i need help

[gratleop]

can any body give me a list of what i need to start a saltwater aquirium adn a idea of how much total?

[ToeJam]

lol Im glad you want to cause everyone should have a marine tank! =) But that is a general question that is hard to answer. Reef tank vs Fowlr have there differences.
And will you use a sump? Do you want high end corals that are light demanding?

Basically for marine i can answer in general but it doesn't cover all:

1. Fish tank ofcourse =p
2. Live rock 1lb per gallon give or take few lbs just in general its bio filtration for marine
3. Barebottom, sand up to you...substrate or no substrate that is the question =)
4.Heater
5. Power heads but cant suggest anything till we know what your plans are. Just lots of flow.
6. Protein Skimmer (read my sig about them) they are very important.
7.Lighting (depends if fish only or soft,Lps, or sps corals) fish require nothing special.

Not a must have but I always recommend it:
Phosban reactor and using Phosban.

Large differences between fresh and salt water besides the salt.(I know you are the dude in the fresh section seen yah around)... Our water must be very high quality in comparison to fresh. We suggest using RO/DI water ...

tap water is crap...read link in sig to explain one of the many problems with it.

[fsn77]

A VERY general rule of thumb regarding total cost, which will vary with very large, very small, or unusual tank footprints, and with how many items are bought used or DIYed, is $45 - $55 / gallon of tank size. If you like pricier equipment or want a bunch of unessential add-ons, that per gallon cost estimate will climb quite a bit.

[thincat]

My suggestion is to first and formost...move back with your parents before you start a SW tank set up. ;)

[gratleop]

wat would be a good size aquarium for clowns and horned gobys and other species with the same size

[Sploke]

this article is a good jumping-off point for SW aquaria:

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79292

[thincat]

Just remember that bigger is better in saltwater AQ's. The smallest for a first timer would be 29 long with a 10g sump. Things so south real fast in smaller tanks. And remember that the tank is more than likely to be the cheapest part of the deal.

[redfishblewfish]

I think I first heard this saying about high end cars, but I think it holds true to saltwater tanks as well….”If you have to ask, you can’t afford it.” Or you can take the other approach….just jump in and start buying; you don’t want to know how much it costs. The other consideration is not only start up cost of equipment, but also the monthly ongoing costs of salt, water, electricity, just to name a few items. I know my electric bill went from around $50-$60 dollars to well over $200 per month.

[GregAW]

I know my electric bill went from around $50-$60 dollars to well over $200 per month.

OUCH!! :D

[ToeJam]

yah just expect to spend lots of money its how you spend it that you should consider...

Vs buying everything at once.. Bargain hunt on Craig list and take your time... There are people often selling skimmers, ballasts, and tanks for cheap.

Just an idea:
55 gallon tanks are cheap new about 100bucks
Make your own canopy very easy its a box shape =) (cheap to make)
Find retro lighting t5vho's or Metal hallides...either way you have to get ballasts for them and thats where the price jumps. (still darn cheaper than a fixture)
Skimmers Hob or sump ...if you go sump plan on spending more on other equipment for the sump to be used.

See the problem here we can't suggest till you answer what tank size you will go...if you want corals , which leads to what kind (soft,Lps,Sps). Sump or No sump...

that will get us more focused on suggestions ..currently its too hard for me to price and suggest without some direction.

[ToeJam]

wat would be a good size aquarium for clowns and horned gobys and other species with the same size

I am going to assume fish only tank..

get a 55 gallon tank (100 bucks average)
40-55 lbs of Live Rock (6.99lb to 9.99lb depending on rock)
Skimmer( 100-200 for decent ones, 400+ for elite ones)
And simple lights ..dont need intense for fish ..just corals. (200+ bucks)
Bag of sand 30 bucks

*adding sump to?*
Then you will need to have an HOB Overflow box and mag pump for return.
Overflow like CPR 100+
MagPump 100+
PVC+primer+glue = 10 bucks is my guess or 20..cheap....

[GregAW]

One point I'd like t make. If you shop Craigslist, be careful. People add to fresh water aquariums that so leach into the acrylic and sealant that can be fatal when the tank is set up as a saltwater environment. In MHO I wouldn't go any smaller than 30 +/- a gallon or 2.

[redfishblewfish]

Just curious greg, what would leach back out of a freshwater tank that would hurt saltwater inhabitants? The only thing I could think of is if they used the tank as a hospital tank and dosed heavily with copper (which actually isn’t that heavy because of the toxicity). Or if they used the tank for non-fish related chemical mixing…such as garden pesticides. I’m just curious if you are talking about something else that I’m not aware of. Thanks.

[GregAW]

Copper is a good one I can think of and if the tank was used for snakes, turtles and the like, who knows what might have been put in the tank. I guess you could always do a real good cleaning and fill with water and circulate for a day or 2 out in the sun.

[ToeJam]

I actually checked this out for another poster with old FW tank that had meds used in it.

The copper adheres to the glass and silicone...but doesnt absorb into them... the cleaning procedure is using Vinegar and rubbing it down a lot with it...just scrub your tank with lots of vinegar...

after thats done... fill it and dump it several times... let it dry and good to go.

The vinegar I assume dissolves the copper so it can be flushed out in the rinse.

[gratleop]

alright sounds good time to go save some money and get a job thanks for the advice