starting out
- Thread starter littleguy
- Start date
carrie1429
Active Member
Hi and welcome to the board,
There are a lot of young people (as young as 12) starting saltwater so its not uncommon, I am almost 15.
With $300 you can't really do too much, at least if you want your tank to look real with live rock and stuff. My little 26 gallon cost $2000. How big is your tank?
There are a lot of young people (as young as 12) starting saltwater so its not uncommon, I am almost 15.
With $300 you can't really do too much, at least if you want your tank to look real with live rock and stuff. My little 26 gallon cost $2000. How big is your tank?
broomer5
Active Member
Hi
If you haven't already done so, I would first suggest getting a couple of good books on the hobby, to read up on the basics.
The public library may have some, or you can buy them online or at a good local fish/pet store.
There are tons of sites online as well, that are loaded with good information - plus this site has some really friendly people that will be willing to answer many of your questions.
What do you have in mind for this tank ?
Whatever you have in mind - I can almost bet it will change as you start getting involved in marine tanks. It happened to me, and I'd guess it has happened to most everyone else here.
It's a very addicting and rewarding hobby.
Welcome to the board - start asking specific questions - and you'll get very specific answers.
Different opinions - but that's part of it
If you haven't already done so, I would first suggest getting a couple of good books on the hobby, to read up on the basics.
The public library may have some, or you can buy them online or at a good local fish/pet store.
There are tons of sites online as well, that are loaded with good information - plus this site has some really friendly people that will be willing to answer many of your questions.
What do you have in mind for this tank ?
Whatever you have in mind - I can almost bet it will change as you start getting involved in marine tanks. It happened to me, and I'd guess it has happened to most everyone else here.
It's a very addicting and rewarding hobby.
Welcome to the board - start asking specific questions - and you'll get very specific answers.
Different opinions - but that's part of it
carrie1429
Active Member
There are a lot of different opinions on witch tank size to start with, usually its the bigger the tank the better. I personally think a good tank size to start off with is a 55 gallon. Smaller tanks are a bit more difficult some people say. The basic things you need to start with is a test kit, salt, hydrometer (salt measure), filter, live rock, live sand (oppitional). The live rock I think is a good thing to have because it comes from the oceam, and it is great for biological filteration, witch means the rock acts as a filter. Also on the rock you'll get many different things growong on it like mushrooms, plants, different types of algea, ect. It can be a bit pricy but its worth it. Also live sand is a good thing to have, like the live rock it has many ting organisma living in it and very benificial to your tank because it helps reduce deadly ammonia and nitrates in thew water, actually the deeper the sand the better. A DSB (deep sand bed) is what really helps with the water parameters. There is also crushed coral but I do not reccommend this because it does not help with the nitrates and you have to clean it manually, with live sand the inverts clean it for you. As for a filter I just use a wet/dry bio wheel filter and it works great for me, but there are also sumps and refug-somthing forgot what its called, these cost a lot more than the wet/dry filters though.
I reccommend using RO or DI water, this water IMO is better to use in your tank. Your salinity level should be around 1.020-1.025. After salt water is added then you can add sand rock whatever, you do not have to add rock when you first set it up it can be added when ever you want. You must let your tank cycle before adding any fish or inverts. The cyclce is when, well I'm not that good at explaining the cycle but its when the nitrite, nitrate and ammonia levels go up and down. In saltwater to keep a healthy tank you must be patient. I know some new people will go out and buy fish or somthing within the first week or so, a definite no no in saltwater. IMO you should add fish very slowly to your tank and wait a while after your tank cycles. The cycle can take from 2 weeks to 2 months, each tank has a different cycle period, you will know when your cycle is finished when all your levels are fine and you will see a light brown coloered algea covering the sand, rock and glass, this is called diatoms and a sign that your cycle is nearly finished. You can wait for it to go away or you can add inverts, this is the time IMO when its safe to add inverts. Your water parameters should be
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0-10
Ammonia: 0
Ph: 8.1-8.4
Calcium: 400-500
You should have a clean up crew in your tank (inverts), such as snails, aquatic hermit crabs, starfish, shrimp ect. These will eat uneated fish food or detris in your tank wich is why they are called a clean up crew. Note: inverts are sensitive to salinity and drastic water changes so be careful when adding them and hat your salinity stays in one spot.
I reccommend using RO or DI water, this water IMO is better to use in your tank. Your salinity level should be around 1.020-1.025. After salt water is added then you can add sand rock whatever, you do not have to add rock when you first set it up it can be added when ever you want. You must let your tank cycle before adding any fish or inverts. The cyclce is when, well I'm not that good at explaining the cycle but its when the nitrite, nitrate and ammonia levels go up and down. In saltwater to keep a healthy tank you must be patient. I know some new people will go out and buy fish or somthing within the first week or so, a definite no no in saltwater. IMO you should add fish very slowly to your tank and wait a while after your tank cycles. The cycle can take from 2 weeks to 2 months, each tank has a different cycle period, you will know when your cycle is finished when all your levels are fine and you will see a light brown coloered algea covering the sand, rock and glass, this is called diatoms and a sign that your cycle is nearly finished. You can wait for it to go away or you can add inverts, this is the time IMO when its safe to add inverts. Your water parameters should be
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0-10
Ammonia: 0
Ph: 8.1-8.4
Calcium: 400-500
You should have a clean up crew in your tank (inverts), such as snails, aquatic hermit crabs, starfish, shrimp ect. These will eat uneated fish food or detris in your tank wich is why they are called a clean up crew. Note: inverts are sensitive to salinity and drastic water changes so be careful when adding them and hat your salinity stays in one spot.
j21kickster
Active Member
A very good book i recomend you read is The New Marine Aquatist byMichael Paletta it is around 20$ and tell you everything you need to start off. It is awsome for the beginner
j21kickster
Active Member
Sorry, The New Marine Aquarium, sometimes i get my titles mixed
nm reef
Active Member
I'd suggest a couple of things:
Be real nice to dad and get him involved...that may help increase your budget! Like the folks above mentioned do all the research and reading you can.Below are a couple of links that will provide a lot of basic information on reefkeeping in general...plus they cover most of the equipment needed......it'll serve as a good source of information until you get your hands on some of the books available. Last.....plan well and be patient....a mature / stable saltwater system takes time and effort(not to mention funds)...but the end result is well worth the effort.
reefkeeping 101
Starting with Marines
Be real nice to dad and get him involved...that may help increase your budget! Like the folks above mentioned do all the research and reading you can.Below are a couple of links that will provide a lot of basic information on reefkeeping in general...plus they cover most of the equipment needed......it'll serve as a good source of information until you get your hands on some of the books available. Last.....plan well and be patient....a mature / stable saltwater system takes time and effort(not to mention funds)...but the end result is well worth the effort.
reefkeeping 101
Starting with Marines
angelofish
Member
Read ,read ,read ,and then read some more. This board and about.com are full of nice people who went through alot and can help you with their valuable knowledge. Mistakes are expensive in this hobby. Decide wether you want a fish only,fish and live rock,or a reef tank. I wouldnt try a reef until you gain alot of experience and $$$.Search your local newspaper's want ads. You can get alot of nice deals. Check ---- too. You might get lucky and find something near you. Take your time!!!
Take your time!!!