New guy checking in

[Wizaugh]

I've been lurking around here for a week or so and figured I'd go ahead and register. There's lots of great info here! I've got a couple ?'s for you guys. I'm thinking about starting a marine aquarium, but I have no experience with them at all. I've never even had a FW tank. Given that info is this something I shouldnt get into? I mean, would it be smarter to start off with a FW then go SW?
Second, can anyone reccomend the book "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist". I was told buy a guy at the LFS that it was the best, which also happened to be the most expensive, go figure.
I would like to get something small, 20 gallon or so to begin with, and if I do well with it I would upgrade to a 120+ and use the smaller on for a QT.

Thanks in advance! Expect a lot of questions (probably all dumb) from me in the future.

 

[stevelikesfish]

Hi there!

I too am new. Ive been interested in aquatics for a long time, but have only recently just started keeping a FW tank. Its a very addictive hobby - I WARN YOU !!

I didnt even realise marine tanks existed as here in the UK, marine specialists are few and far between. Anyways, I'm taking the leap as you are, so dont be afraid. I think the best option is to just research research research! Do things slowly, listen to advise, and dont try shortcuts, as they will inevitably lead to worse things...

Im on week 2 of my tank maturing, and its pretty exciting. Especially when you get your live rock in!

Good luck!

 

[fishfreek]

HI both of you.

Dont think not comming from the FW side of things will affect you. It dosent really make a difference as there are a few simularties between FW and SW but there are many more differenaces.

The key is to start slow and dont try to rush things. Many newbies try to rush things and expect showcase results in a short period of time.

The book that was recommended to you IS IMO one of the very best resources. If you dont feel like paying LFS prices you can get it from amazon via our library link. http://www.aquariumadvice.com/saltbook.php Depending on your ultimate goals other books might be of interest to you like Aquarium Corals or Reef Inverts

Honestly you will have better results and an easier time keeping a larger system. While you can start with a 20gal SW and be sucesseful remember that the # of fish and the selection will be quite limited. If your budget can allow I would suggest something a little larger as this will give you some greater flexability as well as water stability when cycling and working to get your feeding amounts and habits established.

For both of you what are your ultimate goals with a SW tank. Are you just looking to keep the colorful SW fish or do you wish to replicate the SW Reef? Depending on what direction you wish to go can have a big impact on the size and type of equipment recommended even at the beginning stages.

Afterall no one likes to buy stuff twice.

 

[Corty]

Patience and knowledge pay off a *lot*. Be prepared to spend more time learning than doing, although some of it will be learning *through* doing.

I don't think SW is harder than FW, but it is more expensive, and I find it more obnoxious to set up.

I suggest FW for starting not because it's easier, but because it's cheaper.

However, it all depends on how much work, money, and time you're willing to put into it, as well as what you want.

I wouldn't suggest anything smaller than a 55 gallon for starting off with SW. Water quality changes faster in a smaller tank, and it requires more watching, not to mention it limits your fish options.

Was there a particular fish you wanted?

You might try liveaquaria.com to get ideas for fish.. if you're hellbent on a SW aquarium, I've found this category to be usefull: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?siteid=21&pCatId=1926&TopCatId=1926

 

[seafan]

Welcome!!!

Sure you can go straight to SW, just do some research. I recommend Michael Paletta's The New Marine Aquarium

 

[seafan]

Also search for my topic entitled "Research!Research!Research!". It has good research options.

 

[stevelikesfish]

Im personally going for a FOWLR tank for starters, although I seem to have some hitch-hiking inverts with my latest batch of LR, so i am not sure how long they will last....

Ultimately, I would love a reef aquarium. The first time I ever saw one, i was hooked. I just love the fact you can get this entire eco-system (with a little human help) going, and you can sit back and watch it all grow...

At present I have a 50 gal tank with internal filter. about 30KG or ocean rock, 20KG of coral sand substrate, and so far only 4 KG of live rock... In the next couple of weeks I'll be getting an Eheim Professional 2 external filter, and of course a protein skimmer.

Im on day 9 at the moment, all my tests are reading normal, other than a nitrate of around 40. Should I start to see some movement in these soon? Around the 2 week mark?

Enough from me! Thanks everyone!

 

[Wizaugh]

Wow, one hour and 6 replies! Probably just a FOWLR setup. I havent decided on what I want yet, probably a more aggressive tank. Liveaquaria has taught me a lot in the last 2 days, great site! I'd love to have a snowflake eel and some sort of trigger fish and maybe a puffer later on. Which brings me to my next question. In order to have those I'd need at least a 120g, right? I know you guys probably answer these type of questions all the time and I appreciate your help!

 

[stevelikesfish]

well depending on the puffer, they can grow as big as 24 inches I hear...

 

[klam]

If you can go big, go big. I started my 10g reef tank a few years ago with no fish keeping experiance of any kind. If I can do it so might you. I'm sure you are tired of hearing this but reading, researching, and patience is very important and if I didn't have access to saltwater fish forums my tank would not be what it is today, thriving.

An important tip to remember is that not all fish stores have your best interest in mind. So don't trust everything you they tell you. Sometimes they just dont know and all they care about is the $. Research.

 

[blorkiemom]

I think the main advantage to starting with FW is that you get comfortable with the routines of keeping fish and learn about tank cycles, etc. Well, plus FW fish are harder to kill. I think the skills/experience gained with FW are a benefit. That said, if you're willing to reseach and learn and be patient, going straight to SW shouldn't be a problem. Just from being on these boards a little while I as have I can see that most of the problems people run into come from 1) lack of research prior to buying; 2) people putting too much into their tanks, too quickly; and 3) someone who has had a tank up for a couple of months thinking it's a "success" and starting to take shortcuts/move too fast. If you can avoid those pitfalls, prior FW experience (or lack thereof) won't really matter, I don't think.