Where to start.

[bryanh]

How about a few questions from a complete newbie?! Well, first an introduction. My name is Bryan and I live in south Georgia. I enjoy golf, cars, and saltwater fish. I have had a freshwater tank before, but never a saltwater tank, much-less a reef. But I do love to sit and watch most reef set-ups, so ive decided to try and build my own So, here goes. I have nothing at all to start this endeavor with right now, equipment-wise. However, I know someone who is selling a 55 gallon freshwater aquarium set-up. I figured that I could start out with that and keep it going as I do my research into reef building. The measurements are 48x13x20. Is this a good way to start? I can make that transformation to saltwater later, right? Or is it better to start out with all new equipment that has never been used before? This tank seems to be a good deal to me, and should get me going nicely. TIA

 

[pstanley]

Welcome to the board Brian. The 55 gallon tank would be a good starting size. It doesn't matter if it came from freshwater first or not. You don't give any additional info as to what comes with the freshwater tank so I really can't help you too much there as far as what equipment can be used and what can't. If you are planning on a reef tank than chances are the lighting will have to be upgraded as will the filtration (for example adding a skimmer). Hope this helps.

 

[robchuck]

You also want to be sure that the tank has never received a copper treatment while it was set up for FW. Copper is harmless to marine fish, but very toxic to marine inverts. HTH

 

[bryanh]

Thanks for the quick reply! I am not sure what all comes with the tanks either. I still have to go look at it, but or the tank, stand, hood, lights, filter, and around a dozen fish they are asking $150. I dont know if anything other than the tank is usable for a reef, but I figured that it was a good a starting point as any. Plus i can watch the freshwater fish as I do my saltwater research!

 

[bryanh]

Rob,
is there any way to check whether or not it has been treated with copper? If the current owner does not know, then this tank may not be a good investment. If it has been treated, is there any way to clean it?

 

[robchuck]

$150 is an incredible deal, though you'll spend a pretty penny on upgrading to SW equipment. As for the copper, the original owner would be the best source of info, but if you're not sure, do some searches on this board for "copper" or go into the disease and treatment section and ask around there. There are some very knowledgeable and experienced folks here. And again, welcome to the board and to the hobby!

 

[dcox88]

to give you an idea, I got a 55+ freshwater total setup and gave $250 for it. My sister works for a LFS and the owner gave me a deal.

 

[bryanh]

Not sure about my LFS, its kinda small. Anybody have any recommendations, online or otherwise, about where to look for a tank?

 

[bryanh]

Thanks! I am going to check th LFS tomorrow about ordering a tank. Any thoughts, pro or con, on acrylic tanks? They seem to be higher priced than glass, but are they better in any way?

 

[pstanley]

I agree with everything except that a 75 gallon tank is needed. A 55 would be a fine starting size for a reef tank and there is absolutely no difference between a freshwater 55 and a saltwater 55.

 

[angelap]

Hi Bryanh, I live in south Georgia too. I just set up my first saltwater tank about 5 weeks ago. I don't know if you are close to Nashville, Ga or not, but there was a 90 gal freshswater setup for sale there last week for $300. It came with a tank, filter, wood stand and some fish. I'm not sure if they still have it for sale or not, but I can give you the number if your are interested. I also may know where a 55 gal is for sale, but I think it is just the tank and stand and I'm not sure about a price on that one. I found my tank on the Ocala Florida classified website ocala4sale.com. A lot of times they have entire saltwater setups there for about $700 but it's quite a drive to pick it up. I got lucky with mine. I found it on that website and they brought it to me. I traded my amazon parrot that I had about $300 in for their $700 saltwater setup. It came with tank, wood stand and canopy, VHO lights, powerhead, UGF (which I didn't use, I bought a wet/dry) and several powerheads and other odds and ends. I really lucked up on that one! Anyway, let me know if you are interested in either of those tanks and I'll see what I can find out for you.
Angela

 

[bryanh]

Angela,
If the 90 gal is still available I would definately be interested in it. I dont know where Nashville is, but I am sure I could find it. I am in Americus. About 2.5 hours south of Atlanta. If you could get the info on that tank, I would appreciate it.

 

[angelap]

bryanh, I checked on the 90 gal and it is already sold. But the 55 gal may be available. They are supposed to let me know this afternoon. Nashville is about 45 minutes south of Tifton and about 45 minutes north of Valdosta. I will post a message as soon as I find out about the 55 Gal.
Thanks,
Angela

 

[bryanh]

OK, I did some looking around today. LFS was not much help, however there are 2 stores about 35 minutes away that were! One guy was very heplful, but he was already trying to sell me the whole schmeer(sp?). Tank, skimmer, pumps, trickle filter, denitrifier, orp sensor. He just kept on and on. However, he seemed pretty knowledgable for the most part. They have a website, but since I dont know this BB's policy on advertising other peoples sites on their board, I wont post it yet. I think that he is a little high on his tanks, so I may consider making him an offer. If I order a tank online w/ stand and canopy it will run somewhere around $575 shipping included. I am talking about an AGA 72gal bowfront with overflow built in. He has the same thing for $700. I figure he could take the offer, make a little less money to start with, but gain a customer.
The second store I went to offered about the same thing only they were even higher. He did however have an Ocean View 100 gal. rectangular with pine stand and canopy for $650. This tank, for its size, seems reasonable. Anyone have any experience with this company or their tanks? One thing this guy told me was "do not use any substrate". I asked why and he told me that most reefs do not touch the sand anyway and that I wouldn have any lower growth in the tank. Plus the jets will churn the sand and it will fall on the inverts and cause them to be uncomfortable and therefore not as natural looking or colorful.
I know I have talked alot about this, but I want to be sure I am making the right decision as far as: 1. How much should the tank run me, 2. Who I should trust more, and who gives me the correct info, and 3. Where I will purchase my tank.
Of course, no matter what anyone tells me, if they are to gain financially from me, I will definately run it by you guys to make sure.
Thanks

 

[robchuck]

Bryan,
Here's some advice I can offer for your questions:
1. Do some shopping around. You're bound to find a good deal somewhere on what you're looking for. Check the papers, and try making a deal w/ the LFS, even though he's trying to sell you things like a denitrifier and orp sensor (???). Which leads me into #2. A LFS can offer you an opinion, but remember, that opinion is helping them to drive a sale. I would trust my instinct the most, but take advice from folks on this board, and develop opinions gained through their experience and their trials and errors. This board has helped me to have a very successful tank IMO, and I only wonder how it would be if I took some of the advice my LFS offered. In regards to the "do not use any substrate" line, I would do a little research on DSB's or CC for that matter, and see how they have worked in other's tanks. I can't imagine a tank w/o any substrate. I'm not condemning LFS's by any means, but just remember, their advice is only one opinion, and is also driven by a bottom line.
Good luck!

 

[bryanh]

Thats the same thought that I had, the fact that their opinion was driven by a bottom line. I am still shopping around for the tank. The plan I have right now, and correct me if I am wrong, is to get all tank components first. Assemble the entire set-up and understand how everything works and flows before I consider adding any LS or LR to it. I want to make sure everything is correctly working before I add any life to the tank.

 

[robchuck]

Obtaining a knowledge of the mechanics of your tank is an easy oversight to make, especially when you walk into a LFS and see all the tempting livestock. I applaud your patience in getting your feet wet in this hobby.
Best of Luck!

 

[bryanh]

NO,NO,NO dont say wet feet! With my luck that just might happen. Only want wet fish, rocks, sand, inverts, etc. LOL
Thanks Rob

 

[bryanh]

I am definately going with a DSB as my substrate. I have read alot of posts on that subject, and it seems to be the way to go. The guy at the LFS told me that the jets that create the current in the water will stir up the sand. In turn it will fall back down on the corals and irritate them, causing them to not open fully or not be as colorful. Anyone had this happen?