complete newbie...what do i need to start?

liamohara

New member
i am a complete newbie to the marine aquarium but i want to staat a 100gal set up...thing i si dont have a clue where to start or waht equipment i need????
help greatly appreciated
 
the best place to start is right here asking questions Lots of them.Also read, read, read some more. Get an understanding of the nitrogen cycle. Then get an understanding of the Ph calcium alkalinity issue. Think about your setup how to make things easy, like water changes, tank maintenance testing etc etc. Buy the best equip. you can afford. If you cant get the good stuff I say wait till you can. Be patient and go slowly and keep asking lots and lots of questions !!!
 
[welcome]

i agree if you never had a reef tank yet then first off i would start of by reading as much as you can. also on equipment don't skimp on some stuff as lights, protein skimmer, and such. here are some good articals to start reading to get you started. good luck.
So you got a new fish tank Newbie
Filter this Through that Thick Skull of Your's-Newbie!!
Quarantine 101
Alright Newbie; Let's shed some light on this subject.
Hey you dumb Newbies!!!!
Reef Aquarium Water Parameters

hope these help and ask questions if your confused on anything
 
My wife gave me a copy of Saltwater Aquariums for Dummies. I thought it was well organized and well written. Not a lot of in depth stuff, but seems to give enough info to start with. If nothing else, you'll get some ideas on what to ask about.

Matt
 
Also get one or two books on the subject, My preferred one which have info for starters but not os basic that you outgrow them fast is "The reef aquarium" Volume 3 from Delbek and Sprung.
 
Decide what you want in the tank first. And then work out the equipment list.

There are many online stores that have a comprehensive list of fish and corals, have a look at them, see which one you like. Go to the member's gallery on RC and ask member questions :) - you can send them private messages too.

This is a good one: LiveAquaria.com
 
Read Read Read. Decide what kind of tank you want to set up ( there are differences based on what you want to grow in the tank), then make an equipment list, then let the money pit begin!
 
knowledge patience and cash is what you need, d rember one very important thing, not eveyone whos works in a fish shop knowd s everything, if your nut sure about buying somthign dont, asjk here first, i wasted loads of money on useless junk!
 
Yes, but just think about the poor souls that have wasted countless hours reading my junk. :D

I hope that Dummies book has been edited as it did have such gems as "Live rock, bought dry at the local fish store". As the main reason to have LR was to "look cool" to other reefers. :eek1:
 
Another website with lots of good info is www.wetwebmedia.com

The lights that you get will decide what you can have in your tank... If you want the hard (SPS) corals, then you will need more light than if you just wanted to keep zoanthoids... If you want anenomes - you need more light. The list can go on...
 
Once you've done the research and formulated a plan, post your plan here for comment before buying anything. I wish I had done that. I've basically redone my setup twice over not knowing any better in the beginning costing me lots of wasted $. Good luck!
 
ok well so far i have read through the posts and ALL the links (it was a long night).
I have decided to run a 10gal sump
i have also just been informed that i am able to get Glass through a client at my fathers work cut to any size i desire but am not sure of the dimentions or the desing of the tank.(if anyone can help and provide plans/pictures and advice this would be great)
what glass thickness will i need to construct a 4" by 2" by 2"

i want to start with a marginal reef tank so i need advice on lighting, filters ect. i would like to know generaly what the usual set up is for a tank of this size.

i want desperatly to have a decent sized anemone and some clown fish to
 
Last edited:
also anyone know of any good places where i can order equipment, live rock, ectoff the net and have it sent to me in australia?
 
Back
Top