1st Salt Water tank

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C

cjtabares

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Sep 6, 2007
41
0
0
Rhode Island
I am thinking about setting up a salt water and was wondering if anyone had some suggestions on a good size tank and stock for a beginner?
 
I agree with the others c.j. I'd also have a plan and a budget before you start . Let us know what you're after and we'll be very pleased to assist you.
Cheers
Max
 
Do some research first. Be sure you know what size tank, the upkeep, and where you'd like to place the tank. Be sure it is someplace all can see.
I started with a 55 g in May and just bought a 90 gal. Everyone in the family love it. I went salt water over fresh. And be sure you see time aside each week to admire your hard work.
 
id probably say go at least 55, but if you can afford everything there is to it, go as big as you can, youll be happier down the line, i am on my 2 upgrade, from a 10 gallon, to a 20 gallon, to a 40 gallon, and the old 10 is now the refugium for the 40! id definetly say go with the "natural filtration" method if your gonna do a reef, its much easier to maintain. if you go predator, there are a few thoughts as to what to do, i personally treat my tank like its a fw tank, no inverts (i think there is a snail and a hermit crab in there for now) lots of flow, coarse gravel, with little depth, that way i can g/w my fish are messy! not the most effective way, and definelty more time consuming, and possibly dangerous (i have a lion, and dont like puting my hands in the tank) but it works, and its cost efficent! oh some very pourus live rock, and purigen also go a long way.
 
I kinda disagree on a few points,

corse gravel does little for the tanks natural filtration process. if you decide to use substrate then go with a good fine aragonite sand. it will buffer the tank and with good flow you can keep the waste suspended and send it to your filtration. go with a nice big skimmer. it is the easiest maintenance and will remove the waste unlike refugiums which just convert the waste temporarily and then release it back to the tank.
 
Ok thanks i think i am going to go with a 75 gal. i have been looking at some fish and saw that alot of them wont work with reef, like the human picasso triggerfish witch i realy like, should i go just fish or should i go with a reef? like then alot too too many choices :nilly:
 
sorry, i didnt mean gravel, i menat coarse substrate! like arragonite or crushed coral. and i didnt say not to get a skimmer if he goes with a reef, id say GO SKIMMER if you go reef, but predators really dont need it if you do enough water changes, and gravel wash. in my opinion, and from what ive learned at least.
 
Ok like i said i am going to get a 75gal i was looking at fish and put together my first stock list may need some changes. here it is:
Diamond Watchman Gody (Valencienna puellaris)

2 Ocellaris Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) Dont know if i want black and white or orange and white

Blue Tang (Paracanthurus heatus)

Scotts Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabus scottorum)

5 Blue/green Reef Chromis (Chromis Viridis)

Pincushion Urchin (Mespilia globulus)

Bulb Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor)

Crocea Clam (Tridacna Puellaris)

If i dont go coral i want to add a Humman Picasso Triggerfish (Rhinecanthus aculeatus)

If you have any suggestions pleas let me know i still have allot of research to do before anything happens. If you think any of this will not work or are not suited for a beginner please let me know. Anything you think i sould add would be cool to thanks
 
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