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New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 10/3/2008 12:09:52 PM
Posts: 24,
Visits: 23
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| Hello to all. I am new to this site and I am so glad I found it. I currently have a 46g freshwater tank. I just started my hobbie in june of 07 and am in love with it. I have learned so much and this stuff is far more intailed than I thought. Now my question is I am thinking about taking on the task of a saltwater tank. I have no idea what I am doing and want to do my reasearch before I take the chance. Where is a good place to go to understand saltwater set up, sumps and evrything I need to know to have a succeful tank ? Also I hear that saltwater tanks can be very difficult and expensive to keep and require daily attention and water changes ? Is there any truth to this ? Any and all help would be grateful. Dont be afraid to tell me I am crazy for going saltwater . lol Thanks in advance.
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Fishkeeping GURU
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 10/8/2008 4:09:27 PM
Posts: 11,953,
Visits: 5,445
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First, here is a great place to learn...read as much as you can there, especially about the basics and any livestock you may want. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/index.htm There is also a very good book called The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Bob Fenner.
Second, yes, saltwater is expensive, but it is not necessarily difficult or terribly involved if done right (but you must be well prepared with lots and lots of research before beginning). You most certainly do not need to be doing daily water changes, but for most tanks weekly is good. That being said some people have set up tanks that are so stable that with they basically never do water changes (don't ask me about that as I am not that level of aquarist). You do however need to look carefully at the tank daily (as you should do with freshwater tanks). This will be the best way to make sure everything is alright, in addition to regular water testing.
Hope this helps.
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New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/9/2008 6:40:53 PM
Posts: 37,
Visits: 82
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Hailey is correct, forums like this are a great way to learn about the hobby & hear what others have to say. Great places to learn as well. You are on the right path, DO YOUR RESEARCH although you will find what works for others may not work for you & vv. You are not crazy, but I would say since you just started in June of last year, give it some time before you jump into saltwater. Freshwater is a great place to "get your feet wet". Too many people jump into saltwater w/ no idea of what they need or how much work it truly is. Hailey is right you can get it right, but it does not come easy. My intensions are not to scare you away from the hobby but only to inform you the best I can. A 46gl tank, in my opinion is rather small for a saltwater aquarium because most fish will require a 55gl or larger to do well and give them enough room to swim and create territories. Although the nano tanks are becoming popular for those w/out a lot of space. If you are dead set in advancing to saltwater @ this time, my first suggestion is DO YOUR RESEARCH. Find a good pet store w/ knowledgeable people, not ones who are only interested in making a sale. Ask questions. As far as equipment start w/ a larger tank, upgrade the lighting to @ least 4 watts per gallon and use live sand as a substrate (bottom cover). Get some good live rock. DO NOT USE an under gravel filter. Sumps are good, but for beginners there are a lot of hang-on filters that work very well and are cheaper. When you get fish, invest in a protein skimmer, it does a lot more, but basically this takes the pee & poop out of the water. After the tank gets established (about 4-5weeks) buy some cheap hardy fish. Although Yellow Tail Blue Damsels & most other Damsels fit both categories remember they are mean and very territorial and may kill other fish that are timid. Chromises are a good start as well as some clownfish. Start small and go slow and don't overstock. Water changes are important, do them! Test your water quality @ least weekly for PH, Nitrates, Nitrites & Phosphates you may need more test kits in the future depending on if you add corals, but for fish only tanks the basics will do. You are correct, saltwater is expensive. Nothing is worse than buying a $50. fish only to have it die days later. To me, saltwater is like owning a Harley Davidson, everything you buy is more expensive. I have both. Don't be afraid to stay w/ freshwater for a while and then make the plunge into saltwater. Get the aquarium experience. Hope this helps.
Remember you did not pick a cheap hobby!
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Fishkeeping GURU
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 10/8/2008 4:09:27 PM
Posts: 11,953,
Visits: 5,445
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I agree with what was said above, but just have one quick note on yellow tailed damsels. They are not much like their damsel relatives in terms of aggression. They and the other Chrysiptera species are much more docile and capable of being housed with generally peaceful fish like chromis, firefish, percula clowns, etc. I have one (added first to the tank BTW) with a mandarin dragonet and two blue-green chromis, and it has never been a problem at all (though it is young yet...less than a year old). So IMO that is a safe genus to pick damsels from for a young tank...hardy and yet not overly aggressive.
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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 6:52:35 PM
Posts: 248,
Visits: 338
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My take on adding fish, I don't add anything I don't intend on keeping. Yes damsels are cheap, but most are/become aggressive. They can also become quite large in captivity (lack of predators). I've had blue green chromis get to be 3"+. If you have 4-5 of these in a tank, that's a lot of bio load. Trying to get a fish out of a decorated tank (especially a reef) can be difficult. There are traps that make it easier, but if ya don't put it in in the first place, ya don't have to get it out! Decide what fish you want to include (don't impulse buy) and start adding them, least aggressive first, most aggressive last.
So many species, so little money!
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New Member
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 4/10/2008 9:58:43 AM
Posts: 49,
Visits: 147
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Welcome to FishChannel! Please feel free to introduce yourself to the community in our Introductions section.
Fish Mod
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New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/10/2008 10:22:08 AM
Posts: 60,
Visits: 77
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Lets see, my tank is a lot of work, and very $$$ for fish and coral. They dont need daily water changes. My first fish was a clown (they are in the damsel family but not mean). OH AND DOT GET A DOTTYBACK!!!!!! My dottyback has killed a few fish, he is so fast and has a ton of hiding spots there is no way I can net him.
SWA Three years Saltwater Two weeks FW 24 gal SW Reef 10 gal FW Planted *In the making 180 gal Shark/Ray tank*
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