Thinking Of Startiing A Salt Water Tank

[rebrn]

Hello, I am relatively new to fish keeping but I am now hooked. I currently have 2 freshwater tanks (fishless cycling) but I was thinking about starting a marine aquarium in about a year or so, once I have a little more experience. However, I have learned not to trust my LFS, so I thought I would start to research now and I have a few questions.

1. What are good starter marine fish? Meaning what saltwater fish are relatively easy and good for beginners.

2. What is a good size tank? I live in an apartment (first floor concrete floors) so space is somewhat limited.

3. What are the basics I need to get started? I know I will definately need a filter, light, heater, salt water test kit, salt mix, decorations (rocks plantst etc), but is there anything I am missing?

4. Live plants/rocks - I currently don't have live plants in any of my tanks but I am assuming that you have to have live plants/rocks in a saltwater tank - is this true and how hard is it to maintian live plants/rocks?

5. Is a fishless cycle for a marine tank the same as a freshwater tank?

That is all the questions I have for now. But if there is any other information you think is important all advise would be appriciated.

Thanks

 

[seffieuk]

Hello, I am relatively new to fish keeping but I am now hooked. I currently have 2 freshwater tanks (fishless cycling) but I was thinking about starting a marine aquarium in about a year or so, once I have a little more experience. However, I have learned not to trust my LFS, so I thought I would start to research now and I have a few questions.

to the salty side of TFF and life

1. What are good starter marine fish? Meaning what saltwater fish are relatively easy and good for beginners.

That's a good place to start - think about the sort of fish you want to keep and then get the equipment to accommodate them

2. What is a good size tank? I live in an apartment (first floor concrete floors) so space is somewhat limited.

The biggest you can afford and accommodate - I would say anything over 125 litres

3. What are the basics I need to get started? I know I will definately need a filter, light, heater, salt water test kit, salt mix, decorations (rocks plantst etc), but is there anything I am missing?

get yourself a notepad and pen and start reading the journels on here - research is half the fun and where your journey starts

4. Live plants/rocks - I currently don't have live plants in any of my tanks but I am assuming that you have to have live plants/rocks in a saltwater tank - is this true and how hard is it to maintian live plants/rocks?

Yep, live rocks are the heart and lungs of our tanks - Plants, well agae

5. Is a fishless cycle for a marine tank the same as a freshwater tank?

No, take a look at the many start up journels, you could even look at my own in the nano section

That is all the questions I have for now. But if there is any other information you think is important all advise would be appriciated.

Thanks

Seffie x

 

[-Nemo-]

I'll elaborate a bit more on seffie's answer.

A good type of fish to start with, all depends on what you want to do. Do you wants corals? Inverts? An aggressive tank? A more docile tank? All of these questions need to be answered before you decide what fish you want.

Tank size... Bigger will always be easier to maintain. I wish I had started bigger instead of having to upgrade now.

Equipment: Filters are different from freshwater filters, the best thing to start with is a protein skimmer rather than just a HOB filter. Lighting will depend upon if you want to keep any corals, and if so, what types. A basic fluorescent light will be fine for just the live rock in the meantime.

I would never, and would never suggest, starting a tank without live rock. It really makes for a healthy system. Live rock is what you will use to cycle your tank. There are thousands of little things living in it. And in my experience, most tanks will cycle in about a week.

 

[rebrn]

Thanks guys. I really am not sure stock wise what I want, still trying to decide. Right now I think I would want some clown fish. However, as this is a tank that probably won't be started for at least another year, that may change as I discover more types of fish. I definately want variety and lots of colour. As for corals I hadn't really thought about it. I guess that is one more thing to add to my list of things to research. I definately want to start with easy so maybe no corals right away, not sure though. Like I said this is a new thought for me. Definately need to do lots more research and try to talk my husband into letting me start yet another tank . This was suppose to be a simple hobby one tank with some glowfish ... well lets just say that plan has changed ... what can I say I got hooked