SW Newbie w/1000g tank...

[Raithan Ellis]

Welp, I'm drawing straws on what to do with this thing... I just don't know.

To start things off, I saw one of those "deals of the month" happening in front of my eyes and couldn't let it slip away, so I ended up buying a used market style eight-foot lobster tank with dual chillers built-in. You know the kind with the slanted acrylic viewing window at the deli? Can't even fit this thing in the house, it's 96"x48"x72" or so, since the stand is built in. All in one type unit with a divider for two 500'ish gallon sections, each with it's own chiller. Must be real close to 1000 gallons, was used for live market-fresh trout.

So... aside from it having to live out it's years in my already small unheated garage, we have a well.

If I had my choice I'd stick with freshwater for growout of angels and discus that are spawning in my basement. But for some reason I am thinking the well would dry up in a matter of months with summer coming.

Is there any way I could go saltwater and not require large water changes of more than, oh, 100 gallons every week or two and maybe breed something to offset costs? I don't want this thing consuming time with corals and such, just fish and a clean-up crew of sorts.

I've considered getting city-water run, but we aren't all that close to the road, and defintally don't have that kind of money right now.

If there's any direction anyone can point me it would be much appreciated. No previous experience with saltwater.

Regards,
Raithan O. Ellis

[OrionGirl]

Sorry, but SW fish require cleaner water than most FW--discus come close. It's mostly phosphates and silicates, but many of us use RO. As with any kind of fry, clean water is a must, and there aren't that many SW fish that breed in captivity AND will be worth lots of money. Clowns breed readily, but you won't get much for them because they are so common. Not to mention, most SW fish require heating-those chillers would be a waste. Someone else might know more about shrimp and crabs--the little I know isn't going to be helpful, since it requires several small tanks with lots of water changes.

Guess I'd contact a school/college and see if they'd be interested in purchasing the unit to use in a reasearch lab.

[Boogiechillin]

It's the unheated aspect that's hurting you. You could conceivably breed a number of fish species in that big of a tank to help offset costs a little, but all tropicals need heat. There isn't much of a market for coldwater marine organisms unless they're going on the dinner plate. :)

[Raithan Ellis]

I suppose the best is to stick with freshwater for now. Forgot about the R/O factor.

Heat will be taken care of with good insulation and two or three 1000w Fireplugs. Any suggestions on insulation for this project would be great!

Cheers,
Raithan O. Ellis

[slipknottin]

You wouldnt need to do large water changes at all really. If you have a deep sand bed and some live rock you can do very very few. You wouldnt neccisarly need to use RO water, as long as you dont mind some algae growth.

You could breed quite a few different kinds of fish, clowns, bangaiis, basslets, even angels.

The biggest problem would be raising the fry. They feed off things that are very difficult to provide, but are generally more avaliable in a larger tank.