[tomkur]

Hi all,
I have had many years experience with fresh water setups, but always marvaled over the beauty of the salt water tank.
How much harder could it be? As I started researching saltwater tanks I learned that was my 1st stupid question. Right now I compareing it with the difference between flying a kite and piloting the space shuttle! The more research I did the more confused I have become. I stumbled onto RB through a search and have found it to be one of the more informative and easier to understand forums. I read over the step by step reef building post and found it fantastic!! but after reading it all I couldn't make it over step 1 "Decide on the exact type of tank". I understand the basic types of set-ups but where can I find resoures and examples of each, fish coral compatibilities?
I recently found what I thought was a great deal on a 90 gal tank that was used for a freshwater setup I just read (not sure if it was on RB) that if it had any copper based agents used it would kill off the tank. Is this a concern? I have no idea if it had or not. am I dead in the water before I begin?

[e_baer]

Welcome to RB!

Now to help you. Yes, the copper should be a major concern. Copper and inverts are a big no no. I would look on craigslist classifieds: jobs, housing, personals, for sale, services, community, events, forums for some saltwater tanks and accessories. You will be able to find really good deals on that site.

To find fish, coral compatabilities, I would look at Aquarium Fish: Tropical Freshwater Fish and Saltwater Fish for Home Aquariums . They seem to have pretty much the most simple layout of what fish can be mixed.

Are you looking to set up a reef tank? FOWLR (fish only with live rock)? Deciding what kind of tank you looking to set up should ahve a decidion on the tank size. For example. A reef tank can be a little 5g tank. An aggressive tank however will need a larger tank because of the fish that will be housed in the aquarium. Also, some fish like more or less flow. A pipefish for example will need something to cling onto like seagrass. They are also finiky eaters and wont be able to be housed with frisky feeding fish like damsels, clowns, and other fish that like to gobble their meals down quickly. That is what you call a species only tank.


I am very bad at explaining, so if anything confuses you just let someone know and we'll try to get it to make sense.

[dori9941]

the only dif. I've found is ph/ alk importance, adding salt and topping off, and fewer fish per tank
e_baer always has good advice, good luck and read all you can

[pogodzib]

Originally Posted by dori9941

the only dif. I've found is ph/ alk importance, adding salt and topping off, and fewer fish per tank
e_baer always has good advice, good luck and read all you can

Besides for the items listed above, for Fish Only (FO tanks), maintaining water quality is much more important than with Freshwater (FW) tanks. Cost of fish and setup is higher than FW tanks.

For FOWLR (Fish only with Live Rock)- Same as FO, but you need to be careful not to add certain chemicals (esp. copper or heavy metals). Setup cost is higher than FO tanks because of the cost of the LR (live rock).

For Reef - Same as FOWLR, except water quality becomes even more important and you need high powered lights. Most expensive (many people figure $100+ per gallon) once complete once full of corals because of the higher cost of equipment and corals and general upkeep.

Since you've read up on the different types of setups and Elliot posted some links for you. Check out those links and let us know if you need be additional advice or links at this time.

[movitch]

You make an excellent point about overall final costs of a reef tank pogodzib (Brian). When it's all said and done, $100 per gallon on a reef tank sounds about right. I never really thought about that until just now. I have a 55 gallon reef tank and when I start adding things up.... oooyyy.

[dori9941]

srry I thought every one new it cost more and I meant with reading here and going hands on they would be amazed at how fast it is to pick up on they would be ok I did not now they where asking about cost they said they understand the basic types of set-ups and I have for 3 years and they say "I read over the step by step reef building post" so I thought they read on litghting. They said they where comparing salt water to fresh



I'm srry I didn't know you meant it had to be reef, I started with FO, FOWLR in that order. Due to cost, which i'm sure youv'e read about, I don't plan on going reef untill 2 or 3 yrs (disabled in all) how ever I bought the 200 dol. lights and will upgrade each year so that it is less of a punch at one time. tax refund in jan will get me my sump and skimmer. I got the tank and lights last jan. I also have only 3 fish in that 55. true percula clown, blue damsel, red scotter blenny. I do mant. 3 times a week because good man. means you don't end up with a large problem. I do have inverts as well


If you are worried about lose go get a damsel most lfs rent them due to their tolerance in new cycled tank. keep it alive for 3 months and get use to lab kits and salt mixing. they are hard to kill require no lights and are cheap fun fish that are better kept by themselves or at least not with others. As you take care of this fish you can read on other fish, eq, corals and judge by how much time $ and care how far to go and a damsel can be kept in a 10g with out skimmer and be fine. this will give you time to save and time to learn

[tomkur]

Thank you all for your comments and postings. After even more researching and reading over your comments, I believe I will be going for a FOWLR setup. This seems to be the reasonable choice for me instead of trying to go right to a reef tank.
For my basic setup I will be starting with a 90 gal tank. A wet dry filter sump (rated for a 125 gal @ 500 gph) Protein skimmer in the sump also with a 500 gph pump.
water for the tank will will be supplied through a RO/DI filter. Lighting will be provided by a corallife 265 watts CF light with 135 watts artic blue and 135 10K.
I guess my question now is does it appear that I am on the right track? I havent obtained all my equipment yet so if anybody thinks that I should change something, now would be the time I would like to know. I doing this on a budget (if that is even possible) but do want to limit my early mistakes if I can.

Thanks all for all of your help

[dori9941]

I think that's the way to go. some people can jump in and do all at once and it goes well, but so many people quit if they have a mishap and it would suck to use all that coral and money.
I like to crawl before walking in this hobby.
it's good too start bigger then 55, like me and I still need a sump. I have multiple wet/dry filters and 3 power heads.
A few think to consider;
have you thought about filling your filter with live rock while you cycle or forever?
What fish are you getting?

The more water volume you have, the better the quality of you're water!
Conciser buying dry reef rock as well as the live rock. the live will make the other get covered too by seeding it.
What kind of substrate are you planning?

if all else fials and you are insanly bored watch you tube videos because on most I've watch people yell at the owners or kindly let them know whats wonge. this way you can see how normal behavor in that perticuleur fish/ inver/ ect..
I wish I had went with a 90g.

some links I like;
Indo Pacific Hitch Hikers
Melevsreef.com - Welcome! that's if you need to save money and do it yourself. a favorite, i think all will agree
Home | NOAA’s Aquarius Undersea Laboratory just to know it's there
Fish Disease and Treatment Diseases
Algae control algae control
Reef Aquarium Index
Reef Central Online Community
Saltwater fish fish listing
A Simplified Guide to the Relationship Between Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium and pH by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

I'm sending you thing while I'm reading, lol
I hope you don't mind and maybe I'll accualy help some one.
confidence levels must be kept high due to my lose i do hope i could help some.

Cycle, and study changes in water chemistry and how water chemistry interacts
I don't have a good set up but i change it a lot, mine cheap wal mart stuff. in jan i will have my sump and skimmer
so I need to know the same, but you're ahead because (of) me, you know what kind sump and skimmer

[dori9941]

sorry about dyslexia the

but you're ahead because (of) me, you know
should be, but you're ahead of me because you know