Starting Question

D

dkim128

New member
I just made the leap from freshwater to saltwater tanks. So far I have 2, 55 gallons and 4, 20 gallon tanks that I would like to set up for saltwater tanks.

I live in the North Suburbs of Chicago, allowing me to choose a lot of places to visit.

I plan on making a coral tank with clownfishes. And the other one to house a pair of H. Erectus.

But as for now, I decided to look for any starter culture or cheap supplies that I might need.

I'll keep you guys posted with my progress. I'm sure my first salt water tank isn't going to be as nice as some of the ones I've seen.
 
Welcome. A word of advice, you may want to start out with one tank for a little while (the 55 would be best) and then slowly set up the other tanks so as not to overwhelm yourself. Trust me, I made that mistake myself and it cost me alot of frustration and a bit of my sanity :).

For good deals on supplies keep your eyes on the Used Equipment Selling and right here on CMAS. Also, another effective way to find equipment is to post a WTB thread here on CMAS. Lots of people have equipment laying around that they don't need and a WTB thread may remind them about that equipment that's been lying around collecting dust.

Please let us know about the layout of the system that you intend to setup and perhaps we can be of some help.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8073370#post8073370 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hansnfrans
Welcome. A word of advice, you may want to start out with one tank for a little while (the 55 would be best) and then slowly set up the other tanks so as not to overwhelm yourself. Trust me, I made that mistake myself and it cost me alot of frustration and a bit of my sanity :).

For good deals on supplies keep your eyes on the Used Equipment Selling and right here on CMAS. Also, another effective way to find equipment is to post a WTB thread here on CMAS. Lots of people have equipment laying around that they don't need and a WTB thread may remind them about that equipment that's been lying around collecting dust.

Please let us know about the layout of the system that you intend to setup and perhaps we can be of some help.
Click to expand...
You are a fountain of (usefull) knowledge my friend!:smokin:
 
I definately second pioneers idea to go speak with Rod :thumbsup:. If there is one person that I would refer a newbie to, it would be Rod. His tanks are a Perfect example of how to successfully setup a stable system that is as natural as possible. And yes, you will need to plan on being there at least 1 hour. Make sure to write down your questions ahead of time, otherwise you will get caught up in the conversation and forget about alot of things that you wanted to ask.

What town are you in dkim??

Also, if you have time to read, make sure to p/u these books:

1) Book of Coral Propagation by Anthony Calfo

2) Aquarium Corals by Eric Borneman

3) The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Bob Fenner

Pretty much any book by Bob Fenner, Eric Borneman, Anthony Calfo, or Julian Sprung is a great read and will serve as an invaluable reference for many years to come. HTH.
 
Rod is the perfect man for the job and definitely worth the trip. hansnfrans is right, write down your ?'s because Rod is a reel easy guy to talk to. also, The Conscientious Marine Aquarist is a great book.
 
I am located in Morton Grove, which is about 10 minutes away from Chicago. I have been reading a lot about salt water tanks, and was hoping to do some automated system. However, the planning and cost are extremely high, so that idea had been scratched off.

Because I heard that salt water tanks take a long time to set up. Hopefully by the time I put in the starting equipment and the sand and let it all balance out, by then I would know enough so I won't miserably fail attempting to set up my first salt water.

So I decided to go with my 55 gallon tank. Hopefully I'm going to be putting in a colony of clownfish probably false percula or the maroons, and then use this as a coral tank. I have been attempted to put an anemone just to see how they interact, but I heard some of the clownfish will become territory or the anemone will attack the coral. And I don't really want to run into those issues as I am a newbie. Still I had no clue how many different types of corals there was. I always thought corals were some type of algae....good thing I did a little research.

So my main question:
What kind of equipment should I buy, what type of lighting system, and what type of corals.

I was leaning towards the maxi-jet 1200, and I was hoping to get by with a the 40 w shoplights, but I don't want to cheap out and use them when I have the corals so I now have to research the lighting systems. Then later I'll be struggling with what coral to put. =D I feel like after all that research I know absolutely nothing about this hobby. Must take years to finally be able to understand this...
 
Okay, we need a little bit of info from ya in order to address your equipment questions.

We need to know:

1) Do you want to set up the lighting/filtration so that you will be prepared when you are bitten by the SPS bug? In other words do you want to set up your system appropriately the first time so that you aren't doing a bunch of upgrades down the road? It will have a higher initial cost, but it will save lots of money by reducing the need for upgrades later.

2) How many and what types of fish do you envision in this 55gal?

It's nice to spend a little more in the beginning and know that you can put almost any coral in your tank and keep it alive. But you have to be willing to spend the $ now.

So, is the 55gal full of salt water yet or is it sitting empty?
 
I would like to setup the system, so I would not have to upgrade it later on. I want mainly clownfish maybe 6 in a 55 gallon and a lot of invertebrates. Also it is sitting empty.

I also have a couple other 55 gallons and 20, 15, and 10's to set up if I need to connect them for refuguims, or sumps.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8081561#post8081561 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dkim128
I would like to setup the system, so I would not have to upgrade it later on. I want mainly clownfish maybe 6 in a 55 gallon and a lot of invertebrates. Also it is sitting empty.

I also have a couple other 55 gallons and 20, 15, and 10's to set up if I need to connect them for refuguims, or sumps.
Click to expand...

Its a constant upgrade...first you'll just want fish...then you'll want a coral, then you'll buy lights, then a skimmer, etc.....its non stop....its kinda like crack.
 
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...=PROD&Product_Code=BK-RA3&Category_Code=Books


This book is excellent for both the "newbie" and the "advanced aquarist. It will answer all of your questions and a bunch more that you have not even asked. Also, get the "premium membership" to Reef Central so you can search, there is a TON of info on this site.
A few personal thoughts, don't skimp out during the initial set up, especially on lights and skimmer. Buy a good skimmer, you will need a sump to run it, unless you get a hang on type, but most of those are not very efficient (ASM G2 or G3 would be perfect). Anemone's require sufficient lighting, and a shop light won't cut it. Metal Halide is the most popular, with VHOs and T5s, then Power Compact lighting....power compacts are the least powerful, and bulbs last the shortest duration...yet local fish stores seem to push them the most. If you watch this forum for a few weeks or so your quite likely to find a lot of quality used equipment for very reasonable prices...as we are always upgrading and tend to take very good care of our stuff. Also, as others have stated, think about a trip out to Rod's Reef in Dekalb, one of many good LFS stores around here that will get you started in the right direction...but be warned, there are just as many that are just looking to make a $$.

Patrick
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

P
50 Gallon Stocking Help
2
Replies
21
Views
1K
Urka
U
N
Saltwater cycle possible stuck
2
Replies
26
Views
1K
Guygettnby
Guygettnby
B
Seahorse Macro Setup Question
Replies
4
Views
321
vlangel
vlangel
Brian60077
Big project starting today......
Replies
7
Views
514
Dustin07
D
V
Feedback on this stocking list for 30g
Replies
0
Views
119
Varanis
V
Back
Top