thinking of setting up a marine tank

[big mick]

Ive been keeping tropical fish on and off for over 1o years but only started up again a few months ago with a 30 gallon tank tank but now that Im settled in a new house I want to set up a marine tank.

The problem is I dont know what size to start with, I wabnt to get a big bow fronted 55 gallon tank and was going to transfere my 2 big angels and keep a discuss in it but Ive always wanted a marine tank and so does my wife.

Is that going to be too big for a beginner to marine fish?

Im planning to open an aquatics shop myself in the next 18 months, should I just wait till then?

Obviously I plan to read up as much as possible about it first but I just wondered if anyone had any tips or general advice from when they first started with marine?

Thanks.

 

[big mick]

....can I just add that sounds like I was planning to keep the angels and possible discuss in a marine tank....I meant marine 'instead' of the discuss and just leave my angels where they are.....Im sure you realised that, it was just the way Id worded it.

 

[chris allsop]

Ive kept marine for about 5 years now , i can honestly say the bigger the tank the easier it will be for you. I started with a 20 gal and i had my mates tank off him which was 40, ive still got that but if i had the space (i live at my mums) i would get a 200 gal, as im addicted!!!
Im not saying you need one that big, just saying the bigger the better. If i had my time again i would get a sump as that makes thing better as well.
Also one of the most important thing is the skimmer, unless you lose miracle mud.
In regard to other equipment it depends if you want a fish only or reef set up.
Take time, do the rearch and you will love it!!
Good luck, do if you do your home work its not that hard to do.
thanks chris

 

[chkltcow]

Bigger is better because parameters will stay more stable, but don't let all the hype over how "difficult" saltwater tanks are get you down. If you've kept discus... you CERTAINLY have the dedication required for a marine tank. The 55g sounds like it would be great for that. Just read all you can and figure out how you want to do your tank. There are many schools of thought on how to setup a marine tank... and none of them are necessarily "right".

My only advice for now would be to go read up a bit, and come back here to ask specific questions. A general "how should I do this?" will net many many many different answers A "should I go with a plenum or eggcrate bottom, or just sand" will garner fewer differing opinions.

Have fun with it, and good luck

 

[big mick]

Cheers guys, I was hoping someone would say a bigger tank would be easier, thanks again.

Mick

 

[Navarre]

Definately bigger is better. Much more stable water conditions for the fish and corals to live in. Just be aware that twith large tanks you will need larger amounts of filtration (i assume this will be liverock). So in a larger tank expect to be suprised at the cost of this means of filtration. Also.. cleanup crew are often overlooked but be warned the larger the tank the larger you need. Approximately 1 snail/hermit per gallon of water.. you dont have to purshase all this at once of course but i just want you to be aware of what lies ahead

 

[big mick]

Thanks navarre, Im going to have a look at some stuff today as Im off work with the MUMPS and very bored......not nice

 

[MarineMoney]

Thanks navarre, Im going to have a look at some stuff today as Im off work with the MUMPS and very bored......not nice

Hey,

I know you've got some good advice already just thought id chip in as i did the switch over to marine and then back again. I would say go bigger, as big as your means and your pocket, not only for the stability of your parameters but to enable you to have a selection of fish that you desire without having to swop tanks in a year or so.

But what type of marine setup are your going for..fish only or are you planning to keep corals, hard or soft etc. You really need to decide this all before you start as it will affect what type of lighting you buy, T5's or halides etc..and by the way halides are killer on the electricity bill, but dont let that put you off because with halides your capacity to keep corals is much bigger.

Marine is alot of work, i really dont think, in my mere opinion that keeping discus should be compared to keeping a marine tank. If you research properly then marine is a joy but it takes alot of knowledge and money.

however good luck marine fish are truly heavenly to look at and provide a really beautiful centre piece.

 

[xxBarneyxx]

lol the original post is almost 4 years old now mate

Edit: dont worry about it though. Its the stupid similar topics thing at the bottom. Caught me out as well when it first came in so I completely ignore it now

 

[Truck]

im supprised people dont bring ghosts up, joking obviously