Attmpting to start my first SW Tank, with a few questions...

[yespuhyren]

I've never done saltwater before, and had some questions about pricing and would possibly like some advice. I am 18, and will be getting a new tank regardless, and would prefer to make it saltwater instead of another freshwater tank.

First of all, the tank that I'm looking at purchasing is 120 Gallons. The SINGLE most important thing for this tank would be having a nice puffer fish.

So, I have a few questions:

1) What kind of substrate would you recommend?

2) Approximately how much extra does it cost to make a tank this size into a saltwater tank compared to a freshwater tank?

3) What pufferfish could be a nice, large, and not overly expensive, and would do well in a tank this size?

4) What other fish would I be able to keep with it?

Jason

 

[Ti]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=166836

 

[Aadler]

Substrate depends on your personal preference, my coice would be sand.

For a fish only tank... you have the added cost of salt, whatever decor you want, possibly a skimmer, and powerheads.

I think you could get away with most puffers i would go with a http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=256 spiny box(just my favorite), pick whatever one you like the looks of though. As far as keeping them with other fish, most books you read say puffers dont make great tank mates, i think you would have to stay away from smaller fish. But i would think you could keep a nice selection of fish with him, make sure they are fast enough to run away or big enough to hold their own

 

[markandkristen]

if your going with a pufferfish then most likely reef is out of the question.
my 90gal has a skimmer that cost 250.
my favorite substrate is southdown sand. cheap and looks like the ocean.
hang on the back filters like the walmart kind, doesnt seem to be as effective as a sump with live rock for filteration.(my personal opinion.
the dog nose puffer is pretty inexpensive
you can keep angelfish. the majestic would be perfect for that size of tank.

 

[yespuhyren]

Thanks a lot for the advice. The price may prove to be a little bit too costly, but we'll see what happens. There is a good chance that I will be hired on as staff at the LFS, and with that I would get a 25% discount on livestock, as well as a 20% discount on hardware, food, etc. This would definitely help the pockets

 

[fishes2889]

i think all beginners should start with a nice 40g or 60g ........120 i s a bit to big for so many things to go wrong on ur first tank..................just my opinion

steve

 

[fishes2889]

or a 55 like i did