How to start a Saltwater Tank?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
yea live rock and live sand produce benificial bacteria an corline alge (sorry for my spelling ) that help reduce fish wast it acts as a natural biological filter.a clean up crew helps alote with wast to star fish crabs ex .the bigger the tank the easier it is to maintain
 
Using a skimmer does not allow you to go longer between water changes. Skimmers pull out a lot of the nasty proteins that build up in a SW tank -- not the poop, per se, but some of the chemicals the poop give off.

You don't need to go with T5 lighting if you just plan to keep fish only. You could use a shop light if you wish. When you start going with corals, you'll need stronger lighting.

Any heater you use for FW can be used in SW. If you're tank is not drilled or does not have an overflow or is otherwise "reef ready," it's hard to incorporate a sump. In that case, you can use a cannister filter. You can even use a HOB filter, but remember these options have to be cleaned a lot more often. In the SW world, they're referred to as "nitrate factories" but people do use them.

And yes, doing a water change is the same. Just make sure to premix the salt and water prior to the water change. You replace saltwater with saltwater, but if you're just topping off due to evaporation, you add fresh water since the salt does not evaporate.

Just take your time and do your research. You'll find it's not much different than a FW tank.
 
I just do normal water changes with my tanks but could I incorporate a product like this to cut down on water changes? http://www.petco.com/product/111801/Instant-Ocean-Natural-Nitrate-Reducer.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch

I don't want to be all "I will put a million fish it" so I plan on just getting one clownfish ocellaris and maybe one crab/shrimp. I want a fish only tank, no coral. Live rock is different from coral right and does it need special lighting?

Ok so I have these:
1. Tank 20H
2. Hood/Light
3. Heater
4. Air Pump (not sure if I need or should use it)

List of things to buy:
1. Filter
2. Powerhead
3. Instan Oscean Sea Salt
7. Live Sand or White Sand (Haven't decide because I know the live sand is alive but it looks crappy)
5. Live Rock
6. Hydrometer thing

I will take my time and do the research because I just blew all my cash on an Xbox 360 yesterday.
 
I used a 20H and had 2 clowns and a damsel in there. I had an aquaclear 50 along with a heater and some live rock maybe 10 pounds. Worked perfectly fine for me without a skimmer. Did water changes every 2 weeks or even less often when I was busy
 
How long were they in they and how are they doing?

I just do normal water changes with my tanks but could I incorporate a product like this to cut down on water changes? http://www.petco.com/product/111801/...t=OnSiteSearch

I don't want to be all "I will put a million fish it" so I plan on just getting one clownfish ocellaris and maybe one crab/shrimp. I want a fish only tank, no coral. Live rock is different from coral right and does it need special lighting?

Ok so I have these:
1. Tank 20H
2. Hood/Light
3. Heater
4. Air Pump (not sure if I need or should use it)

List of things to buy:
1. Filter
2. Powerhead
3. Instan Oscean Sea Salt
7. Live Sand or White Sand (Haven't decide because I know the live sand is alive but it looks crappy)
5. Live Rock
6. Hydrometer thing

I will take my time and do the research because I just blew all my cash on an Xbox 360 yesterday.
 
EastBay;4355752; said:
Using a skimmer does not allow you to go longer between water changes. Skimmers pull out a lot of the nasty proteins that build up in a SW tank -- not the poop, per se, but some of the chemicals the poop give off.

You don't need to go with T5 lighting if you just plan to keep fish only. You could use a shop light if you wish. When you start going with corals, you'll need stronger lighting.

Any heater you use for FW can be used in SW. If you're tank is not drilled or does not have an overflow or is otherwise "reef ready," it's hard to incorporate a sump. In that case, you can use a cannister filter. You can even use a HOB filter, but remember these options have to be cleaned a lot more often. In the SW world, they're referred to as "nitrate factories" but people do use them.

And yes, doing a water change is the same. Just make sure to premix the salt and water prior to the water change. You replace saltwater with saltwater, but if you're just topping off due to evaporation, you add fresh water since the salt does not evaporate.

Just take your time and do your research. You'll find it's not much different than a FW tank.
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skimmers do actually extend time between water changes, as they pull out possible nitrates. I do suggest you do a little more reading on saltwater aquariums. It sounds like you barely have the basics down for Freshwater, and xbox budget is no where near close to funding an aquarium. Good luck and keep reading.
 
GhostShrimpMan;4357459; said:
great link check it out http://lmgtfy.com/?q=How+to+start+a+saltwater+fish+tank

;]
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Wow that was hard. I figure someone personal experience is better than some facts on paper or in this case some random website. Obviously I know how to use Google and am reading things on other sites but I want to make sure I am not forgetting anything or over look something.


TheCanuck;4357476; said:
skimmers do actually extend time between water changes, as they pull out possible nitrates. I do suggest you do a little more reading on saltwater aquariums. It sounds like you barely have the basics down for Freshwater, and xbox budget is no where near close to funding an aquarium. Good luck and keep reading.
Click to expand...

Again, its not like I am gonna go out and get it started today. I have to wait till I get paid and even then I'm not gonna rush out and get started. So yes I still am and will research this. Yes I know how to successfully run a freshwater tank.

I would appreciate it if someone would answer my previous question though without giving me a hard time.
 
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