[SierahD]

Hello! I'm Sierah and im completely new to Salt water aquariums, ive had a couple aquariums growing up and now have a cute little beta tank but nothing to fancy! But ive always wanted to start a saltwater aquarium since it has always interested me... I was think a shrimp and goby tank? The tank is around 30 gallons ... Any tips? Well more like i need lots of good advice, thank you!:rotflmao:

 

[jerryclunsford]

Welcome and have fun.
Most important tip, Take your time, ask questions and research all livestock you want to get thoroughly.
Make sure you get your tank cycled BEFORE you put livestock in it.
Don't go for short cuts.
Don't take your LFS's (local fish store) word for anything always verify it until you know you can trust them. Some are crooked, some are not knowledgeable.
The easiest way to cycle a tank is to simply throw a piece of raw table shrimp in let it decay, the bacteria you need will grow, you don't have to go out and by bottled bacteria.
Use RO/DI or distilled water to mix your saltwater mix.
You will need something to measure the salinity or Specific gravity of the water, A Hydrometer or refractometer will work.
Get test kits for pH, Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate you will need them to tell when the tank is cycled. The API Salt Water Master Kit has all of these.
Most of all be patient.

 

[hackshobby]

Good morning Sierah and welcome to TRT! Jerry pretty much put it all in a nutshell for ya. Patients comes easier as time goes by in this hobby, but waiting for the 'initial cycle' can be really trying to a new comer.....just relax, it will happen. That time while you're waiting for your tank to cycle is a great time to research what you REALLY WANT on your reef, and learn all you can about them....plenty of time to change your mind, and rethink your selections. I personally love the Gobies, they have incredible personalities. Wishing you all the best,
Hack

 

[sjh481249]

Welcome and have fun.
Most important tip, Take your time, ask questions and research all livestock you want to get thoroughly.
Make sure you get your tank cycled BEFORE you put livestock in it.
Don't go for short cuts.
Don't take your LFS's (local fish store) word for anything always verify it until you know you can trust them. Some are crooked, some are not knowledgeable.
The easiest way to cycle a tank is to simply throw a piece of raw table shrimp in let it decay, the bacteria you need will grow, you don't have to go out and by bottled bacteria.
Use RO/DI or distilled water to mix your saltwater mix.
You will need something to measure the salinity or Specific gravity of the water, A Hydrometer or refractometer will work.
Get test kits for pH, Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate you will need them to tell when the tank is cycled. The API Salt Water Master Kit has all of these.
Most of all be patient.

+1

Also, go for the biggest tank that you think you can fit and afford. Don't worry about taking care of it, just get a larger tank if you feel that you can. In SW, you will likely grow out of your tank quickly when starting small; and with coral growth and the tank itself, it will not mature for a very long time. Don't want to setup a 30, get a month down the road and be like I love this so much I want a 40/60/100! Then realize that you'll need more equipment for the most part. Lastly, a larger tank means less maintenance. The larger water volume means it takes nutrients longer to become dangerous. And the little bit of extra work like a larger water change and top off is really nominal when you think about the time already spent.