newbie needs help

[jstevenson67]

Hey All, great site!

Just moved here from the UK and am looking to set up a native tank. From scratch... I've had freshwater for years, but do not know where to start looking for hardware/advice for marine. I'd like at least a 55gal, but don't want to get ripped off. I know it is contentious to recommend one shop over another, but if anyone has experiences or advice (pm welcome) this newbie would be truly grateful. With many thanks in advance, james

 

[adnup]

John at Fish and other Ichthy Things has been known to know a thing or two.. <a href="http://www.ichthythings.com/" target="_blank">Check them out here</a>

 

[alizarin]

Native tank as in wild caught fish or just a reef or marine tank in general?

 

[mrferrit]

i see your in pinellas is that st pete or clearwater there is alot of people here that can help so what are you looking for a gulf/bay tank a coral or fish only or aggressive ?
do you have a tank yet or looking to get one?

Dennis

 

[reefrubble]

adnup, is a good guy to talk to , he can show you how to save a Dollar, or Two on your set up. Ted

 

[playa0069u]

pm me please! I got the native hookup lol and I live very close to you and would love to help. Your in education? or are you a student. My mom teaches in Pinellis.

 

[jstevenson67]

I am without tank, etc. Not interested in a showcase tank, just a collection of wild-collected fish, inverts. I'm a teacher, so funds are vry limited. Would be happy with a used 55gal and the requisite support pumps/skimmers. Thank you for all the replies!
J

 

[playa0069u]

wild collected yourself? like YOU personally collect them? or wild caught fish.

 

[mrferrit]

if your interested in collecting Seining,diving, snorkeling or what ever let me know id be interested or if ya ever want to check my system your welcome to it aint much but its not too bad.

 

[Gimplar]

yeah if you guys are seining, diving, or snorkeling, let me know, cause i'd be willing to do that.

 

[jenate20]

PM i know a guy with used stuff for cheap

 

[Brazengrrl]

best advice I got was NOT to get a 55 gallon tank, trying to aquascape it is a nightmare! Go with a 58 or 65 at least. good luck!

 

[playa0069u]

yes, BUT it can be done, and 55's are cheap and common.

 

[BlueCoast]

whee - this sounds like fun, I've got everything but a tank and would love to get wet again.... getting a little chilly these days but what is a little sacrifice eh? Sounds like there is a good size group interested in getting out...

Let's get something going!!

 

[mrferrit]

im down when we goin i might just have to set my 46 back up and create a bay/gulf tank we aught t o make it a regular thing
so where we goin and when lets do it .........

 

[jstevenson67]

OK, we'll have to organise a big SEINEFEST soon, hopefully I'll get a tank in the meantime! Lots of great support from this awesome site! A friend has prepared an article on native tank start-up for the local shell club. She is a wealth of information/experience AND she's got a kid who is awesome at finding rarities (baby flounder, blenies, toadfish, and live trash often full of niche-dwelling species) all with low-tech collecting equipment. Can't wait to meet you all out there!

 

[adnup]

ladyfsu is a teacher in Pasco. I think she has set up a gulf tank. Her web page is here: http://www.reefrascals.org/

 

[alizarin]

I go catch cleanup crew critters all the time in the sea grass beds, there's lots of interesting stuff to catch out there. playa0069u and I are going to catch gobies this morning. There's allot less to catch in the winter though.