sdergar said:I just started my SW tank in September of last year and the best help came from the members on this website. The first thing I did though was read the information in the SW article section like:
Important Information for those new to the Aquarium Hobby
Steve
sdergar said:I just started my SW tank in September of last year and the best help came from the members on this website. The first thing I did though was read the information in the SW article section like:
Important Information for those new to the Aquarium Hobby
Steve
sdergar said:Well, what are you going to keep? Fish only, Fish with live rock, corals? This will determine what you will really need. For example if you are going to keep corals your lighting needs are going to be higher, in both light and cost. Are you going to add a sump and refugium? What kind of fish? All these things and more will determine what you need. As for the cycle, I went fishless cycle, and this can take a couple of weeks and up.
Steve
sdergar said:The tank can be the same, unless there has been copper medication used in the tank. If you are going with a sump/refugium, which I would recommend, I would get a reef ready tank, which means it is drilled to drain into a sump/refugium. The differences I found are great. I started with fresh water myself and found that it is so much more involved. I liked that. But very expensive and without a lot of research you are going to waste a lot of money. Live rock, protein skimmers, corals, fish all cost a pretty dollar in sw aquariums. Even the water and salt mixes. I had a budget but realized very quickly it should have been higher. I would also recommend an RO/DI unit for your water. There are ways to keep the costs down but you don't want to go so cheap as too jeopardize the livestock.
Lots of great people here at this website but you need to do a lot of research and take your time and do it right the first time. It was at least two weeks before I had water in my tank and then another three weeks of cycle before I even put my clean up crew in there (crabs, shrimp, snails). Take your time, ask lots of questions, read, read, read...and then read some more.
Steve
Tdukes22 said:Yes I will defiantly do so but where do u find tanks with drill holes in them because I have no clue where to get them
sdergar said:You can get reef ready tanks at any LFS. Sometimes they have one instock and other tImes they'll have to order it.
Steve
sdergar said:Not sure on the names, I think mine is a Marineland brand, but if you walk into your LFS and ask for a reef ready tankk they will show you what's available. You can also drill your own however you HAVE TO MAKE SURE that the glass is not tempered. As for lights that will depend on what you want to keep. They can range from $100 up to a $1000 and beyond. This is where your research comes in. Take a trip to the LFS. Look at online retailers, etc.
sdergar said:Yes, reef ready comes with the holes.
Steve