Hi everyone! I just got a 55gal tank and thinking about starting a saltwater tank. I've kept freshwater fishes for about 5 years and left the hobby for 2 yrs. Now that I want to get back into fish keeping I want to try S/W. Anyway, can someone recommend a good & inexpensive protein skimmer? I'm looking to spend under $100 for one. Also, I really like lion fishes, puffers, triggers, clown fishes, blue tangs and blennies. Which ones can be kept together? Sorry, I'm new to saltwater fishes and don't know which ones are compatible. Lastly, what is the best type of live rock to get on a budget? I've seen ones from Fiji, etc..
New to saltwater
- Thread starter Stang408
- Start date
reefworm
New member
welcome on board RC
I would start by looking thoroughly at all the information in the link at the top of this forum for new to the hobby folks like yourself. lots of your answers will be found there. before you get into the fish themselves, take your time. marine tanks take LOTS of time and patience to be done successfully. research and more research of every step, every purchase, every change is always indicated. ask lots of questions. although there is some info and some skill sets that will transfer from your freshwater experience, the level of complexity in a marine system is orders of magnitude more. also, you'll learn that "you get what you pay for." this is not a hobby for cutting corners. to be sure, always shop for good deals, but NEVER compromise on quality. you'll just end up paying the money to upgrade later anyway. we'll be happy to help you walk through the mine field, and hopefully keep you from harm
Given all that, there are few hobbies that are more consuming and rewarding. make the learning part of the fun 
all the best in your endeavor,
-rw
I would start by looking thoroughly at all the information in the link at the top of this forum for new to the hobby folks like yourself. lots of your answers will be found there. before you get into the fish themselves, take your time. marine tanks take LOTS of time and patience to be done successfully. research and more research of every step, every purchase, every change is always indicated. ask lots of questions. although there is some info and some skill sets that will transfer from your freshwater experience, the level of complexity in a marine system is orders of magnitude more. also, you'll learn that "you get what you pay for." this is not a hobby for cutting corners. to be sure, always shop for good deals, but NEVER compromise on quality. you'll just end up paying the money to upgrade later anyway. we'll be happy to help you walk through the mine field, and hopefully keep you from harm
Given all that, there are few hobbies that are more consuming and rewarding. make the learning part of the fun all the best in your endeavor,
-rw
Playa-1
In Memoriam
To Reef Central
I think you need to slow down and rethink a few things. The fish you choose is going to dictate the size of tank you need. The size of tank and bioload is going to determine some of your equipment. So what do you want to keep? Be more specific. Some of these fish you mentioned could potentially require a much larger tank 150 gallon plus.
littlemannin
Premium Member
You may want to consider buying a used skimmer if your looking at a 100.00 budget. My buck was best spent on a Remora Pro. (that statement is gonna open a can of worms here). I bought 2 different skimmers before this one. Seaclone was one of them the other was some air pump operated thing. You want to steer clear of these as after I did the math, I spent the same on these 2 bad choices combined as I did for my Remora. Save some cash and research before buying.
personally id slow right down now, start to think about the long term, lots of questions you need to address, what do you intend to keep?reef or fish only, will you run a sump/ if so get askimmer suitible rather than hang on tank, will you set up a refugium? the list of questions can go on and on i agree with what playa said, id add to it as well, lots of great guys with great advice here on rc, but id also recommend a good book, and make a mental list of future livestock then you will have a idea of answers to your questions, welcome to reef central by the way and the best of luck to you
I got into this hobby pretty recently too. According to the other reefkeepers here, the best advice is to, "read, read, and read some more." Triggers, lionfish, and puffers are good candidates for aggressive fish-only tanks, while blennies tangs and clownfish are good reef fish. Good luck!
