Advice on 1st SW tank purchase (Darn NEWBIE!)...

[IMS]

I am considering the following:

-ViaAqua LV 680 18 gallon aquarium w/stand ($258.00 on sale LPS).

• Radius corner glass aquarium
• Dual compact lighting
• Remote ballast
• Elevated aluminum Hood
• Undergravel filtration

-ViaAqua® AR 620 28 gallon aquarium w/stand ($350.00 on sale LPS).

• Radius corner glass aquarium
• Wet/Dry filtration
• Quiet
• Energy efficient
• Fluorescent lighting

or

-SeaClear System II 26 gallon Flatback Hex NO STAND ($375.00 Petco etc.).

SeaClear System II offers a true wet/dry biological filtration system built into the back of the aquarium. The SeaClear System II filter includes chambers that accommodate biological, mechanical and chemical filter media as well as space for a heater and the optional System II Protein Skimmer. The unique molded Turbulence Manifold allows for excellent circulation throughout the entire aquarium, making the System II the undisputed champion of all-in-one aquariums. All this without any outside plumbing or noise, the System II is complete and ready to run.


Although doing allot of reading, I am very new to the hobby (As with most of my hobbies...I will apologize to my wallet, LOL!). My uncle is very experienced and he is going to help me set up and maintain the tank.

These 3 units accommodate my budget and space consideration. I plan to have live rock, anemones and fish (not sure if that is relevant?).

My impressions are that lighting is very important (Duh!). The 2 RTR's (620 and SeaClear) although seem like a good value, are considerably less illuminate (is that a word?) than the VA 680 that uses a remote ballast and a very impressive elevated aluminum hood.

Dumb question...The VA 680 has no hood? Won't the fish rebel (jump out?).

Any info and or recommendations would be great and could possibly save me some $$ and distress

 

[IMS]

Oh yeah, just to be clear (pun). I have successfully maintained tropical tanks as a kid (Community, Ciclids etc.). I understand a SW tank requires Patience (6+ months setup etc.). I just didn't want to start with the wrong tank / equipment. Maybe I will wait a few months and continue to read, I am just anxious to get started. Thanks again!

 

[OrionGirl]

Well, none of those tanks are really a good first SW setup--too small. Bigger tanks are much more forgiving, and will allow a greater variety of stock. Depending on what fish you're interested in, this may or may not be a big deal. Very few SW fish will be comfortable in a small tank--no tangs, no butterflies, very few angels. Some gobies, blennies, and clowns will worh though--so decide if those will be fish you'llbe happy with first.

For lighting--can't say. Without knowing output (ie, wattage), it's hard to say. The fluorescent is unlikely to provide the needed output. The compact might--but that's on an even smaller tank. Please, please, do lots of research on anenomes and see if you really want one. They tend to fare poorly in aquariums, and there isn't a good reason to have one (ie, clowns don't require them to survive, thrive and reproduce). To keep one, I truly feel that MH lighting is the best option, and gives them to the best chance to survive. Even then, you'll want the tank to mature for ~6 months before adding one--and will be limited in adding other corals until then. Anenomes are picky, and will move around a lot when initially added--stinging and knocking over other animals in the process. With a small tank, this is even more relevant, since a large carpet anenome can be 1-2 feet in diameter, and would easily kill any other invert in the tank.

For filtration, live rock, sand, and power heads for water movement, along with a good skimmer, is your best bet. All mechanical filters are prone to clogging, trapping solid wastes and increasing nitrates, as well as your maintenance. Some are worse than others, but IME, wet-dry setups are the worst. A good clean up crew can handle solids trapped in sponges and other submersed media, but they can't get to things in the wet-dry media. I will never run another SW tank with a wet-dry unless I can have several layers submerged mechanical filtration in advance to remove all the solid wastes--much bigger pain than just going with a simpler system. UGF can't be used with sand, but can become nitrate traps without prefiltration as well. I had one in my first tank, and it was a pain. While the CC does support many of the detrivores, it's hard to clean because you end up killing those same animals--not good.

And, yes, a cover is a good idea for SW tanks. First, this helps reduce evaporation, which increases salinity and salt creep. second, some fish are indeed jumpers. Some are well known for this (like fire fish), while in others it doesn't seem as well known (like triggers). But, a cover is a good idea for any stock. I don't have glass covers on my tanks, but do have canopies that keep everybody inside--though I did have a trigger jump and make it into the built in over flow. Once. He was very embarrassed about it, and has yet to repeat.

So: IMO, your best bet is to decide specifically what you want to keep. Then buy the equipment individually. Might cost a tad more--but you don't end up buying stuff you won't use.

 

[IMS]

WOW! Thanks for the VALUABLE info (had no idea about the small vs large tank deal), I am going to prepare a bit more. Thanks again and I will keep you posted...Steve.

 

[simple_mr2]

if i was you, i would look for a nce used setup, i see 100-150 gal tanks go for 300 dollars every now and then(maybe a little more), but a big tank may be more forgiving, but dear lord is it going to be expensive! i have a 11gallon with a damsel a crab and some snails(and a small triggerfish, but i got him at a deal, and i am starting to cycle a bigger tank), and it is def bling bling. mine is also a via aqua(and the lighting it came with is nice for my setup, no coral or anything like that). so im sure you can find a nice 40 gallon used for a decent amount of money, and it wont be Uber expensive, but it wont be cheap, as a freshwater would be.(for example my roommate has a 10gallon tank, with lots of plants, maybe 5 fish, and he hasnt gone over 50 bucks i bet, on the other hand, i have a 11gallon and i am way over the 200 mark) sooo..... definately research it first!


jared

 

[kcmo lawman]

I would have to agree...check your local newspaper and see if there are any setups for sale in there. I picked up my first saltwater tank brand new from a lfs and got it for $275 with biowheel filter, dual setting heater, top, and light and it is a 55 gallon glass tank. I already had a stand I got from a friend, but had I wanted another one I could have gotten the stand for the 55 gallon for another $75 - $150 depending on the type of stand I wanted. I know you are probably tempted to just jump right in (I know I was) but do yourself a favor and do a lot of research in what type of tank you want, what you want in the tank, and then shop around and see what you can find. As OrionGirl posted, the bigger the setup, the more forgiving the water quality is. I am not trying to discourage you in any way I just want to see another person get the right advice and turn this hobby into something that he, or she will enjoy for many years to come. Oh, and as OrionGirl wrote to me in a post, be sure that you maintain a happy and healthy tank. The fish, inverts, etc. in your tank deserve a happy life just as you do.
Good luck and be sure to let us know how things are going for you. We are all here for advice whenever you need it,

Bradd

 

[sandiegan]

I'll be a hypocrit and say that if it's your first tank it should be 55gal+ I know there's a lot of temptation for smaller tank, and 'supposedly' smaller $$ but this hobby is basically lotsa $$ no matter which way you go. Personally I think anywhere from 55-80gal is decent balance, but if you can/want to afford it then definitely go bigger! I'd love a 125gal instead of my 30gal, but that would mean i wouldnt eat....