Hey, I just found your site and love the info available and the general helpful and friendly atmosphere. Alright.....I have a FW tank right now, but since I'm moving to korea soon I'm gonna hock that for a few bucks. But later down the road I am very interested in gettin a SW tank going. Anyone know any good websites or books where I can find out about how to get a tank going. I'm new to the whole SW thing, I've already bought SW Aquariums for Dummies, (thats how I found this site). Its a helpful book. But I dont want to rush into this, I want to educate myself and make sure I do it right, not just to save some $$ but I'm sure whatever fish I decide to get in the future will appreciate it as well.
Howdy All
- Thread starter SharkDog80
- Start date
Welcome!
There are several good books out there--here's a list: http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1740
Then, I strongly suggest spending some time looking at fish! Pick the ones that you like best, determine their needs, and what else will go with them. Too often, people buy a tank, then start looking at fish, and realize the one fish they want most will outgrow their brand new tank. Or, set up for a reef, and decide they really prefer triggers and puffers. Get yourself a good notebook, and write down the names of animals you like, and leave room so you can add information about the fish--what it eats, how big it gets, etc. Then you can use this to decide what size tank to get, and we can help guide you in terms of what other equipment you'll need. There are several good threads here and in the archives covering new setups--several ways to be successful!
There are several good books out there--here's a list: http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1740
Then, I strongly suggest spending some time looking at fish! Pick the ones that you like best, determine their needs, and what else will go with them. Too often, people buy a tank, then start looking at fish, and realize the one fish they want most will outgrow their brand new tank. Or, set up for a reef, and decide they really prefer triggers and puffers. Get yourself a good notebook, and write down the names of animals you like, and leave room so you can add information about the fish--what it eats, how big it gets, etc. Then you can use this to decide what size tank to get, and we can help guide you in terms of what other equipment you'll need. There are several good threads here and in the archives covering new setups--several ways to be successful!
Thanks Orion, ya I have plenty of time to do my research since I'm gonna be moving around a lot the next few years I'm not about to run out and start buyin stuff. I've already starting finding websites with some fish I had in mind and made print outs, create a sorta file of potentials. I wanna make my first SW tank fish only, simple peaceful ones that wont get to huge. I was thinkin of getting a 50-75 gal tank. What I think would be real cool to have is an octopus, but I wanna make sure I have more than a clue as to what I'm doing before I make that leap.
Octo's are very cool. They are smarter than anything else I've had in a tank, and very interactive once they get to know you. However, they must be in a species only tank, since the few critters that won't be on their menu most likely will eat them. 
I had them in a 29 that was plumbed into my 65--filter between the 2 in case of inking. The tank has to be escape proof, and females tend to lay eggs within a few months of being introduced (after which they die), but males can live a year or two. Fun critters!