Beginner needs to do the right thing...

[drataj4]

Hi all,


I am new to the hobby and am starting to accumulate some equipment. At this point all I have purchased is a 55 gallon corner aquarium and "The Conciencious Marine Aquarist". I am reading as much as I can before I get in over my head but am in need of some honest advice. Any help that anyone could offer would be amazing.
First of all, as I said I bought a corner aquarium, and I am starting to become concerned because it doesn't seem as though they are very common at all. I never see them in catalogs nor do I ever hear anyone talk about them. Was this a mistake? Do they have some big disadvantage? It is 90 degrees with a radius of 28 inches. Would this be better suited for freshwater or saltwater?
This leads me to another question. Ultimately I would love to have (and start with) a saltwater system, but should I start with freshwater? If I did start with saltwater, I would begin with a fish-only system. I am not sure that I have the funds for live rock or the lighting it would need just yet, but eventually I would want to upgrade. I foresee myself with a reef aquarium eventually, but that would be years away.
Next, I am wondering what the best filtration to purchase. As I said, even if I started with freshwater, I would want to eventually switch to saltwater with live rock. I have read about the cannister filters and the wet/dry filters and cant seem to find a solid answer on which would be better to use. The cannister filter is obviously more compact, but the health of the system is obviously my primary concern (not to mention having to re-purchase equipment!). Can either of these be used with freshwater?
Sorry this is so long, but I only have a few more questions. Next, what other equipment would be critical? A protein skimmer? It seems that RO/DI water and UV sterilization seem a little unnecessary at this point. How about any recommendations on powerheads or pumps? Finally, I read about the Eheim wet/dry filter recently. Does anyone have any experience with them and can give recommendations?
Thanks for bearing with me on the length. I have really just had some trouble getting some good (relatively unbiased) advice. Thanks for all of your help.

 

[Sky042]

Corner tanks aren't as common likely due to price. some people don't want to spend the extra money and then traditionalists don't like curved glass. Personally I have a bow front and like the curved glass.

I can't answer your marine questions sorry.

However filter wise you can use a canister for fresh or salt water. The wet/dry as well. it's more a matter of preferance.

I do understand from reading that a marine tank has the best biological setup with live sand and live rock. and the corner tanks seem to be geared towards a coral setup but I'm sure it'd be fine with freshwater as well.

 

[tmlhaus]

Just keep reading and reading. Do plenty of searches on the internet. There are other fish forums as well. Read a lot of posts and you'll learn plenty. Glad to hear you're researching BEFORE you go out and buy
Good luck!

 

[waterwatereverywhere]

It's not impossible to go straight to saltwater, but I would really suggest that you start with freshwater. To run a successful marine tank you need funds and time, and previous experience with fishkeeping helps.

Specifically, you'd need a protein skimmer and preferably RO water for marine, but you don't use a skimmer on freshwater, and RO wouldn't be necessary unless you want to keep really delicate species. UV sterilizers can be run on either type of tank; they're not necessary, more an extra precaution.

For freshwater you won't need more water movement than the filter gives you so no need for extra powerheads. I'd go with a canister filter, either external or internal - external means you can have more filtration without cluttering the tank up. Eheim are more expensive but are very very good and easy to use IME. I've had the external wet/dry one and it was excellent.

Carry on researching, good luck and be sure to let us know what you decide!

 

[Bol]

One disadvantage to corner tanks is that it's more difficult to get a lot of light into one (because of the relatively short longest dimension). From what I understand, as you mentioned, this becomes even more important with saltwater tanks.

 

[AHackett72]

Start with freshwater first! You can learn from mistakes with freshwater fish. You don't want to spend the price for marine fish and have them die do you?? I would go with the Aqua Clear 300. It is a great filter! I have Aqua Clears in both my tanks and the work great! Corner tanks are great and very attractive! Have fun!!

 

[corymad]

Hi I'd definately go for freshwater first. I've kept both in the past and have returned to tropical freshwater (My marine set up was 6' by 2' by 2' and I now only have room for a 4' tank)

IMO you need a large tank for marine plus plenty of light. When you are experienced at freshwater, your knowledge will help you keep marines sucessfully.

If you decide to go freshwater, decide which sort of fish you'd like (PH wise)

I've hyperlinked some sites you may find useful - don't be put off by water chemistry, its just a matter of getting the cycling over and done with then keeping PH right and nitrate right.

http/www.drhelm.com/aquarium/chemistry.html
http/faq.thekrib.com/begin-chem.html
http/www.freshwatertropicalfishkeeping.c...c%20principles:
http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/substrat.htm
http/www.waterlife.co.uk/waterlife/revol...olution.htm#rev

There's lots of info on the net and some really great sites. Hope this helps

 

[corymad]

Hi Sorry - forgot to add

Whether you want to go for freshwater or marine, an external filter (if you have the room) is favourite.

If you want to keep costs down and decide on freshwater, you could try an internal filter - I've recently bought an Interpet internal filter. Its really quiet and has a good flow rate. The LFS sells a lot of Fluval internal filters - my sister has one and that seems OK - seems a little noisier than the Interpet though

All the best