Suggestions..

[La.La]

On where to go to learn more about reef tanks. I've been reading others journals and whatnot but i'd like any suggestions on books, websites, etc. I've kept tropicals and now have a 55g brack tank setup that's been running for some time but really since day one i've always wanted to have a marine tank. I've been contemplating the idea of getting a smaller second tank but obviously i don't want to make things difficult since i'm inexperienced and a nano doesn't seem the way to go. Quite honestly, i'm pretty sure it would just be a matter of time before the inevitable upgrade. So with that being said, any literature you can recommend?

 

[nkd5024]

I must warn you, marine tanks are highly addictive and you may never be the same once you delve in.

That being said, "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist Second Edition" by Robert Fenner is an excellent book for first time marine aquarists as well as anyone who already has a tank. I got this book after being in the hobby for a while and still find it useful to this day. Covers all the basics from setup and maintenance to different species of fish/invertebrates.

Liveaquaria.com is a great source of ideas for the different species commonly available in the hobby, although watch some of their information as they don't go into any great detail about the care of each of them.

Advancedaquarist.com is an online reefing magazine that provides articles that usually cover more advanced topics, but here is a link to a nice beginners section. http/www.advancedaquarist.com/sort/beginner

I would also recommend creating a tank journal to document your progress. Although the marine section of this forum seems to have slowed down a lot since I was on here about a year ago.

Feel free to ask any other questions your can't find answers to.

 

[La.La]

I must warn you, marine tanks are highly addictive and you may never be the same once you delve in.

lol, I can definately see it as being addicting because seriously i'm already concerned that a 55g isn't going to cut it in the long term. Ever since i've taken interest into the hobby (which is a lot longer than i've had a tank) i've always wanted a marine tank but I knew I had to start out on fresh and work my way from there. I can already turn into a zombie staring at my tank for hours on end so I can't imagine what that's going to turn into if I have a more interesting (for me at least) tank to look at.

and thank you for the book advice I read the summary and it looks to be exactly what i'm looking for. I need something as a reference, and I wish I had one when I started my first tank.

I'm constantly on liveaquaria "window-shopping". I have quite a few shops in my area that specialize in marine and take great care of their fish and are very knowledgable on the subject. Unfortunately I think the reason i'm at a standstill with the tank I have is because there are no shops that have any knowledge or stock for brackish. Everything that's in my tank the guys at the store had no idea what they had they just knew it was delivered.

I'll probably start the actual setup sometime in the next couple of months (January/February) as most of the hardware for the tank is going to be a christmas present and then my birthday is in March so i'll be able to get extras then! I want this to be a slow process so I don't overwhelm myself and be able to properly research everything i'm doing so i'm sure i'll have loads of questions in the coming months and yes, i'll try and remember to start a journal. The more help the better! I'm always looking for advice from those who are experienced.

Thank You!