New to saltwater and need help with tank ect

Hey everyone so I am a noob to the whole saltwater thing and and need help finding a tank. I am thinking at good 45-55 tank that has everything built in that way it would be easier for me knowing nothing about all the crazy things saltwater entails.

I also would like a tank that has the water dropping back in to the filtration(not sure if this is actually where it is going) from the surface of the water so that the lights can work more effectively.

So I would love any suggestions for a manly soft and some hard coral tank, meaning lights, a skimmer(a quite one because its going to be in my bedroom) and anything else.

Thank you very much for your help and yes I am looking at all the FAQ's for all the info I really should learn.

 

Sounds like you want a tank that has its filtration, lighting, etc built in. I think they sell tanks like that in that size. But if you're setting it up by yourself and you've never done it before, sooner or later you'll have to immerse yourself in some hardcore science. Thats why you have us now, WELCOME!

If you're not sure what you're doing, be sure to read a lot, because unless you have a really good lfs, many times they can steer you in worse directions than you could by yourself. So just ask plenty of questions here, see about picking up Julian Sprung's book The Reef Aquarium, and also check out wetwebmedia.com for good marine articles.

 

wwm is a good site i kinda wish there articles were longer though. they make you want to know more

 

I guess thats what books are for or in my case I just asked my hubby a million questions a day until he would runaway screaming. heehee

 

Welcome to 3reef and to the dark side of the pond.....jejeje Just remember that the only stupid question that you can make, is the one you dont ask. Also try this web site, its very helpful. www.saltwater101.com Luna

 

Another good book is "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" by Robert Fenner. But being in the position you are in, I would not buy anything until you learn a little about what you are getting into. You may, down the road, kick yourself for getting the all in one once you become aquainted with the other possibilities. Just go through this site. Look at the pics that people have put up of their tanks. Look at the threads having to do with tank builds. Another great resource of things you will need in the future. Just read read read and research research research. Don't rush anything in this hobby. It will most always be detrimental.

 

Oh......and welcome to 3reef dude.;D

 

If i understand what you are saying and what you want, I would suggest you get a 'reef ready' tank. This means that it is drilled with bulk heads for returns and has a built in overflow to go to the sump/refugium. They do have tanks, I think up to 34 gal. that have everything built in, try this link Aquapod | Current What's NextThis may all sound very confusing and it is, it took me a while to figure out what does what and what equipment is good. My best piece of advice is to start slowly and take your time. I've done some things that looking back on, I wish I could have done it in a different way.

 

Honestly, in my opinion, there really isn't one. I discovered that the hard way, when I went with a "combo kit". Everything that is sold in the packages, even the ones that are geared at saltwater, come with inadequate equipment that will need to be replaced anyways, specially if your going to want to get into corals. It's not worth spending the extra money on a combo, only to replace all the equipment you just spent extra on getting. The only things left from my combo are the tank and stand, I could have saved a couple hundred bucks had I not gotten the combo.
Your best bet is to just get a tank and stand, and nothing else. Research the equipment you will need for whatever sized tank you just got, and go from there. Craigslist is a great place to find tanks/stands on the cheap, saving you even more money to get even better equipment.

 

Wow everyone thank you very much for the warm reception, and the advice. Ya im not good at going slow but have a feeling if I don't with this tank I might be screwing myself out of even more money then the already staggering cost to start the hobby.

The tank that I was looking for was this one
SeaClear 46 Gallon Bowfront System II Aquarium w/ Built in Filtration

The problem is that I would most likly need to up grade the lights to t-5's, get a heater, protein skimmer, and I think there is only one water jet(not sure what there called) and in a 47 gal with reef it seams like I am going to need a lot more water moving.
Thoughts on the tank?