Advice Please

[AquaDreams]

Hey guys,
I'm looking for some advice and some info. about tropical saltwater tanks. I currently have a freshwater tank but I'd like to start a saltwater tank. However, I have no idea where to start and what to do. I have read info. but it seems like everyone has they're own different opinions. I'd like to have some clown fish and starfish...any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[Lynden]

Sorry to sound like an a-hole, but you are asking us to write a book. There is no way that anyone could sum up the info needed to start a salt water tank in a page or two. And if they did, more likely than not, the info was incredibly incomplete. Try reading the "My very own Nemo" thread near the top of the page; I've read it before, and it appears that most of the info in it is correct.

-Lynden

 

[AquaDreams]

Im not asking for a "book". Just advice. LOL! Thanks for the advice though. I imagine that this type of tanks requires a lot based on your post. Anyways if anyone else has advice for me let me know.
THANKS!

 

[Mr Miagi]

Thats what Lynden was getting at though. Any advice or info. is going to be HUGE and lengthy!

Some advice:

- Start to decide what kind of tank you want. IE, Reef, FOWLR, or FO. Have a look around the web at pictures, get to know what each system roughly requires maintenance/cost/time etc. wise.

- Figure out your budget. One of the biggest downsides to marine is the cost. Things can be done simpler than many tanks youll see, but make sure you realise this might limit your stocking, and the capabilities of your tank.

- Get started! Visit online forums, join a local marine aquarium club, and get hunting for tanks! Cheaper set-ups can be found by buying second hand, already set-up, systems. Just make sure you know about all the equipment and upkeep before purchasing.

 

[SkiFletch]

I love pinned topics

 

[AquaDreams]

Thanks for the info! I learned quite a bit. For now i'm just going to stick to tropical fish though. I'm going to continue to research more info on SW fish and when I feel confident that I know all I need to know then i'll start a SW tank. I'd rather be wise and patient than to invest in buying SW fish to have them die when I don't know much about them. You know?
Well thanks again!

 

[Lynden]

Whoa, double post!

 

[Lynden]

Thanks for the info! I learned quite a bit. For now i'm just going to stick to tropical fish though. I'm going to continue to research more info on SW fish and when I feel confident that I know all I need to know then i'll start a SW tank. I'd rather be wise and patient than to invest in buying SW fish to have them die when I don't know much about them. You know?
Well thanks again!

Good idea.

From all of us - your welcome!

 

[l337dave]

Thanks for the info! I learned quite a bit. For now i'm just going to stick to tropical fish though. I'm going to continue to research more info on SW fish and when I feel confident that I know all I need to know then i'll start a SW tank. I'd rather be wise and patient than to invest in buying SW fish to have them die when I don't know much about them. You know?
Well thanks again!

Good idea.

From all of us - your welcome!

Hmmm, so now we have to dissuade _anyone_ who would like to set up a marine tank from doing so? Is keeping clownfish that huge of a step up for someone who has a tropical tank? Agreed starfish would be a bad idea initially but someone couldn't we have said something along the lines of:

'...yeah clownfish would be a great choice to get you started in SW and you can move onto other more complicated aspects of the hobby when you feel ready. Here are some links that I've found helpful in the past... If you have any specific questions then feel free to come back and ask!'

SW has often been viewed as very difficult and time consuming, a reputation that it doesn't rightly deserve. I don't think there is one thing that I _need_ to do everyday to ensure the health of my tank, I can feed, top up, clean the glass and check the skimmer every couple of days if needs be. If I compare this to the pond in the back garden - in the summer I need to be cleaning the filters morning and evening else every thing will grind to a halt.

Much more hassle - and a lot more slimy!


dave.

 

[AquaDreams]

Thanks Dave. Just for being one of the positive ones.