opinions wanted for cold feet

Hello, I am considering starting a 100 gallon salt tank for a dog faced puffer. In fact, I intended to have it up and runnig back in Feb. but got cold feet. I put my water and substrate in before Christmas and was letting it do its thing, adding some fish food daily to help it cycle. Then my 75 gal fresh water tank crashed and burned. I don't know WHAT happened but all the fish started croaking, including some rather expensive ones that I had had since last spring. I never found out why or what happened and this has made me very nervous.
So, my question is, should I do this new tank? I have 2 of the large penguin biowheel filters on it, and was planning on getting some live rock before the fish. If what I have is not enough please tell me as I do not want to kill the puffer, they are too wonderful.
Also, how much water should be changed and how often?
If going with the puffer isn't good right now, I may do a 20 or 29 gallon with a couple of anemone fish.
Please let me know what you think and I will consider everything carefully.
Thanks

 

http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hobby/whats-important-successful-tank-108699.html also the bigger the tank the easier if i was u id do a lot of reading here on 3reef be4 moving forward goodluck and welcome also maybe get a book on keeping salt water fisheys most are out dated but still will help

 

^^^+1 to the link, a great read and a great help

 

Scratch the biowheels and get yourself a skimmer!! I was in your position a few months ago, I'd always wanted to setup a salty tank, but didn't know where to start. I literally had NO CLUE what I was doing. You really just need to take some time, and do as much research as you possibly can. Then do some more after that haha. The link bioreefdude has up there will help you out a bunch. Your definitely in the right place here, everyone is more than willing to answer any questions you have. Read up on the equipment you need to sustain a saltwater aquarium. Keep in mind, "you get what you pay for". Although craigslist/ebay was my savior! Setting up the smaller tank, might be even more difficult than setting up the 100 gallon for your first tank. In the 100 gallon, you would have more room for "error". In smaller tanks, water quality is a big factor. Being that if theres a problem, it will effect the smaller tank more quickly, as opposed to a 100 gallon tank where you would have more time to fix problems before it spreads throughout the tank.. So its really up to you which tank you setup first man. But like I said, research research research!!!

 

I started my saltwater tank, and the same thing happened where suddenly a freshwater tank I had a freshwater tank that had been seemingly stable for a while suddenly crashed. I know I suddenly started regretting the idea of getting into saltwater because "if I screwed up a freshwater tank, why do I think I can handle a saltwater one?!"

Well, so far, my saltwater tank (which, I will admit is super basic as it's FOWLR) is going great and I actually find maintainance easier than my freshwater (though, there is more in saltwater... but for some reason it's more enjoyable to me. weird. I know.)

So basically, don't get discouraged. Just take things slow, do them right, and don't cut corners, and odds are everything will work out great

 

Thanks...and keep the thoughts coming!

I have played with saltwater off and on for a while. In fact I had a 1 gallon set up about 40 years ago. Gives you a hint to my age, lol. I am by far not even close to knowing what I am doing but I did have a good time with a 20 long about 10 years ago that had a few corals in it and had an undergravel filter and a skilter.

I am just freaked by my fresh tank crashing like that as I have never had it happen and do not know what I did wrong. I do not like killing my fish.

 

well fishy the game has changed just a tad maybe u should check out a few of the 100g builds on here Show Off Your Fish Tanks! - 3reef Forums to give urself a lil refresh

 

Lol bioreefdudes right. The games changed since your one gallon.. New and better equipment comes out all the time. I think you will enjoy the saltwater tank much more than your fresh anyways. With the technology available to amateur reefers today, anyone can make their own tank and be successful. Just take it step by step and ask questions along the way. Take the chance.. I say setup that bad boy! (the 100 gal)

 

you could use the bio wheels and the skimmer. thats what I have on my 46 gal and I am very happy with the set up. I DO think you should push forward with this tank. thats just my 2 cents. one thing you do need to know is that in this hobby you WILL have losses, some greater than others. but what you learn from your losses makes for a great knowledge of what your doing and future success!