purchasing.
2. In choosing what I want to go with, can you have fish with reef setting? (please don't laugh at me for this question) :) I will have to read up on difference between reef and fish with live rock.
Thanks again!
William
 
celacanthr

celacanthr

Active Member
im not sure if you would save money
yes you can have fish in a reef here let me explain the difference
reef-this has corals, fish,inverts,live rock.
fowlrls-live rock, live sand, fish, and inverts.
fo-just fish sometimes mobile inverts
aggressive-1 or 2 aggressive fish that would eat most fish (often very beutiful like the lion fish)
i hope this helps :joy: h*
 
W

wrz0170

Guest
I guess I would have to add the cost of materials and then compare it to buying one. Maybe comb the classifieds for some good used tanks.
Thanks, this helps a lot. I guess I still need to narrow it down on what I would want. It will be between reef and fowlrls
William
Originally Posted by CELACANTHr
im not sure if you would save money
yes you can have fish in a reef here let me explain the difference
reef-this has corals, fish,inverts,live rock.
fowlrls-live rock, live sand, fish, and inverts.
fo-just fish sometimes mobile inverts
aggressive-1 or 2 aggressive fish that would eat most fish (often very beutiful like the lion fish)
i hope this helps :joy: h*
 
celacanthr

celacanthr

Active Member
well...
reefs
pros:beutiful, diverse.
cons:(300-1,000 dollars more)
some fish can't be kept in this type of tank
fowlrls
pros:cheaper
more diversity of fish
some corals can be kept in nonreef tanks such as non-photosynthetic gorgonians
cons:
often less color
once again hope this helps
 
W

wrz0170

Guest
helps a bunch !! h*
Originally Posted by CELACANTHr
well...
reefs
pros:beutiful, diverse.
cons:(300-1,000 dollars more)
some fish can't be kept in this type of tank
fowlrls
pros:cheaper
more diversity of fish
some corals can be kept in nonreef tanks such as non-photosynthetic gorgonians
cons:
often less color
once again hope this helps
 
W

wrz0170

Guest
Originally Posted by mandfishes
the easy guide to marine aquariums. i got it at *****. very good book. i'm just like you. good luck!

Thanks! We just got a ***** not too long ago. I will venture in and see if they have it. Does it cover the basics pretty well on Salt water?
William
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top