Marine Or Tropical...

[mrspasty]

Hi All,

I'm considering setting up a tank and really want a small-medium sized marine tank with some corals, anenomes and a handful of fish.

I have some very very basic knowledge generally, gleaned mostly from my sister and her other half, who have a tropical tank and are very knowledgeable in the area, and of course lots of reading on the internet.

The main thing is that I appreciate that this is a time and money consuming hobby, but am prepared for both.

My question really is whether you think it's ok to go straight into marine or whether it would be more advisable to start out with tropical...I've read mixed opinions so far.

Thanks in advance

 

[sparklefuzz]

Hi All,

I'm considering setting up a tank and really want a small-medium sized marine tank with some corals, anenomes and a handful of fish.

I have some very very basic knowledge generally, gleaned mostly from my sister and her other half, who have a tropical tank and are very knowledgeable in the area, and of course lots of reading on the internet.

The main thing is that I appreciate that this is a time and money consuming hobby, but am prepared for both.

My question really is whether you think it's ok to go straight into marine or whether it would be more advisable to start out with tropical...I've read mixed opinions so far.

Thanks in advance

Personally, I don't think having a background in tropical freshwater gives you any advantage in keeping marine, it's like two different things really. I'd say it was up to you.

That said, anemone's are extremely hard to keep for the most experienced fishkeepers, so you might want to forget about that if you do decide to go marine. Also, with marine, the bigger tank the better for a newbie because it is easier to keep a larger volume of water stable than a small amount.

Good luck with whatever you decide, either way you'll get plenty of help here!

 

[starrynightxxi]

rather like deciding you like the taste of oranges because you happen to like apples. both fruit, but not at all the same.

I think there's no reason not to jump right into marine if you're willing and able to spend the money and time. after all, you are going to be happier with a marine tank you wanted than a tropical tank that you thought you were supposed to have. good luck

 

[crazyelece]

I have to disagree, having experience with tropical setups can benefit in the marine realm. The discipline and husbandry skills apply to both. However if you are not interested in tropicals it would be both a waste of time and money to set up a tropical tank. I would go right to marine setups but stay away from coral for a little while. Start out with a fish only with live rock. Just add reef safe fish that you like. Nail down the basic husbandry skills and learn all you can about reef chemistry. When you are ready to jump up to keeping corals the most you may have to add is good lighting. All the equipment and everything works for both so you wouldn't have wasted money and by going slow you have a much greater chance of success.

Also I would try and start out with a 55 or a 75 gal if you can afford it.

 

[SkiFletch]

Agree, bigger tank if you can afford it. I would however avoid a 12" wide model like the 55 and go for either a 65 or 75g tank since both are 16" wide. Trust me, the thin nature of my tank has had me cursing many a time when trying to aquascape

 

[Miss Wiggle]

theres no reason why you can't start out with marine not tropical, however you must go into it with your eyes open that it's expensive, confusing and hard work! it's very very rewarding and if it's what you want then go for it. just do shed loads of research and get saving

 

[callell]

If you are willing to do a mountain of reasearch before looking into the livestock you want then really a marine tank is a possibility but only after much reading IMO

Keeping a basic freshwater tank is childs play compared to the very basic marine tank imo but with the right attitude you can go from Complete Fish Newbie - to a Marine know-it-all

 

[Ranger]

I think that if you have experience in tropical, it would definitely apply to marine. Maybe not to specifics, but as far as tank maintenance and care (which I think is a big part of fish keeping), the experience is valuable and a smaller tank would not be that difficult to do. However, with little to no marine knowledge be prepared to transform into a sponge and absorb all the information here that you can. That's what I've been doing and will continue to do!

EDIT: If your tank can't house anemone's (like mine) consider various soft corals that have an anemone feel to them!

 

[mrspasty]

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

I think for now I'll just continue to read and I'll know when I'm ready to make a decision. Marine is definitely where I want to end up, and I have both the will to spend my expendable cash on this, and patience. The main thing is that I don't want to rush into a decision, so I'll keep reading and see where that takes me.

No doubt I'll be reading and posting here regularly

 

[SkiFletch]

Sounds great. Have a browse around liveaquaria.com to see some options of marine livestock

 

[mrspasty]

Sounds great. Have a browse around liveaquaria.com to see some options of marine livestock

Thanks for the link, great site.

Went to the fish shop yesterday, there's a few around here but this particular one is really good, huge Marine section and the people there are very knowledgeable and helpful. I spent about an hour and half there, and got some really useful pointers. I got very excited and wanted everything in sight, so will have to get saving

Interesting to see the various tanks, there was one which has all the skimmer, filtration etc hidden behind the tank and is all in one, which I liked, but don't think I'd go for as I prefer the flexibility of the sump route.

They had a good book 'Understanding Marine Fish' which I bought and have been working my way through.

And so the reading continues.......