[docdoo475]

Hey everyone.. I have pretty good experience with fresh water aquariums. But always wanted a salt water tank.

I did start one a couple years ago which did not last very long. I went against advice from friends.. they told me the bigger the tank the easier to maintain. I was on a budget and was bored so I bought a 6 gallon eclipse tank and a couple fish.

Let me tell you those poor fish did not stand a chance. The biggest mistake I made was that I kept adding salt in the water I added not even thinking that salt doesn't evaporate with the water!

But anyhow.. I'm ready to learn things the right way and hopefully the community here can help me decide what size tank, what kinda set up, etc etc would be best for me

Thanks!

[BLKBRDTA]

Hahaha, I got a kick out of that story! Its okay though, understandable rookie mistake, we have all had those at one point in time or another. You have come to the right place to learn from scratch though my friend. Lots of friendlies here that a very willing to help out anyone from beginners, to seasoned vets who suddenly ran into a wall. Ask away about anything and you will get a variety of answers in return. It also helps ReefBuilders to build a nice database for the people to come who may have the same question as yours, and its already answered..! Thats the beauty of forums.

Welcome to the reef!

[docdoo475]

Hey Thanks!

I think I narrowed my equipment down to a BioCube 29 with the optional protein skimmer.. that would be a good place to start yeah?

[pogodzib]

In general, the largest tank you can afford to keep, the better, due to a larger volume of water making the tank more stable. However, you also need to be able to afford to fill the tank with corals, fish, critters, etc... and all of the equipment to go along with it.

As for the skimmer, I prefer high quality stand alone skimmers over any all-in-one/optional/boxed type of skimmer. Next to lighting, protein skimmers are the single most important piece of equipment. Usually optional type of skimmers are way overpriced. There selling point is that they are made for the tank and how they look, not how well they function.

[carym]

Oh and by the way welcome, ask questions and somebody will answer, I do agree with everyone else so far saying the bigger the better, less chance of mistakes but it really doesn't guarantee anything. and yes you do need the rest of the equipment to go along with it...

[docdoo475]

well I don't have too much room so I think I'll stick with the biocube.. and just get a stand alone protein skimmer of a different brand yeah?

[pogodzib]

Yes, I'd recommend doing some searching for reviews around the internet and RB and then going with a different brand.