New to it all, need help with direction

[RobG]

Hey guys, this is my first post here. I've been thinking about getting a fish tank in the last few weeks. At first i thought i should get a FW set up. But after looking at the different fishes from both types and seeing the FW and SW tank set up in one of the buildings on campus helped me change my mind. Right now i'm seriously considering getting a SW tank. At first i thought about getting a 55 gallon, but lately i've been thinking maybe a 75 or a bowfront would be cool. I would like a decent size set up and have maybe a few fish. Anyways i had some questions before i can make any more decisions. I'm still in the research stages but i would like to have a set up decided in the next couple of weeks.

1. What are all the components of a first time set up? I know i definently need a tank, stand, light, material for the tank and the filters, etc,

2. What are the different readings and measurements that you take from the tanks and what do they represent? I got a grasp of some of them.

3. Is there a good book i can probably check out or buy? I'm not really big on reading books but if theres one that is absolultely good then let me at it.

4. What other aspects should i consider since i probably did leave some stuff out.

I was thinking about checking out some local fish stores and looking at the different fish and set ups, etc. Is there anything i should look for in a good fish store?

I know its a bunch of quesitons but i want to do this right and be satisfied with my project.

Thanks in advance
Rob

[frazin78]

Hi Rob and welcome to the Forum.

First off I would say that your taking a step in the right directions by asking questions and not jumping into something unknown simply cause the fish look cool. I am by no means an expert and you will find out that during the course of your Hobby for SW fish you will find new things to learn and it never stops. :) I am by no means an expert but I can tell you a few things to look for and what not to look for.

To answer your first question you need everything that you have mentioned but not only is the hardware important but the type that you choose. Such as your filter: you can go with a Live Rock, Live Sand setup with a good protein skimmer and a few powerheads. I have learned that this is the better type of filter for my tank, I have a canister filter and a bio wheel and there are a few mixed feelings on this board about that type of filtration. You will notice that there you might never find the right answer just different opinions, since what might work for me might not work for you. The more LR ( Live Rock) you have the better your filtration and the better your odds of having less filtration problems in the future. The type of light is also important as if you are thinking of putting Corals or Anenome's you will need a very high quality light that can be found in Metal Halydes or PC lighting of if you want Fish only then you only need some basic florescents.

Once you have an extablished tank you do not require to measure the water parameters as often but it's by no means need to be ignored as your test might show early symptoms of poor water quality and htis could save you many headaches. What you will always test for is the specific gravity of the water, meaning how much salt is needed for your tank and water changes. :) When you first start off your tank I would recommed fishless cycling #1 it doesn't kill any fish and #2 it works just as well as cycliing with a fish. You will need to measure Ammonia and Nitrites and Nitrates when you are cycling once the Ammonia and Nitrites are at 0 your cycle is complete and you can start to introduce 1 fish at a time. This give the good bacteria time to multuply and keep the ammonia and nitrites level at 0. If you are thinking of keeping coral you will need to measure calcium and other such elements but I do not have any corals therefore my knowledge is a little limited in that departement.

Other aspects that you might consider is researching which type of fish are compatible with eachother and writing yourself a plan (type of fish) you will get. I have foudn out the hard way just cause their pretty doesn't mean they are dociel fish... I had a few problems with compatibility, even if hte Local Fish store says otherwise try and avoid any possible headaches, again it may work for you but taking risks isn't a good way to start your hobby. I will tell you that you would be making a great decision on taking the 75 over the 55 as bigger the tank the better. Not because you can add more fish which is a good thing mind you but if ever anything is introduced into your water (or if extra ammonia, nitrites or nitrates are created) it will be diluted into 75 gallons rather then 55 which will reduce the likelyhood of having unecessary deaths or problems.


Sorry I don't know of any books off hand but I am sure someone else on the board could help you out on that one. Ask as many questions as you can and remember there are no dumb questions, if someone tells you something that is hardly beleivable don't dismiss it... ask around sometimes it is true and it may save you alot of time and headaches.

I hope of the information has helped. ;)

Jc

[slipknottin]

Originally posted by RobG
3. Is there a good book i can probably check out or buy? I'm not really big on reading books but if theres one that is absolultely good then let me at it.


Reef Aquariums by John Tullock. Its a Great starter book, has info on starting tanks, on fish, coral, pretty much everything.

The most important thing to do is to choose what you want to stock your tank with. High light corals, just fish, etc. etc. will dictate the entire setup.

[Guy W]

The first book I read was The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Bob Fenner. It's a really easy read and while it's getting a little older most of the information is still good.

I would start out with that, read it, then ask some questions.

Guy

[liquafaction]

Fenner's book really helped me to understand setup, and filtration more than anything. I was so confused my filter systems when I started out, but he breaks it down pretty good. Granted its not playboy or anything that keeps you wanting to see what is on the next page, but if you are serious about starting an aquarium. I am not the biggest person on reading either, but this book kept me intrested enough (and I was intrested enough in the hobby) that I read it front to back

[slipknottin]

Fenner's book is also great for beginers. Highly recommended.

[RobG]

hey guys thanks for the help. Well today i checked out a fish store by my place and saw some cool stuff. I also talked to my god father afterwards. I remembered him having a bunch of salt water tanks like in the walls and stuff. So anyways after talking to him he pretty much gave me these insights:
1. It's a high maintenance job. He said i'd have to clean the insides every 3-4 days to get the algea growth off.
2. 4-6" of DSB was ridiculous and if i wanted to do it right i'd have to use a think layer of crush coral. This also means i'd have to change the crush coral out every week or so with a cleaned batch (cycle between two batches)
3. he had a 120 gallon filter for his 120 gallon tank?
4. That whatever i think the cost is and i have to multiply it by three. thats how expensive it gets.
5. salt is expensive
6. He had two pump tubes. one was on the top left corner shooting in. the other on the bottom right corner shooting in. He said that it was hard to keep the stuff circulated.
6. high maintenance job

Well guys after hearing all this i still told him i wanted to do it still. I also mentioned that i would research the set up more. (I think i want to do a 4-6" DSB and 85% tank capacity of live rock) I just think that so much has changed since he did his SW tank set ups and there is more information available out there.

Thanks
Rob

[RobG]

please tell me i dont have to cycle the tank for 6 months like he reccomended haha

[slipknottin]

Originally posted by RobG

1. It's a high maintenance job. He said i'd have to clean the insides every 3-4 days to get the algea growth off.
The glass? Get an algae magnet.. takes a whole 5 seconds. You shouldnt get much algae growth in a properly maintained tank anyhow.



2. 4-6" of DSB was ridiculous and if i wanted to do it right i'd have to use a think layer of crush coral. This also means i'd have to change the crush coral out every week or so with a cleaned batch (cycle between two batches)
Bad advice. Though currently many experts are no longer going with deep sand beds, there is no reason to go with crushed coral, or swap out your CC, thats an insane amount of work. A 1" deep sand bed will work fine.



3. he had a 120 gallon filter for his 120 gallon tank? Filter? protein skimmer is the only thing you need.



4. That whatever i think the cost is and i have to multiply it by three. thats how expensive it gets.
$30 to $50 a gallon. ;)


5. salt is expensive $110 for enough salt to make 600 gallons. It aint too bad.


6. He had two pump tubes. one was on the top left corner shooting in. the other on the bottom right corner shooting in. He said that it was hard to keep the stuff circulated. Same could be done with a powerhead or two...



6. high maintenance job



Tanks shouldnt be high maintenance, a couple hours a week is all it should take. Many of the tasks can be automated to shorten that down to less than an hour a week.