Beginner thinking about setting up a tank

S

sardesign

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Sep 28, 2005
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Phoenix, AZ
This may be a stupid question... but I feel it's better to at least ask experienced users about what type of fish to start with (maybe small corals or other marine "things") and what I need to set it up. I know this is a general question and I have been spending a quite a few hours looking around, but since I've gotten pretty deep into freshwater plants and fish, I just want to make sure I'm headed on the right track for marine life.

Since I have a 100 gallon freshwater planted tank, I don't have the room for a huge marine tank. I would prefer a smaller one. Are there any fish I could start out with that would work well with a small setup in the 30-50 gallon range? In my reading I also made the decision that I would want to attempt (and hopefully succeed) with a reef and fish tank. Thanks for any help in advance. Websites or references (beside this forum) are welcomed and appreciated.
 
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yup!u sure can but its kinda pricy but if u got the$$$$$....
as u can see below my tanks arent big and even thought i have the advantage of working in an aquarium store its easy to acheve once u get it down. just ask the questions and ill answer them. i had a freshwater tank for about 5 years abd a brackish 4 about 3 years and my reef tank has been up for 4 months and my other just a week but they are running like a mature system already. it cost alot but the outcome is worth it and ill let u in on the secrets on how to mature a reef tank to 1 year in only 3 months.
 
I'm going to hit the library and read up on maintaining reef w/ fish w/ invertebrates first... then I'm going to come back to you (and whoever else wants to join in) for advice with equipment. I do not want to lose a living creature so I'm going to be as prepared as I can possibly be.
 
Please do NOT think those systems listed are at all reasonable. Anyone who considers a tank that is less than 6 months old successful has a long way to go before advising others to imitate their setup.

Yes, there are a number of fish that will be suitable for a 30-50 gallon tank--but SW systems run better with lower bio-loads, so do not plan on having more than 2-3 small fish in a 30, or 2-3 small fish an done medium sized fish in a 50. There are also lots of choices in terms of corals and invertebrates. I would look into wrasses, basslets, gobies, clowns, dwarf angels, and blennies, as well as snails and shrimps.

Since you want a reef, lighting will need to be addressed as well--depending on what type of corals you want. Personally, I won't setup a reef with metal hallide. Corals do better with them, IME, and I love the shimmer effect. But, plan to have at least 5 WPG, and you'll be able to support most things.
 
Hey listen i have the best equiptment and i have 6 years experence in aquariums dont judge someone u dont know!!!!! :mad:

there is a right way to culture a tank and ive done it plus i set up aquariums and sell retail for my job so i see all diffrent fish and how the interact. ive built 350 gallon reef tanks and many others before i had mine so dont judge someone yuo dont know!!!
the rock and sand in my tank is 10 years old and i have some of the most delicate coral in the tank and they are not only growing but reproducing. i uses all the right vitamins and other suppliments that arnt even on the market yet. the filters are meant for a 60 gallon tank and i have a rifugium in the back that is several years cultured. the corals and fish are supplimented every day and the calcium levels are just right as well as the ph, dkh, iodine, stronium and other elements. the amonia is 0ppm, the nitrate is very low as is the phosphate level. the temp is always at about 78.
i have sponge for my nutabranch. a new sea whip is growing....bla bla bla on and on...so sorry if i seen upset OrionGirl but i took offence to the way u dismissed my comment. u may know more than most people on here and i respect that but respect goes both ways.
p.s yes i know i cant spell
 
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Lets not get angry here :)

The reef / fish saltwater tank is sometime off. I just want to get an idea of where to start first so I can build a supply of equipment early:

1. so i know the stuff works.
2. so i am prepared and able to get the tank up and running when i want to (i hate waiting for equipment to be shipped).

What I would like to do is start building a sump. So far I've not seen any good references or websites on building any. I've seen some conceptual diagrams, but that's it. I need a shopping list of equipment that I NEED and then a list of equipment that is optional. I can bascially build it after that. I have an idea of how they work but I want to be sure I do before i get the acrylic cut for baffles and such.
 
Only things I would suggest is to get some books that aren't out dated, preferably something in the year 1998 or better. I find most books beyond this year are behind the times as far as care and setup.

Since it is a smaller tank, the water will change faster in it than in a larger tank, it is always easier on the aquariast to buy the biggest tank possible. You will want alot of water flow, alot more than found in most freshwater, especially if your wanting corals at some point. Remember, these animals live in a reef zone that has some major water action and alot of these animals need this replicated to do well if not just to survive.

As far as a skimmer, deffinatly don't skimp here, spend the money to get the best available.

Lighting is also something to be taken real serious if your considering corals. One more place that you surely can't skimp on and can become costly quick.

Heating and chillers, seeing you live in Arizona, you might need to look into a chiller, most marine inhabitants will not tolerate high or low water temperatures. This is soemthing else that can be costly.

I see you said something about a refugium, I cannot stress how good this is for a reef aquarium. Do some research on it and make it happen, you will not be disapointed.

This will give you plenty to think, read, and shop around about for now. Hope this helps you in your new journey.
 
Hello Gman,

I think OrionGirl just missunderstood your post ("reef has been set up for 4 months") and was not trying to offend. You must understand the advice you were giving goes against the norm so was likly to provoke respose also.

Just out of curiosity what is your secret for a mature tank in 3 months, that maybee worth the $$$ you speak of.
 
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