ANOTHER Newbie needs some help...

S

Speedylittleme

Registered Member
Feb 21, 2008
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Ok, I am buying this for my husband for his 30th birthday. I basically want to get him as set up as I can. He has always said he wants to do a marine tank, however after talking to lots of people (and reading here) that's probably not the best first tank. I also know him and know he "thinks" he wants that, but in the long run probably won't want all the extra work. :)

I'm thinking of getting him the tank (120 gallon tank) and the filtration system and then kinda giving him a dorky certificate to tell him he can go by whatever else he wants for it. Know what I mean?

So I guess my question is this...do all filtration systems work for both fresh and marine? I'd like to get him something that will work for both just in case he puts his foot down about wanting the marine tank.

I guess my ultimate question really is: What supplies can I buy him that will work for a fresh or marine tank? I'm talking the basic type things. I'll let him pick the fish, the colors of the rock and that kinda stuff that I have no idea about.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!! :help::help::worthy::worthy:
 
Well, honestly, most of the equipment is very different.

For the tank, 120 gallon is one heckuva nice starter tank.

For the salty side, a protein skimmer is a pretty obvious choice, as is salt, a hydrometer or refractometer (to measure amount of salt in the water), a test kit geared towards saltwater, some powerheads for water movement, a heater, and possibly a nice set of lights.

For the freshwater side, a canister filter is good, a heater, a test kit geared towards freshwater...

Basically the only thing that is the same is the heater. Other than that, well, you gotta make that choice.

Salt has a bit steeper of a learning curve, but I honestly think (after having both and switching to all salt) that it is much more rewarding.

Sorry I can't be of more help.
 
Well I figured to "go big" from the get go rather than start with something small and then have to keep "upping" it, ya know? He's a "go big" kinda guy.

I guess maybe I should get just the tank and then let him decide which way he wants to go. I really wanted to do as much of the legwork as possible.

He's the kinda guy who excels at whatever he tries so he may do great with a marine tank right off the bat. I already told him that if I let him get a tank that these fish were HIS to deal with and I wasn't lifting a finger (I don't really want this) :)
 
Ha. My wife doesn't do bupkis on my tank. She doesn't even bother really looking at it, which I find crazy.

You could talk to the petstore where you're going to buy the tank from and see if they'll let you but two sets of supplies and then return what you aren't going to use. Present him with two distinct sets of presents and tell him to choose which way he wants to go.

I dunno, just a thought. ;)

If money is a concern (no idea if it is or not), it's probably going to cost 2-3x as much to go marine with the equipment.
 
Probably best to just buy the tank so he can decide.

Its not *that* hard to do SW as a first tank (I did) but you have to do a lot of research. I also just have sw with live rock, no corals. Corals are the hard part it seems, and the expensive part!

And don't worry, once the tank is set up you will love it! :)
 
I'm a freshwater guy and I've known speedy for a long time now. She asked me for advise and I directed her here. I also suggested to go big first so he can have bigger/more fish. Yes this big of a marine setup will be expensive.

Subliminal, could she not use a canister filter for both FW and salt? Again I'm not a marine guy so I know nothing of marine filtration. Just asking.
 
And yeah I too think she should just get the tank/stand and then let him get the detail stuff. Just get a cert. for the extras at a lfs. Or search CL.
 
He really likes to research stuff too so that could be part of the present I guess.:)

I was gonna try and find a used tank. I want to do this as cheaply as possible since we are expecting our first kiddo in July.

I'm not much on fish so I doubt I'll look at it a whole lot...I'm sure my kitty will love it though :):)

Thanks for the input, I know NOTHING about this so a lot of it is greek to me.
 
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