I ve kept freshwater fish for years , currently getting a new 150g With sump built , and I m tempted to try keeping marine fish with this tank as it h stage sump . My concern is don't really have any knowledge about keeping/maintaining marine fish . Is it as hard as I ve heard it is ? Any suggestions for a marine newbie , like setup , fish etc ?
Tempted by marine
- Thread starter Dt100
- Start date
I had a 150 gallon reef tank for about ten years.
There are are a few more toys that go along with saltwater, skimmers and such.
If you get into reefing the lights become more important than if you stay fish only.
But if your experienced in freshwater you shouldn't have much trouble using that knowledge to set up a saltwater system.
At the most basic level the only thing that is different is mixing the salt water.
There are are a few more toys that go along with saltwater, skimmers and such.
If you get into reefing the lights become more important than if you stay fish only.
But if your experienced in freshwater you shouldn't have much trouble using that knowledge to set up a saltwater system.
At the most basic level the only thing that is different is mixing the salt water.
Not interested in keeping corals, so hopefully the lighting is nt an issue . The water changes should nt be a problem , and equipment I can deal with and know what to expect in terms of costs etc . My fresh water tanks all have wave makers and run off an RO system . It's more the bacteria aerobic and anaerobic bacteria I m trying to get my head round and live sand/Rock
The live sand and rock are just harvested or cultred in the ocean to have the natural bacteria already living on it.
There are different opinions on the amounts of rock and sand you need given a certain size aquarium.
Is their something specific you have questions about?
There are different opinions on the amounts of rock and sand you need given a certain size aquarium.
Is their something specific you have questions about?
If im understanding the question right.
You dont need different bacteria, the Rock and sand its self will have the bacteria on it already. Thats why it is called "live".
Set up your tank, filter ,heater, any other equipment you wish to use, adjust your temp and salinity, at that point you will need to purchase some "live rock" and "live sand" place that in your aquarium to start the aquarium then in a week or two start adding fish slowly (one or two) at a time.
I hope thats helpful.
I would also add a clean up crew when you add the rock. I would get some turbo snails and scarlet hermit or blue leg hermits. These guys will help keep the algae and waste cleaned up.
But they will also be eatin if you add pedeatory fish so you will have to decide your stock and proceed accordingly.
But they will also be eatin if you add pedeatory fish so you will have to decide your stock and proceed accordingly.
Get some banded and some snowflake moray eels,a panther grouper ,a purple tang and maybe a striped puffer and a tomato clownfish,these are hardy for saltwaterfish(as long as u give the purple tang a fresh piece of lettuce or some fresh peas everyday)
Just buy some dry live rock. It isn't really alive anymore but it's cheaper then getting actual wet live rock. Then If you have a trusted LFS that has a marine section, ask them if they have a small piece of live rock that they can sell to your for cheap. This will seed your tank with microorganisms and bacteria. Also I'd advise getting not getting a panther grouper as they get way too large too fast, and you run the risk of your fish getting eaten. Instead look into getting a large wrasse, most of them are very easy to raise and eat just about anything. If you plan to keep a lot of large beefy fish, look into getting a huge protein skimmer. They may be super expensive upfront but they pay for themselves in the amount of hassle they prevent by helping in keeping your water quality in check. If you have the space and money look into getting a QT system too. The marine parasites bite much harder than freshwater ones, and they can wipe out all of your livestock in a matter of weeks if not QT. If you can't look into preventive dips before adding fish to aquariums like safety stop by blue life. Also be ready to keep many medications on hand if you don't QT.