I want to get salty

D

david13latham

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Jan 8, 2008
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I will soon have a 20gallon long empty and ready to create another money drain. I have never done a saltwater tank and I would really like to do one.
If I have a 20 gallon tank, heater, and lighting already what else would I need and how much would it cost. If there is a cheaper DIY route I will definitively be taking that path. I know Ill need some live rock and sand? Do I have to get the expensive stuff from petsmart? Where do you guys buy yours at? How much is the maintaince upkeep for the tank? I have freshwater tanks but I now want a saltwater tank. I do not want fish in the tank to start with anyways. I just want a lot of oceanish stuff. Coral, werid looking plants, COLOR besides green. Id like to get it to be really pretty for a display in my entree way. Any and all tips would be helpful I am quite a newbie. If you got anything that could help me out like websites and stuff I appriciate it. This is more of a aquaria central build. I want to pull ideas from here to make a cost effective saltwater tank.
My picture would be Dark Blue painted on sides and back of the tank. Then white or black...cant decide yet sand for the substrate. I don't really get what live sand is nor live rock? just dirty with all the ocean stuff? explain please...

Give me what you got I need some help !!:22_yikes:
 
Ok, I'll try to help. You have to remember though that with a 20 gallon you are very limited to they amount/type of fish you can get.
What type of lighting do you have? This is a major factor into what type of corals you would be able to keep.
You would also need powerheads. If you are keeping corals you would need at least 20 x turnover of your tank size per hour (400gph, this is based around soft corals), any LPS or SPS corals require at least 30+ (600+gph).
You would need around 7.5kg (16lbs) of live rock. I'm in the UK so not sure what the petsmart live rock is like but I'd go for the best cured live rock you can get.
I'd also possibly look at getting a protein skimmer.
As for the cost of maintaining, again there are a lot of factors to consider so you can't really pin point a figure.
 
Alot of us have a local fish store we make most of out purchases at. You will need to get a listing of those in your area and do a little recon. Thier are alot of good and bad shops out there, so it will save you time and money if you find one with integrity. Many will give suggestions, but better to do most of your research yourself. Even good shops get alot wronge. I don't fault the shops to much as good help is expensive, and the owner is'nt always available to advise you.
As for the monthly expense, it varies. If you add in the electricity, water, salt, food, time, it may be more or less than you anticipated. If you continue to do your research and ask questions you will be able to set that 20 up fairly cheaply.
A few more things that may help:
-Go slow and don't rush through your cycle
-Don't skimp on equipment, if it's to pricey, better to save up for it. Buying multiple bad skimmers for instance will cost you far more in the long run. Not to mention the irritation of one that does little more than move water around.
-Add livestock slowly
-Make your water change water in advance, allowing it to heat, circulate, and desolve the salt.
Just a few things off the top of my head, hope it helps a little. Good luck.
 
i go to house of tropis they are a good place im u live bwi air poort
 
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