Howdy from Down South

Hello all, my name is Kat. I am a student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. I live in Knoxville TN.

I have only kept freshwater aquariums in the past and I am looking to try my hand at salt water fish tanks.

I am a total noob when it comes to saltwater. I have no idea what I am doing. I joined here to get some information so I don't harm any corals or fish that I decide to keep.

Right now, I have 5 tanks, 4 of them are inhabited.

I have a 5 gallon with a Blue Crown tail Betta and an Oto cat with some hornwort.

I have a 10 gallon with a regular yellow Betta and some hornwort.

I also have a 10 gallon planted tank that has 4 leaf clover, anubias, anarchis, java ferns, java moss, a moss ball, it has some guppies and a blue male betta.

My husband has a 5 gallon tank with a red betta, an albino cory catfish and a flower shrimp.

I do have some questions about saltwater tanks.

We dont know how big of a fish tank we want, I have read that smaller tanks are harder to keep than larger, so we will go with a bigger tank. We are thinking 30 to 50 or 55 gallon.

How do you set it up, I have never used a protein skimmer or a sump pump before. How do those work?

Can someone give me a list of what I would need for say a 55 gallon tank. I want to have corals and such in it, my husband wants a dog faced puffer fish.

Also, is there a certain brand that I should stay away from?

 

Welcome to 3reef Kat.

The thread listed below is an excellent introduction.

http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hobby/whats-important-successful-tank-108699.html

I do agree smaller tanks are initially more unstable. Add to that most hobbyist want to upgrade sooner rather than later secondary to their desire to keep larger type fish.

In my opinion starting with a 75-100 gallon tank is optimal.

 

Wow, Welsome to 3Reef!

A word of advice is to go slow on stocking the thank with fish and coral, the thoughts are that the more established the tank and system, the more likely you and your fish and coral are at being successful.

I think there are some threads here on this very site about how to set up a salt water tank, in fact, I know there is- cause its how the name of the site and the site got started.
There are also areas about equipment trends and how they work, etc.

Be somewhat patient, it will pay off with a beautiful tank before you know it.

Start here:
Reef Aquarium Articles and How To's - 3reef Reef Aquarium Forum

 

I can wait to stock the tank and I understand what you're saying go slow on stocking.

I guess what I am having problems wrapping my head around is the sump pump and protein skimmer. This is all new to me. I will read those articles right now.

 

Welcome to 3 reef. You will love it here! The sump can be confusing. I personally don't run a sump on my 36 fallon bowfront. plenty of live rock, circulation and 2 hang on filters is all I have. Ofcourse lights too. Lol. Just remember one thing. There is an option for everyone no matter what the budget is. Good luck.

 

Basically there's a overflow in the tank which drops water down to the sump. The sump not only increases water volume for more stability, it also provides a place to hide all your equipment such as the skimmer and the heaters. It can also be used to hold a washable filter sock. You can have a refugium which serves as a place for live rock to go so you don't have as much in the display, or a place for pods to reproduce while some go up in the water column back to the DT and also keeping macro algae for nutrient export. That's just the basic jist of it. Welcome to 3 reef.


The protein skimmer works by combining bubbles in water which proteins are attracted to, as they build up they overflow into a collection cup where you dump out all the nasty gunk. Each skimmer is different on how you adjust it. I hear reef octopus are really good skimmers but are very costly.

Always consult others even if you're sure about what you're doing. It helps to get other point of views and experiences.


Patience is key in this hobby.

 

Welcome to 3reef!

 

Mumeannesee? what was that? LOL. Trendkill welcome to 3reef there is a lot of experience here to help you along the way. My advice is to go slow research, research research. Check as many websites for price and shipping before ordering. That way you don't pay 300 on one site and see it on another for 250 with free shipping. 50 bucks could buy you a nice fish or coral. Plan your tank draw it up on paper so you know exactly what equipment you would need and can plan your plumbing and other stuff for future items and needed space. Welcome to 3reef. By the way I love Knoxville I spent 4 months working up there.

 

really, what the **ll was that?? Welcome to 3reef! Start by reading, it's the best way to get information on the basics and then you can move into specifics. If you're familiar with planted tanks and freshwater, you have some basic knowledge already. It really is easier than you think in terms of keeping only fish. If you move into corals, it's more complex and expensive that's for sure

 

Welcome!!! As everyone has said research and planning are huge for having a successful reef tank and not spending money on the wrong equipment.This is a good place to come with any questions you have,most local fish stores are not known for giving the best advise as they are in buisiness to sell whatever is available in their stores.BTW,hate to be a buzz kill right off the bat but most puffer species require a very large tank are not good choices for a reef.Liveaquaria.com is a good place for basic fish facts and the minimum tank sizes they list can be believed.