Thinking of doing a 37 gal salt water tank.I know nothing!!!

carie

carie

New Member
I have 10 gal freshwater setup now. But, love the salt water fish so pretty. I'm told it hard do salt water. Ok What I like to know is what is needed to get started. I'm looking at 37gal with a ecilpes 3 hood ( light and filter built in hood ) and cabinet. What else would need ? Is the hood with fliter ok?How do I setup for salt water? How many fish can I have? Also, what I got do keep tank going? like check water, water changes etc........ What this live rock or sand ...........So, do want do this. I want to this or not and how costly is it .I really enjoy my fish I know I want do salt water.......now or later.
Thanks ..........Carie
 
hopkins6

hopkins6

Member
People told me it was hard to but once you get the hang of it, in my opinion it is not that hard. Just don't get fish until about a month into when you get live rock. I have the Eclipse 3 hood also. That hood does not have enough power to have corals except some mushrooms which are doin fine in my tank cause i got the blue light thing. You can get about an inch of fish every five gallons but everyone says something different. Tell me if you have any more Q's
 
sparrow

sparrow

New Member
There is so much info that you will need, just remember one step at a time.
There is a forum 'advice for new hobbyists' in the beginning of this board that helps out a lot.
A site that helped me was how to set up a saltwater aquarium.
Click here: How To Set Up A Saltwater Aquarium In 10 Easy Steps
I just started my tank and I was overwhelmed with all the info out there, but so far things are go pretter good.
:D
 
carie

carie

New Member
Hey, Thanks for info........I'll check it out for sure Sparrow.
Hi hopkins6 Ok I guess I need lots help!!! What do you mean not enough power for coral? Power to do what? I really like the idea of Eclipse 3 hood. 2 in one. Can anybody list what I need to buy to get started? Anybody got any more in put on the Eclipse 3 hood 12x30 ?? Should buy or not???? 37 gal tank 12x30x23 with Eclipse 3 hood.
 
hopkins6

hopkins6

Member
Those corals need alot of watts to survive, ( the lighting is the food source)
The eclipse 3 does not have enough watts except for low lighting mushrooms or polyps. any more Q's email me at teazylax6@aol.com
 
dad&son

dad&son

Member
My honest opinion would be spend a week or two reading these boards. I wish I had before we started our tank its so much easier to do it right fromt he beggining then it is to try and fix your mistakes along the way .And the one thing that you must have above all is patience
good luck
 
meadbhb

meadbhb

Member
Hiya,
I have that same tank, a 37 gallon eclipse with the hood. They make a retro fit kit for the hood. My tanks been up for 7 months now and I haven't lost a single coral. Now fish on the other hand ::Grin:: Dumb mistakes.
Meadbhb
 
ophiura

ophiura

Active Member
I would seriously stop and think more about the type of tank, etc. Not a big fan of the eclipse system for saltwater tanks - definitely not once you get over 20 or so gallons. You have to do a modification for many things (more lighting, skimmer, etc). I would sit down, read, think about things you like to keep, etc. Space is also a consideration. Ask lots of questions before hand. If there is a certain fish you like, for example, that may influence what sort of tank you buy. There is a big difference, case in point, between a 29g tank and a 30g tank (not in volume but in the 'footprint') that would make certain fish suitable for the 30 but not the 29.
Do not rush into purchasing a tank, IMO. :yes:
 
snipe

snipe

Active Member
Best bet is to DIY everything. Dont buy combos of anything buy a tank then buy a stand then get lights with legs or a canopy and put the lights in there. Get a good emporer filter and a get a good skimmer then get around 1lb of live rock per gallon and around 40lbs of live sand. Get some salt "something for saltwater tanks not just table salt". And get a couple cocktail shrimp and cycle the tank. Be sure and have a master test kit on hand to to test the water during the cycle.
 
carie

carie

New Member
Ok I been reading lets see if I understanding things.
I need Tank, Light ,Heater,Pump, Powerhead, Skimmer. I just want start out with live sand and rock. Later when I understand more coral...At this point any light be ok right?? I want clown fish Not sure what be good with them.....Thanks everybody for trying help me. I'm going to local pet store tomorrow and ask questions an see what all cost me...
 
snipe

snipe

Active Member
For a 37 I would get 2 powerheads like maxi jet 400's or 600's. I would buy as mutch as I could offline it would be way way cheaper. Even live rock will be cheaper even "with" shipping. Buy as mutch as you can from 1 site it will save on shipping.
And for a fishonly tank you can use anytype of light you want though if you plan on going reef later many say to get it now so you already have it. But thats your decision. In a 37 gallon I would have a pair of clowns a dwarf angle and mabey 3 reef chromis. Or I would go the other way and have a dwarf lion and a angler fish but thats just me lol.
 
carie

carie

New Member
I think you mean online. You got any place online you buy from???? You help me alot......Some ppl say buy a book. I guess there way of not helping. Which I havebought a book. but, still have alot questions...
 
snipe

snipe

Active Member
Offline/online bolth the same. I would post places but I would get in trouble. Do you have an email there are only a few sites that I know of and you have probly seen them already. Though I would just use google and search I would try to buy as mutch as I could from one site to save on shipping. You might even use that famouse auction site they have come good stuff also.
 
carie

carie

New Member
I went to local pet stores and bought all. I'm going spend the day set it up. One store was very helpful. told me what I need an don't need. I was surprised what I don't need. I only want fish, live sand and rock. I'll let you know how it goes.
Thanks a again ...........Oh, one question what sould salt read.
 
tigerlover

tigerlover

Member
I would have recommended a larger tank for you, it leaves more margin for error, but anyways. I also recommend that you buy The Concientous Marine Aquarist, great book, tells you everything you need to know. Parameters, how to set up, cycle, what to put in it, how to stock, what to stock, how to treat them, on and on and on. I can't say enough about it.
But on the stocking, remember to start with small, hardy fish that will stay small and hardy, and don't exceed about 6 small fish, which should be added over the course of several months.
I recommend that you add a few peaceful damsels, such as chromis, at first, to make sure the tank is okay, they are hardy, inexpensive, and if you get the right kind, peaceful.
 
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