Saltwater Questions...

[SoberGuy]

I'm thinking about setting up a saltwater tank. I've heard they can be a pain in the butt, and I've also people only say that because they are more expensive, but are actually easier to care for. At any rate, I haven't found much info on what's necessary to set up a saltwater. Anyone know some good places to look, what kind of equipment is good/bad? Any help is appreciated! Thanks in advance.

[Talib Kweli]

Originally Posted by SoberGuy

I'm thinking about setting up a saltwater tank. I've heard they can be a pain in the butt, and I've also people only say that because they are more expensive, but are actually easier to care for. At any rate, I haven't found much info on what's necessary to set up a saltwater. Anyone know some good places to look, what kind of equipment is good/bad? Any help is appreciated! Thanks in advance.

If money is not an option they can be easily cared for. Just get a tank, a lot of live rock, a good lighting system, and a good protein skimmer.

The live rock does all off the chem filt. and the live rock, with enough light an water movement / aeration, will do the bio filt.

If you supplement this with a good canister filter that does both chem bio filt. you are set.

This is what I know about. I know I am a newb and have asked like 50 questions.

If money is an option there are many other ways to go.

[blkcrochunter]

The only downfall about salt water aquariums is, you have to constantly check the quality of the water. Some people buy it from pet stores already mixed, I think it is called instant ocean. If the quality of the water is not right all your fish will bite the dust. Just something to think about. Also alot of places dont give you the same garuntee on salt water fish that you get on tropical fish. Some even suggest that you bring in a sample of your water before you purchase anyfish.

[SoberGuy]

I don't have any problem with it being a little difficult, or having to monitor the tank regularly. I'm looking for some info on set-up, equipment, etc. I haven't found much online yet, and I was just hoping someone here would be able to point me in the right direction.

[Alika]

Try "Saltwater Aquariums for Dummies".

This line of books comes highly recommended - at least when it comes to pets. I have 'Cockatiels for Dummies' and 'Iguanas for Dummies' and have read 'Birds for Dummies' and 'Reptiles and Amphibians for Dummies' and am planning on buying 'Parrots for Dummies' sometime in the future. They are thorough, easy to understand, and extremely accurate.

[SoberGuy]

I like the Dummies series. I just didn't want to buy another book, cause that means I need a new book case soon.

[Alika]

Originally Posted by SoberGuy

I like the Dummies series. I just didn't want to buy another book, cause that means I need a new book case soon.

LOL - you can't have too many books

But I hear ya... I asked for nothing but books for my birthday, and I've been out of room on my book case for a long, long time. Think I can convince my husband to build me a new one?

[DrkDweller]

IM going to have to disagree with blkcrochunter in a way, The water dose need to be tested but only once or twice a month when doing water changes, The maintance is the same as a freshwater witch is a 10% water change once every 2 weks, or once a month. Your Water Quality dosent need to be perfect. It just needs to be in the right area, PH needs to be 78-82, Am as close to 0 as posable, just as in fresh, Nitrates and Nitrites as close to 0 as well. Making saltwater is easy as well, just as Sea Salt to your bucket of water and test it with a hydromater, and all that requires is for you to dunk it then read it. Your question was kinda vage, post what size tank you want to set up, where your water is from if its well or city water. What kind of tank you want ie. Fish only, Reef, Agressive, Specis tank. If you got any questions fell free to ask me.

FYI: I got a 75 Reef(setup 4 years) 55 agressive( 2 years) 29 Reef/Angler tank ( set up since Oct of last year) 20 Reef/Brain Tank ( 4 years) 10Gal Prop system(1 year)
been in hobby for 4 years, and Lived in Hawaii for 21 years.

[yousuredo]

www.thereeftank.com has all your answers and a ton of people more than readytto answer your question....

[yousuredo]

or www.reefcentral.com both are excellent resourses for the salt water hobbie