noob with a Q

[Sk8r]

Yes, before we scare this new reefer into next week, let's also mention the cheapest way into this hobby to be able to keep very many things, and that is the Aquapod, Solana, etc, ---the all-in-ones. They have miniaturized but functional equipment, let you learn the ropes until you're sure whether this is for you, you use it until you get too ambitious---and then you sell it on to the next person. A used Aquapod could get you into the hobby for not very much cash at all: new, they're around 300.00. Check out Foster-smith etc, on the all-in-ones and then check out the Used Equipment forum and you may feel a lot less wallet-shock!
There are quite a few marine fish and inverts that do nicely in a pod: the smallest clowns, gobies, blennies, all colorful and personable fish: these are good systems, and you don't have to be a master chemist or plumber to get set up: they work pretty well out of the box, some sand, live rock, and a month's patience and you're up and running.

 

[Sk8r]

Yes, before we scare this new reefer into next week, let's also mention the cheapest way into this hobby to be able to keep very many things, and that is the Aquapod, Solana, etc, ---the all-in-ones. They have miniaturized but functional equipment, let you learn the ropes until you're sure whether this is for you, you use it until you get too ambitious---and then you sell it on to the next person. A used Aquapod could get you into the hobby for not very much cash at all: new, they're around 300.00. Check out Foster-smith etc, on the all-in-ones and then check out the Used Equipment forum and you may feel a lot less wallet-shock!
There are quite a few marine fish and inverts that do nicely in a pod: the smallest clowns, gobies, blennies, all colorful and personable fish: these are good systems, and you don't have to be a master chemist or plumber to get set up: they work pretty well out of the box, some sand, live rock, and a month's patience and you're up and running.

 

[Im14abeer]

Hi alpine, you can limp in to saltwater, but consider this. Doing things "right" from the start is always less expensive and more rewarding. I put right in quotes because there are multiple ways of accomplishing your goals, and here at reef central, they've all been tried. The first thing to decide is what you aim to keep, then build the system around the most demanding specimens.

This hobby has a huge attrition rate, IMO because people get in over their heads right away, too much, too fast. That doesn't have to happen. If you make good use of the search function and resources here and other sites, you can avoid the mistakes that drive others back to freshwater or out of the hobby.

That said, regardless of what you intend to keep, if it were me I'd...

1) Drill the tank for overflows. The tank will be empty and HOB overflows, though better than ever, are always a potential flood source.

2) Get the biggest tank that will fit in your stand for a sump/fuge

3) Replace the sandbed

4) Get some live rock

5) Find a protein skimmer, properly sized to your tank, and with a good reputation.

6) Refractometer, hydrometers are mostly junk, and good ones cost as much as a refractometer. (read about proper calibration)

7) Read, Read, Read. This is more important than all the equipment. If you do enough reading, you'll know for yourself what will likely work and what likely won't.

8) Don't take criticism too hard, for one thing tone doesn't come across in this medium. And those who have harsh words for your mistakes have almost certainly made those mistakes themselves.

Good luck and one other thing... if you haven't found the subscribe link yet, look under the reply box at the end of the thread. There's the three boxes for submit, spell check and reset. Under that are three links, it's the one to the far right.

 

[alpine36]

thanks for all the replies.

I will eventually go to salt water if the time ever comes.

I realize that it will take the bulk of my time and money once i get started, so I'm going to simplify the rest of my life first in preparation.

Not sure yet, what I want to keep.

I love corals, I also love critters, and predatory fish are cool looking, but I am aware that not all species get along. i would like to have a sea horse and a eel as well, if possible..

i'm mainly scared of losing my fish because of some small parasite or illness, or just plan old water imbalance, due to lack of testing periodically.