Need to learn how to maintain a tank

[DC18]

I am a beginer but willing to learn all about how to set up and mantain a healthy saltwater tank. I have had a fresh water and did very well but this is more diffecult from what I hear. What is the best way to learn. Please give advice.

[ShirleyM]

Welcome! to TRT (The Reef Tank)!
I suggest you read through the posts under "Your #1 Bit of Advice", the post at the top of the board.

You'll see "Read, Read, and Read some more" in several posts there, as well as titles to consider, etc.
Don't skimp on the reading even when the books are expensive. You'll save a lot of $$ if you invest in the right books and go VERY SLOWLY...Patience is a huge asset .. and ask plenty of questions as you read and as you begin your setup.

This advice isn't much, but it's a start...
Shirley

[dbmet]

Welcome To TRT
I would suggest buying a few books and reading..Here's a good link to get you started...

http://www.thereeftank.com/started/
d

[hooked]

WELCOME to TRT DC18

Im not much on reading books but I use the internet to try and find most of my information. When I need answers quick I like to post on the boards. You will find that everybody is great and you will get plenty of responces on your posts. Good LUCK..

[Casie]

Like the freshwater hobby, it can feel overwhelming just jumping in!

The best thing to do in my opinion is decide first (before you make any purchases) what kind of salt water tank you want to own. Fish only? Fish only with live rock? Fish with live rock and a few soft corals? A full reef?

And after you decide "what" then decide "how big?".

Once you make those basic decisions then it will be much easier to focus on what lighting, equipment, flow, and foods you will need.

The biggest thing to remember is that if you see 101 different successful tanks... not one of them will be run exactly the same. So feel free to ask many questions and then decide for yourself what solution best fits your personal situation.

There are a few set in stone rules, but those are very few.
Some might be:
~Use filtered (RO/DI) water when making up your saltwater and for all water changes.
~Buy a nice quality salt mix.
~Make any changes slow.
~Resist the urge to buy any animal/coral before reading a little about it.
~Get a quality hydrometer. The plastic ones you fill with water aren't accurate enough.
~And grab a couple basic test kits. Ammonia, Nitrate, Ph... Salifert makes some good kits.
~And my favorite bit of beginner advice.. Don't over stress on the numbers. Ph is gonna rise and fall over the day. Panicing and doing a massive quick-mix water change is only gonna freak your tank out. Same goes for salinity and the rest. =D

Its an amazing and rewarding hobby! =) And it is very dynamic and always changing!

Ahhh, one more thing. Are you planning on re-using a tank you had fresh water in? And if so, did you ever use fresh water medications in it?

[Doug1]

Casey sums it up well t*f*a*
The best thing that i can ad is actually look at as many reef tank setups in person as you can. If there is a local group find them and see what they are doing. As stated there are many ways to do SW but education is the key. Its way to expensive to learn by trial and error

[FishDaddy]

Hi DC,

Good to have you join us to learn reefing!
I will echoe what's been said, especially the reading part. Before making any decisions, I would recommend buying Robert Fenner's The Conscientious Marine Aquarist and/or John Tullock's Natural Reef Aquariums. These books will give you a good foundation for making decisions as to what type marine aquarium you want to keep.

There are some excellent articles here on TRT and helpful threads in our archives. Please feel free to ask questions!!!
See Brooke's article:
http://www.thereeftank.com/started/

Here are a couple other websites that are helpful:
http://www.reefcorner.com/reef%20keeping_101.htm
http://faq.thekrib.com/sbegin.html

Bear in mind as you read that there are many ways to setup and maintain a successful reef tank. Opinions vary so by reading as much as possible, you can make your own informed decisions.

Again, welcome to TRT!
Dick

[Junkzoo]

WELCOME!
Ditto on the prior posts , 'specially Casie's
Read all you can , pay special attention to the LATEST books,the early ones are good , but some had dated info
(i give free reef tank maintanance seminars at my house , bring your own towel LOL)

[Alice]

Welcome to The Reef Tank!

And welcome to a very addicting, sometimes frustrating but always rewarding hobby! You will find that caring for a reef tank, especially, will be an all encompassing learning experience. And it's fun!

You will, quite naturally, be visiting LFS (Local Fish Stores) for ideas and to look at what is available to you. Please by wary, LFS are not the enemy, but many are undereducated and some are well, just out for your wallet and not for the best interest of you and your tank. There are wonderful LFS out there, too, but being a beginner, it's hard to seperate the wheat from the chaff when everyone has their own opinions on how to set up and run a tank.

This is an expensive hobby, make no mistake, and doing in right the first time will save you money and heartache and the lives of animals in your care.

Again, Welcome!

Alice

[SteveNichols]

to TRT. Didn't think you had been welcome enough here . I am a big fan of reading and would suggest John Tullocks Natural reef aquariums and Bob Fenners Contientious Marine Aquarist. There is undoubtedly dated information in both of those books, but that can be said about 99% of them that are out there. IMO, the important thing is to "get the basics" meaning water chemistry stability and livestock compatibility. Going slow and asking questions will aid in your fantastic journey. As you have been in FW you are probably aware to not take LFS advise at face value, they are out to make a buck. I tend to get their take, read, and ask questions on the boards. Again, welcome to TRT and the joy of the greatest hobby on earth!!!

[platapus]

Welcome!

Im sure you are overwhelmed with reading suggestions at this point

.....but Ill throw another suggetion at ya. I just read this book, and think that it would be a good place to start, it is only about 130 pages, and is cheap, in addition it touches base on alot of imporntant aspects of reef keeping, and will give you enough knowledge to buy setup and begin maintainence on your new hobby.

HTH

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...121663-5068820

[semajftw]

Here is a bit of advice, don't buy anything except books for about 6 months, that way you will know what you want and how you want to do it before you waste money on something you dont need. Just read books, and read all of the posts on this site for good information. Make up your own mind on what is right for you and what will be right for your tank inhabitants.

It is always easier to figure out what you actually need when you know what you want to keep in your tank (hard / soft corals, clams, fish only) then it is easy to figure out your filtration and lighting needs.

HTH - James

[Heavan]

WELCOME!

If you haven't already noticed You have already found the best way to start a new tank....This Board!
You will find that no question is a dumb question and someone has prob. asked it before... So search the threads and read every book you can get your hands on. Check out a lot of tanks to make your mind up you can search and find tons of tanks online In fact a lot of people have their tanks on their web sights and a link usually appears under their name when they post...Check them out.
Good Luck and remember it is suppose to be fun!
Renae