Hi all - new membmer

Hi,

Just found this forum, and lots of great info. I am currently involved in the freshwater hobby and am thinking about taking the jump to saltwater in a few months. I have an old 10 gallon which I would like to set up as a small SW. I know it might be a bit small, but that is what I have (I either make it a small Salt Water or a nice little FW community tank).

So, if anyone is entertaining questions, I have a few:

I live very close to the ocean (south Florida). Can I take sand from the ocean floor to start the cycling process? If I swim out to the first reef line and grab some rocks off the bottom, could I just use this as live rock? Is there any advantage to just using real ocean water to start the tank?

Anyway, I have a lot of research before I do anything, but I thought I would just kick it off with these questions.

Good day.

-Adam

 

Welcome to 3reef! {{{JUMP}}} {{{JUMP}}} {{{JUMP}}};D I wouldn't use sand from the beach but further into the ocean it might be ok you've gotta remember sand is there for filtration, so you're gonna get phosphates and other junk you don't want in your tank (possibly) by using the sand from the ocean also, there are so many places to buy everything you need for a tank....why take it from nature? it doesn't grow back

 

I think the live rock would work, but there may be local regulations as to what you can take out of the ocean. Also, a 10 gallon could work, but would require extra care and attention to ensure that the water parameters stay in the green. I hope you enjoy this new hobby!

 

A 10 gallon tank can be a real challenge to start out on.

Why not do it right and begin with at least a 55 gallon. Check out your local Craigslist and expect you will many to choose from.

Lots of aquacultured live rock comes from Florida...

If easy for you to get...go for it.

Just be certain you are not importing anything you don't want.

Have fun & Good luck.

Keep us posted.

P.S. Here are some good startup reads:



The Tao of Marine Aquaria (Tips for Our Hobby and Life)


3Reef Articles


Knowing How to Set Up a Marine Aquarium, Adam Blundell M.S.


Your First Reef aquarium: How to Create a Miniature Coral Reef System at Home.
by J. Charles Delbeek B.Sc., B.Ed., M.Sc.


About.com - Saltwater Aquariums 101 "Getting Started" FREE Email Course


Thinking about setting up a saltwater aquarium? (melevsreef.com)


An Introduction to the Marine Aquarium Hobby (Part 1) - Associated Content (Parrothead)


An Introduction to the Marine Aquarium Hobby (Part 2) - Associated Content (Parrothead)


A List Of Good Beginner Fish


Fish To Be Avoided - I


Fish To Be Avoided - II

 

welcome to 3reef. ^^ agreed..........its harder to begin with a smaller tank becuase, of chemistry.....let me give you an example......if you are in a closed small room like a bath room and tear gas is employed in, you are going to be affected alot......if you are in a stadium and tear gas is employed then its really dont going top affect you too much.......with a 10 gallon say as oppossed to a 55 gallon, the 10 gallon will be much more suscetable to tempature swings....salinity spikes....amonia and nitrate spikes from over feeding and something dieing.....i feel that i ahve done alot of reasearch and alot of hopurs into my tank...and have have had a saltwater tank running for like 5 or 6 months now, and i would not attempt a 10 gallon just yet...

 

Welcome to 3Reef>>>>

 

Welcome to 3Reef my fellow Floridian. You can have a 10g SW tank but it will be challenging as mentioned below. Its not recommended to take anything straight from the ocean, (even thou I do it sometimes, but I know what am doing and looking for). Most LFS in Florida will get there water from the ocean, but it has to be a couple miles out and at least 50' down. As for the sand, I would rather get the live sand in the LFS, its "safer" and cleaner than the ocean's. Dont take any short cuts b/c it will only bring you back to the beginning again, not to mention more money.

One more sit to visit.......... Saltwater Aquarium Setup Guide

Where in S FLA are you in? Luna

 

Hi all,

Thanks for all your replies and you welcoming me to this forum.

I was asked why a 10 gallon and not just move up to something like a 55.

Well, these are the issues that are motivating a smaller tank (suggestions and critiques welcome!)

1) Money - I have a fairly small income (grad student stipend). My experience with FW tells me that setting up and maintaining bigger tanks just cost a lot more. While I can certainly go out and buy a bigger tank, then I have to get stronger lights, more expensive filters, more decorations/rocks to fill the tank, more fish to fill the tank, and not to mention the higher electric bills over the months. So, while I do not want to be cheap about it, I would like to keep the costs reasonable for my situation. A small 10 gallon FW tank can be setup and maintained for next to nothing, I am hoping a small SW will be not too much more (though I do know that SW will cost more than FW).

2) I am not in a permanent residence, and will probably have to move again within 2 years. I imagine that it would be very difficult to move a large tank? It would be a shame to setup a large tank and have it all die when I move. But, a smaller tank may be easier to transport and put back together.

So, those are my two major issues that are leaning me towards a smaller tank (also add to the fact that I already own a 10 g with a light top). As I said, I do not want to be rash about this, and I do want to do my research well. Thanks for all the links to good web pages.

The way I look at it, I could just give a good shot at a 10 g and take lots of care of it, and if it works Great! And if it does not work, I still would have learned a lot about SW, and I will be ready for a larger tank upon graduation in a few years.

Currently, I am interested in just fish right now (no coral). Would a 10g be better with live rock or dead rock?

Luna, nice to see another Floridian. I am also in Miami. I used to do my FW shopping at Exotic Aquariums on Bird (and recently used them to setup my new cold water FW). They seem to have a large selection of SW as well. Do you know if they are good for SW, or do you have another place you trust?

-Adam

 

Welcome to 3reef!

get it all from the store. Our LR here in our oceans is awesome and would be great for your tank, but that's a huge NO,NO according to the FWC and Marine Patrol. hefty fines and criminal record. sand would be great too, but u'd have to go way out to get it. same w/ water, so i suggest getting everything from LFS.

10 gal sounds good for your reasons on going small, but remember, smaller tanks are alot less forgiving.