Hey there everyone! I just recently was at a couple shops that had some amazing salt tank setups that really intrigued me. Now I know pretty much nothing on salt water tanks. Though what I do know is that it is more involved, more technical, and more expensive than freshwater and thats pretty much it, but I have 4 tanks, two 10's, a 55, and a 240, which of course are all freshwater. Now since I say those setups I was kinda thinking I would like to turn my 55 into a salt tank. Could someone give me an idea of what where I should go to read on what I need, as far as live rock, fish, filtration, heat, everything really? I am the type of person when learning something new I want to know as much as possible and really over research everything before I actually do it, so if anyone could help me out I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!!
Interested In Salt
- Thread starter boisblancboy
- Start date
Theres plenty of information here on MFK about setting up a salt water system. In spite of the added complexities it's really not as difficult as most people make it out to be. IMO the smallest size tank for a first SW set up would be a 100g. The reason I say this is because of water stability. It's always tempting to want to "start small" and then work your way up. That's rarely ever the way to go. A good stable double nickel (55) is possible of course and many expieranced SW people have them but your chances of having a pleasant expierance will be a LOT greater with a larger tank.
I'd say a 75 gallon is minimum. I have a 75 gallon saltwater tank. I have had no problems. I also have a nice variety of fish. But if you have the room get the largest tank tou can get.
100 minimum? 75 minimum? Although it would be nice, its not necessary at all for a starting tank.
The 55 will actually make a good size tank to start with. The volume is large enough where you shouldn't have a tremendous problem with keeping the water chemistry stable and you have a good many choices of livestock to put in it.
A good book for beginners and experience marine fish keepers alike is The Concientious Marine Aquarist by Robert Fenner. I love this book. Its a great reading on most all aspects of saltwater including the basics. This book is full of information and written well for beginners to grasp an understanding of it.
The 55 will actually make a good size tank to start with. The volume is large enough where you shouldn't have a tremendous problem with keeping the water chemistry stable and you have a good many choices of livestock to put in it.
A good book for beginners and experience marine fish keepers alike is The Concientious Marine Aquarist by Robert Fenner. I love this book. Its a great reading on most all aspects of saltwater including the basics. This book is full of information and written well for beginners to grasp an understanding of it.
hell a 30 is good enough and won't cost so much he'll get discouranged haha
2nd for fenner's book
2nd for fenner's book
We can pick up new 100 gallon all glass tanks in long beach for 170.00. with stands and lighting for 285.00 so I didn't think it was all that big of an expence as a start up. Most of the money goes into equipment and stock anyway so why not give yourself a little extra room? Additionally most of the available equipment for SW tanks falls into the larger tank catagory.
I wouldnt mind having a larger tank, but for right now I dont have any more room for another tank. Plus with a smaller tank would help keep costs down a little bit.