NEW TO SW

[NWatson]

I think I might try a SW set up with my 38 gal (36x12). Wanted to know what I need as far as equipment and anything else to start a SW. What are some stock ideas for the life of the tank. Are there any SW puffers that can live in that size tank for life. Any input would help. I have no experiance with SW. I will also research a lot before I change it to salt but wanted to get some input from all of you. I have a 125 and 75 I am going to keep FW.

 

[TheCanuck]

You just need a filter , small skimmer , live rock , live sand , and salt. Make sure your water is cycled and all your params are correct. Especially the ph , puffers are very PH sensitive.

Valentini puffers would be your best bet. Some will get to big though , the saddled valentini puffer would work fine for your tank.

 

[mr.reef24]

The essentials you'll need will be a protein skimmer, heater, powerheads for good flow, and a filter where you can use some activated carbon for better help and to reduce your cost's I recommend investing in this book to help you with your investment.

http://www.marinedepot.com/The_New_...uarium_Books-House_Brand-BKNMA-FIBKSW-vi.html

mr.reef24

 

[Gprime]

The most essential pieces of equipment i would say are:

Test Kits
Heater
Powerhead(s)
*PROTEIN SKIMMER*
Good light fixture
REFRACTOMETER! do not get a hydrometer. Why risk spending all that money towards livestock on a plastic swing arm

Then there's other things you can get/use like a sump or some other sort of filtration unit most people with smaller tanks just go with a HOB filter with activated carbon in it.
Different Reactors: Carbon/GFO, Calcium, Phosphate.
UV Sterilizers.

Other things not so much considered "equipment" but necessities in most SW tanks are Live rock (at least 1 pound per gallon for proper biological filtration) and live sand (amount depending on how deep of a sand bed you want, average sand beds are around 4" deep)