tank size?

so a few ppl have told me that bigger is better. is that true, i have never have a saltwater tank befor, but i have tones of exp with freshwater tanks. but im shur that there is a lot more responsability invoved with saltwater tanks. i have yet to buy any components for my futur saltwater tank, i would just like to know what any of you more exp guys know about the basics of saltwater tanks. what would you recomend, i would love you hear your advice about a good tank size, lighting, filters, skimmers, heaters, power heads, and so on and so forth. and also good beginer fish and corals. should i use live rock? thanks a lot and i appreciate your feed backs!

 

I can only speak from the VERY limited SW experience that I have, although after much reading, both here and on the Internet, I chose to start with a FOWLR tank (Fish Only With Live Rock). The need for lots of extra equipment and chemicals is minimal, and the live sand and live rock will do the vast majority of the chemical balancing. You don't need any super filtration/overflow/fuge setups or any high dollar lighting until you start getting into coral and reef critters.

Read up at saltwater101.com - its a great site for beginners with tons of great information and tips. Talk to your lfs - and find one that you trust and you get along with. I went to four different stores before I found one that I feel I can trust, and even at that I like to talk to them and then run thier advice by this forum.

There is an absolute wealth of information in the people that frequent this forum and the majority of that info comes from real world experience.

My tank is a 37 gallon bowed front. I only have about 15 lbs of LR in it now (going to go to 30-35 soon) with 40 lbs of live sand. I am only using the emperor 400 hang on filter with the bio-wheels and carbon filters. The bio-wheels can be a real nitrate factory, but I've been trying to keep a close eye on the numbers with chem checks every couple of days.

Like I said, I'm real new to it and learning myself. Good luck and post lost of pics. We love pics!!!

 

Hi Michael,

You are asking the right questions.

Much of what you might need to know is covered in the below links.

Please post any questions you need to know more specifics about.

Good Luck.





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)

"Getting Started" - Mike Paletta

A List Of Good Beginner Fish

Fish To Be Avoided - I

Fish To Be Avoided - II

Your Aquarium Cleanup Crew

Corals

What They Are and How They Live​

by J. Charles Delbeek​

"They are mysterious guests from an exotic world. Unlike anything else we keep in an aquarium, they represent the essence of the coral reefs that we try to duplicate in our living rooms. Our success at this effort depends greatly on how well we understand these unusual life forms.

Unfortunately, for the average hobbyist, the increased availability of these animals is not matched by the information available concerning their biology and care. Too often, hobbyists know more about who manufactures their aquarium equipment than basic biological information, or proper identification of the animals they are striving to keep. And yet, without this information it is difficult to provide the optimum conditions that will allow them to grow and reproduce."

Answers to Everything!​

Marine Aquarium Articles and FAQ's
WebMedia.com​

Learn to Live With It
​

Adam Blundell M.S. ​

"...As surprising as it may seem your tank will look ugly at first. This happens to all new marine aquariums as they cycle through their initial filtration phase. Your tank may go brown, and then green, and then red, and then just look junky. It happens. Consequently the one coral you really want to keep may not live. You may struggle to raise the prize fish you originally intended to acquire. It's okay; just learn to love whatever is working for you. Remember, not only is this a hobby, but we are keeping living ecosystems. Special efforts should be put forth to enjoy and appreciate what we are keeping, whatever it may be. It takes time and patience to turn a glass box full of rock into a beautiful, thriving reef tank..."



;D​

 

thanks a lot, i think i will have a look at that site. and yeah don't worry when i start my new tank i will want to show it off haha! thanks illushinz.

 

thank you, you gnarly old codfish lol. i will look at them now.