Setting up first tank

[jayco]

I want to set up an marine tank. This would my first venture in the salt water world. I presently have a 45 gal fresh water tank that has been up and running to 3 yrs.
So what is the minimum tank size? 40, 50, 60? I've done some reading on this subject and realize that salt requires more "time" than fresh water.
I appreciate info on what fish to start with; filters, lighting, live rock, etc.
Thanks!

 

[fshhub]

wher to start??
Any size can work, but larger is easier. As for time, if set up properly, much of the work can be done for you(by the inhabitants and engineering) IMO, the better tanks for beginners are 55 to 125 RECTANGULAR TANKS, the lower profile and larger foot print is creates a larger bio filter which willhelp you out, ane th more gallonage creates for a larger margin of error.
as for lighting and so on, do you want a reef or fish only or a fish only with live rock?? answers will vary greatly based upon your response there.
same with filters and fish selection
i like reefs, and IMO, in a reef i would use plenty of lr, alot of circulation and a skimmer with a deep sand bed, this will act as your filtration and will work very nicely, but in a fish only, then other methods can and sometimes should be employed(depending on the fish you want)
fish selection is gonna vary greatly as well, tank size will affect this greatly, as well as reef or not, some fish just are not reef safe, and some are marginal depending on the inverts you may want.
I am sure i did not help much, but reccomendations and requirements vary greatly in each one of those areas.
but, welcome aboard, it is a very rewarding hobby

 

[jayco]

Thanks for the input you all have given me! And thanks for the "warm" reception.
I'm going to start out with a fish and live rock tank. And I'll go slowly. I want this new adventure to work correctly from the get go.
I'll keep you posted.

 

[bryanh]

Jay,
I am new to this hobby as well. I dont even have a FW tank to start with, so I am starting from the very beginning. What I can offer is this: read as much as you can about what your intended end point will be. Look at other tanks that are what you want yours to be. Do what they do. This is not to say copy exactly everything they do, but if you like the tank then find out what type equipment they are running and do something similar.
Also, check with the people on the board before you make a purchase. Most LFS, if not all, are more concerned about their bottom line when they are giving you the pitch on a product They will try to sell you something you may not need. The people on this board care about whether or not you succeed, and are willing to help in any way possible. Listen, read, and go slow. Keep us posted on how things go.

 

[sterling]

Jay, I started out with a 40 gallon FO and decided wanted more/better and got a 125 gallon. Now I've dived into the corals and inverts and I'm having a ball watching and learning. I've had salt tanks 30 years ago and about 9 months ago decided to try again. I feel like before was the "age of the dinosaurs" as far as technology for running a salt tank, but I did manage to have a couple going then. But now, it's sooooo much easier, although still time consuming with maintenance, but the critters you can keep are fascinating.
At any rate, I'm rambling, I have a CPR wet/dry system that has the built in protein skimmer, but also run two Emporer 400's on it, mostly just for top water movement (work great). I need more LR, but have a 3 1/2" sand bed with aragonite and LS.
As far as lighting, I would have liked MH but have JBJ power compacts which are doing fine for what I've got in the way of corals.
Have fun, enjoy, ask questions....that's how I've learned.

 

[jayco]

Well what do think of acrylic tanks particularly for salt? The down side is that they're soooooo expensive!!! At the hospital that I work at (I'm a Trauma Nurse, ER stuff) we have several Salt Water tanks up and running. Anyway, from what I can tell all the pumping is either under the sand or on the side (out of view).
From an aesthetic point of view it looks VERY neat and clean.
But what I wonder about is leaks; both short term and long.

 

[marine fanatic]

JayCo,
Welcome to the wonderful world of saltwater
Regarding your question about acrylic tanks and leaks. From what I have read, acrylic tanks are less likely to leak due to the fact that glass can crack. I think the most important aspect to a well sealed acrylic tank is the seams..if they are done correctly and were done by using quality sealant, they should be fine.
Also, listen to the Sharks, they are some smart fellars hehe