Big Time Newbiee
- Thread starter Fishinator
- Start date
I messed up the last post?
I have a 30g tank right now with 7 cichlids. I wanted to convert it to salt water and I was wondering if anyone had any idea where I can get the materials that I need cheaper. I also have no idea what I need. Please let me know what I should do. I have limited space in my room thats why I dont get a bigger tank.
Thanks any help is greatly appreciated.
Jose
I have a 30g tank right now with 7 cichlids. I wanted to convert it to salt water and I was wondering if anyone had any idea where I can get the materials that I need cheaper. I also have no idea what I need. Please let me know what I should do. I have limited space in my room thats why I dont get a bigger tank.
Thanks any help is greatly appreciated.
Jose
There is a "sticky" (permanent thread) at the top of the "Newbie Marine Forum" titled Starting a saltwater tank some good advice that you should read.
You're going to be doing lots of reading- I read from April of last year until December before I began actually buying items.
The more you read, understand, and plan the less problems you will experience.
So read that thread I linked for you, fire up Google and get busy. It can be very intimidating at first but just keep reading!
Wet Web Media
Advanced Aquarist
Conscientious Aquarist
You're going to be doing lots of reading- I read from April of last year until December before I began actually buying items.
The more you read, understand, and plan the less problems you will experience.
So read that thread I linked for you, fire up Google and get busy. It can be very intimidating at first but just keep reading!
Wet Web Media
Advanced Aquarist
Conscientious Aquarist
I completely agree with Cearbhaill about reading a lot. The actual work isn't necessarily a lot more than FW, but the background is a good bit more complex. It's true that you can do things less expensively if you are good at DIY and finding deals, but you have to know what you're doing.
A 30 gallon tank is quite workable. You will be limited to a few smallish fish, but it can be an excellent display.
The first step is to figure out what you want. Are you interested in fish only, or would you like to try and set up a small reef with corals? Many people think they only want fish, then fall in love with invertebrates once they start getting to know them.
A 30 gallon tank is quite workable. You will be limited to a few smallish fish, but it can be an excellent display.
The first step is to figure out what you want. Are you interested in fish only, or would you like to try and set up a small reef with corals? Many people think they only want fish, then fall in love with invertebrates once they start getting to know them.
Thanks
Thank you guys I've been doing lots of research. During my research I realized that this is not a cheap hobby..LOL... Which is ok but I wanted to know is anyone knows of any place that I can get the lights for a 30g tank cheaper. I want the lights to be able to hold some live coral and some anemones. Iam mainly building this tank up for niceness. So I would also like some nice looking reef fish.
Thanks again for the help...
Thank you guys I've been doing lots of research. During my research I realized that this is not a cheap hobby..LOL... Which is ok but I wanted to know is anyone knows of any place that I can get the lights for a 30g tank cheaper. I want the lights to be able to hold some live coral and some anemones. Iam mainly building this tank up for niceness. So I would also like some nice looking reef fish.
Thanks again for the help...
IMO choosing lighting is the hardest decision you will have to make. Took me months and I'm still not sure I am happy.
What are the dimensions of the tank? How deep?
What do you plan on keeping? "Live coral" I know- softies like mushrooms or hard corals like hammers or acros?
As far as anemones- that is so far into your future that I wouldn't worry about it yet.
Don't skimp on lighting, or purchase anything before you are 100% sure it is the right thing. You'll just have to buy it again later.
There are lots on online vendors who sell retro-kits that a semi handy person can install in their canopy, but again you need to know specifically what lights you are interested in. Were you thinking power compacts or metal halides? T5's?? VHO??
Depth of tank, species planned, and heat issues in the room all need to be considered.
What are the dimensions of the tank? How deep?
What do you plan on keeping? "Live coral" I know- softies like mushrooms or hard corals like hammers or acros?
As far as anemones- that is so far into your future that I wouldn't worry about it yet.
Don't skimp on lighting, or purchase anything before you are 100% sure it is the right thing. You'll just have to buy it again later.
There are lots on online vendors who sell retro-kits that a semi handy person can install in their canopy, but again you need to know specifically what lights you are interested in. Were you thinking power compacts or metal halides? T5's?? VHO??
Depth of tank, species planned, and heat issues in the room all need to be considered.