Need help getting started.

I am interested into getting into saltwater aquariums. I currently have a freshwater tank, which is 29 gallons. But i want to move on to salt water, because my friend keeps making me jealous on how he has one and makes fun of me for having a freshwater.. and i personally like the looks of saltwater better. The problem is, I dont really know what I need? My friend has his own opinion on filters, and i figured i should get more opinions. I was thinking about buying a 26 gal bowfront. Maybe a checklist and some help on what you recommend me starting with would be nice, thanks!!

 

Here's a link to one simple approach--a "checklist" of sorts.... You'll need to do lots of research to find what best suits your likes and dislikes... Good luck!

Aquarium Set-up: Step-by-step Guide to Creating a Reef Aquarium

 

Welcome to 3reef

Read the link it is good stuff.

 

Also, there's another informative write-up on 3reef for starting up a reef system....but I'm having problems finding it at the moment..

 

http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hobby/ultimate-newbie-guide-86462.html

Duh, it was a sticky... haha

Written by anpgp.

 

Just FYI... The bigger the better for saltwater tanks. The larger your tank is, the more room for error you have in terms of keeping your parameters in check. My advice, is that if you have the money to do so, buy as big of a tank as you can. As you will probablyyy want to upgrade to a larger one soon after you start anyways But running a 26 gal salty tank is by NO means impossible. Whatever you wanna do!

 

Thanks! But in that link it says i have to wait to cure the live rock, but can i just buy cured live rock?

I read about that, but i dont think i would be able to manage a larger tank's costs.

 

Check out your local craigslist. Buying a used tank is MUCH cheaper than buying everything new. I bought my 40 gallon with a canister filter, protein skimmer, stand, heater, powerheads, and a few other extra's for 200 bucks.. Everything I needed aside from the lights. Which I eventually bought off ebay, and ended up saving a few hundred bucks on those. Its def the way to go, in my opinion.

 

To answer your question. You can use base rock with a piece of LR, it will seed the other pieces of rock during your cycle. Or just all live rock.. Whichever.

 

okay, thanks!