Salt water or Fresh water?

[DSB]

Originally Posted by pnkpanther

exactly. i've been burned, and yet i dont learn. ALthough i think i finally did learn

don't take the lfs's advice as gospel. they have steered me way off course
That's good advice, IMO lfs suck........ around here anyway.

[ErinGoBragh]

Originally Posted by DSB

don't take the lfs's advice as gospel. they have steered me way off course
That's good advice, IMO lfs suck........ around here anyway.

Lumping all lfs's in the same boat would be a mistake as well. There are some who know what they are doing, and have a good consience. There are those don't. If you find a good one, stay with them, but still do your own research.

[jbesse]

Go with SW from the start. It will be the best move you ever make. Do a lot of research before buying anything. I won't suggest on how you should start, but I will let you know what I did if it helps. I started with crushed coral bottom and biowheel filter, some fish and fake plastic items (pots, plants, etc). As I progressed, I ended up pulling out the fake and going to live rock. Eventually, I pulled out the fish and removed the crushed coral (I am not a proponent of this type of bottom as it gets very dirty and causes poor water quality) and went to shallow sand bed. Whatever you do, please read as much as possible first. Once you get the tank up and running, it will only be slightly more work than freshwater. Good luck.

[Tasher80]

If you like SW its not that hard. Just a little more money and a little more work. A Fish only tank will be the easiest, then you could move to a reef tank if you wanted. I started out as a reef and now am moving more towards SPS'. Like I said above if you want salt water fish then just do it. Just read lots before you make a single purchase then you will have more informed decisions without wasting your money on things you don't really need.

[Taz]

I did alot of research and go library check out all the books about saltwater fish and reef. It take me over a year to finish the reading and understand the basic about saltwater aquarium. Then I went to lfs ask them about the price for 55 gal complete setup and light system without live stocks ( Live rock, fishs and corals ) guess what the total price is $1,150 wow with live stocks I'm sure is over $1,500 easy. Anyway, while I'm doing my research, I search around for a good deal on Craig List website, pet ads,the reef tank and etc...You will find good deal even very cheap sometime. Make my story short I bought 55 gal acrylic TruVu, stand, canopy, protein skimmer, 2 Jebo heaters, a sump, workhorse 7 ballast, actinic light, VHO light, 50/50 light, ballast for MH light, test kits, supplements, salt, 2 Maxi jet, Fluval 304 filter and wavemaker. Live stock include 80 lbs live rock from Togo, 2 damsels, a pair maroon clown, regal tang, foxface, flame angle, emeral crab, 5 hermit crabs, 3 snails, 2 star fish, coral band shirmp, leather coral, blue hammer coral, Green Star Poly, Orange and green zoo, and silver xenia. I bought the complete setup for $350 (save over $1,000) from a guy he move to other state. The tank is 3 years old from the guy I bought, and I have this tank for 6 months now not even 1 fish or coral die from me and I plan to add more coral to my reef tank. Tell your brother he can have your freshwater tank, and wait for a good deal I'm sure there will be one for you when the time is come. I enjoy my reef tank alot, I guess I take the short cut. Welcome to reef hobby.

Tony

[smeesus]

I was wondering around Barnes 'n Nobles last night and found "Salt water tanks for dummies" would that be a good book for a novice in the salt water world or would that just be a waste of my money and go with the books that was suggested be better: Bob Fenner's "Conscientious Marine Aquarist" book and Scott Michael's books?

[ErinGoBragh]

Originally Posted by smeesus

I was wondering around Barnes 'n Nobles last night and found "Salt water tanks for dummies" would that be a good book for a novice in the salt water world or would that just be a waste of my money and go with the books that was suggested be better: Bob Fenner's "Conscientious Marine Aquarist" book and Scott Michael's books?

I am sure it will be a good book for now, but don't limit your info to one source. as was mentioned before, go to the library, the books are free. Just be carefull with older books as a lot has changed in the past 15 years.
I was somewhat intimidated with my first sw tank, and unfortunately I didn't do my own research. I got all my info from the lfs. well 3 months later I ended having to start completely over because of a tank crash. I have now learned alot more, and my tank is basically taking care of itself. All I do is weekly water changes and top off water every couple of days. I didn't see if it was mentioned before, but make sure you budget money for a quality skimmer. it will make your life much easier. If you buy a cheap one in the beginning, you will only end up replacing it later, so it really won't save you anything.

[pnkpanther]

If you buy a cheap one in the beginning, you will only end up replacing it later, so it really won't save you anything.

I wish i had found you sooner

LFS....ooo the seaclown will be fun, it's rate for a tank twice your size

so, i basically took a hit on that, and "rolled" it in to cost of my new skimmer

[ErinGoBragh]

Originally Posted by pnkpanther

I wish i had found you sooner

LFS....ooo the seaclown will be fun, it's rate for a tank twice your size

so, i basically took a hit on that, and "rolled" it in to cost of my new skimmer

The sad part is I still don't have one, BUT... I have a 20 gallon tank, and I am religous about changing 10%-20% weekly.

[Tomaquar]

My opinion is that it comes down to do you view the tank as a decoration or a hobby. If its a deocration then fill it with neon tetras and enjoy. If this is a hobby go for the SW. There are hardy polyps that can take huge amounts of abuse and look just fine when you finally figure that 7.9 isnt an optimal ph and 1 watt per gallon is a bit too dim. I screw my tank up on a fairly regular basis but still enjoy it.

[smeesus]

has anyone tried sandblasting sand in their tank? if so what did you mix it with?