Best Setup

[ConanTheLibraia]

Lately I've been interested in saltwater and reef tanks, and have been trying to expand my knowledge. I am still not to clear on everything that is required for a good, healthy tank enviroment. In your opinion, what is the best possible setup a begginer could have? I can't really see myself getting one very soon although I will be sure to see where I'm at a year or two from now and untill then.........

 

[fishfreek]

Well for a beginner I would go with a 55 gal tank. if thats out of your budget or size limits then the smallest I would go would be a 30 gal long tank.

When at all possible get a tank with the most suface area. Thus if given a choice between a long or high setup go with the long. This will give you more surface area for gas exchange.

Other minimums would be salt mix (obvsiously). A marine test kit for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, salinity, alkinity at least. If you go with a more natural setup then live rock and live sand for filtration plus a protein skimmer. If your not bothered with that then a good sized canister filter or wet/dry filter and skimmer.

What is important is to know what your goals are to spec a setup to meet those goals. if your only going for a fish only setup then you need less than if your looking for a reef setup.

 

[shawmutt]

lol conan I feel your pain...getting bit by the salt bug!

 

[michealprater]

I would recommend reading in the articles section. Great info there on starting a new tank.

 

[ConanTheLibraia]

Thanks a lot, I really want a saltwater tank but, I am waiting to see if I am sereous enough about it because normally I end up wanting something completly different in a few weeks.

 

[BillyZ]

decide in general what it is you want, spec out the list of things you'll need, then go shoping with a pen and paper. write down the cost of everything you've written down you've needed. Add 15% for the "oh I forgot that" factor. Now, look at the total and tell yourself you probably wont have any fish in it for at least 1-2 months, probably longer if you're going for a Reef system. If you're interested in spending the cash and patient enough to wait that long and you still want it... then you want it enough. SW tanks take about 2 to 3 times the work of a FW tank IMO. (I've run FW tanks for 10+ years)

I'm not trying to scare you off, you just sounded unsure and it's best for you and the fish you'll buy if you're sure you really want this.

 

[ConanTheLibraia]

I should get a job being a caddy this summer at a country club. ($20 a bag, plus tips) so hopefully I'll eventually have some decent cash. I'm not exactly sure about everything that is required. I probably won't be starting a saltwater aquarium too soon either. I'm getting a 55 gallon for free from a neighbor, and have been thinking about the idea of having that be saltwater, and when I get that, I was thinking I would just have one killer tank I could put all of my effort into, rather than having 3. A reef would be awesome, but I am thinking since it would be my first saltwater setup maybie I should start off with fish only, then gradually add things on here and there and have a reef or somthing along those lines. I know I'd like a sump and have a hang on overflow rather than getting the tank drilled. For the sump I could use the 28 gallon tank I have now. I am thinking I outa get a protien skimmer if possible too. Minus the decor, I think I would also need a good heater (would I get a chiller or fan instead if the lighting gives off a lot of heat?) , lighting, and some pumpage.
Itd be a good idea to see someones aquarium and have them explain it all to me, or sit down and have a person to person talk with someone who knows what theyre doing (not that you guys dont or this board wont be helpful or anything.) I have read the articles on this site, and think I have an alright understanding of the absolute basics. Maybie this should be moved to the getting started section.....

 

[ConanTheLibraia]

Could somthing like this workout?, please tell me what you think and if it will work, this wouldnt be a whole system, but I am thinking these would be the main components.
Get the tidepool overflow skimmer (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=6&pCatId=3635)
Hook that up to the tidepool bio-wheel filtration (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=6&pCatId=3589)
the tidepool bio-wheel filtration sort of has a sump, in the sump I would put a heater if needed, and I would put a sea clear protien skimmer in the sump (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=6&pCatId=3589)
My only worry, is if the protein skimmer would fit, the protien skimmer measures 18" high, where the sump measures 16 1/2" high, although but the protien skimmer has a large portion at the top that is out of the water.
No rush or anything, but I am wondering if somthing like this would work out, it seems pretty good quality and easy.