Salt Water Sollutions

[Ludwig Venter]

I,ve been an Aquarist / Ichtiologist in my own right for almost 40 years, but still do not feel myself qualified to move into the saltwater environment..... To me, this lies like a mountain to cross, and allthough I realize that it's a promotion to my current status, I am really scared of making this transition. I've paid a lot in "schoolfees" with the common freshwater varieties, and can only anticipate worse in going to salt.

Is it really that much more of an adjustment or am I seeing too much in it

 

[kj23502]

well there is alot more to sw than fw. I'm new to salt myself. Just b/c you're thinking about it, doesn't mean you have to jump into it right away. I suggest reading some of the books in realm of know in the marine reef and chit chat section. I've had 4 books from there. I highly recommed The New Marine Aquarium Step by Step Setup and Stocking Guide by Michael S. Paletta. It gives a lot of good general info especially for someone like me who didn't know much yet One other one was basically just about fish and I'm not at that point so much yet. The other 2 haven't opened yet. If you don't want to go out and buy them see if there's a library or something around you where you can borrow them.

Just take your time reading and reasearching and eventually when you know more you should begin to feel more comfortable with the idea. I'm going to set up a 120 usg sw tank. I've been doing freshwater since I was a little tyke...w/mom's help back them

 

[Mr._Fishy]

It isn't too large of a jump if you've been keeping fish for a while. I thought it was a huge mountain too when I first decided to set up a sw tank. It really isn't though. Most of the basic principles that you've been living by with your fw setups still apply to the marine side of the hobby. Assuming you set up a fo (fish only) or fowlr (fish only with live rock) tank, the only big difference is that you are dealing with salt. Just take your time and do your research. It is a really wonderful side of the hobby that isn't as hard as many people think. I tore down my marine tanks a few years ago but I am coming back and couldn't be happier.

 

[BigC]

Hey Ludwig,
I too was like you but hey you gotta do it sometime, might as well be now. One thing I will say, its a lot more frustrating than tropys. Basic water chemistry (marine) will stand you in good stead bearing in mind that there are many more aspects to consider and sometimes as in freshwater different chemicals have a positive or negative effect on other aspects. Its a balancing act. When things go wrong then they can have disasterous consequences on the inhabitants and your wallet.
Summing up.. Read everything and research everything you can get your hands on pertaining to what you want to do. You dont have to make it complicated, I've started with a small Nano 24x12x18 aquarium http/www.fishforums.net/content/Nano-Ree...wn-On-The-Reef/ and its a good enough size for me. Marines IMHO are no harder than tropicals if you do your homework, You will however spend more time testing/water changing and adjusting things. It makes life interesting.
Regards
BigC