Any good books on starting one?
Any tips for getting it started?
2006-06-23 12:17:07 · 8 answers · asked by BOSCO 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
sure do .
one of the best that i have read has been marine aquariums for dummies it takes you threw step by step . it is not much different then setting up a fresh water with the exceptions of higher pH , coral substrate , a protein skimmer salt and a longer cycling period their is also more moderate difference when setting up a coral reef then just a fish only marine . but that book will be great to get you started .
Amy
2006-06-23 12:33:09 · answer #1 · answered by Amy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fill a tank with salt water ( specific garvity should be around 1.021 - 1.025 and a new filter (you need somthing that moves at least 200 gallons/hour. Use only Reverse Osmosis cleaned water, regular water (even dechlorinated) will cause huge slime and algae blooms.
-Add a few inches of crushed aragonite, shells or sand
-Add at least 10 pounds of live rock (cured is best, you can tell if it isn't if it has a stong smell) for about a 40 gallon tank
- You will need to have floescent lights (one floescent and one actinic tube is better and you channge one every six months so that niether is ever more then one year old)
- A heater is probably a good idea depending on what fish you have
- Test the water daily, Like a freshwater tank the ammonia nitrite and nitrate levels will all take a turn at rising, then subside to normal levels. When the levels are no longer spiking, it is time to start slowly adding fish. This can take a few months to a year - depending on how lucky you are.
- Maintaining a fish-only tank isn't too hard once it is started. You do weekly salt-water changes of about 10% of the water, and replace evaporated water with water only (salt doesn't evaporate). Feed whatever is appropriate to the fish in the tank.
- Corals are what makes it a huge expense and challenge as they need metal halide lights, skimmers, refugiums, chillers etc. not too mention the supplements and feeds.
http://fins.actwin.com/mirror/sbegin-set...
http://www.bestfish.com/breakin.html.......
http://faq.thekrib.com/sbegin-setup.html...
2006-06-23 12:46:50 · answer #2 · answered by iceni 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Haha we all claim to know alot about salt water but its never enough people are still learning more and more everyday.
There are many sources out there and many different orthodox and unorthodox methods of keeping saltwater fish inverts and corals.
Websites , books , internet etc etc.
The problem with books is that that sometimes tend to get outdated and biased to the authors personal opinion.
I think look at a variety of opinions and guides , follow the same basic principle but talor what you think would work for you.
There are always those who claim to know it all but yeh noone really does know it all.
Can be a problem starting out with the hobby aswell was very frustrating getting conflicting opinions.
You can agree to disagree but basically i would start out at www.reefcentral.com
Thats where i did but yeh i dont claim to know just going by personal experience.
Its free and has many hobbyist willing to share their methods of keeping saltwater tanks.
Good luck with it and do your research it pays off in the end and after a while you end up knowing the difference between people who know and dont know what their talking about.
2006-06-23 15:50:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is so much to learn about saltwater aquariums BEFORE you buy one. They are expensive and a lot of work but can be very rewarding.
One of my favorite sites is reefcentral.com - register and start reading. That's the best advice I can give you.
If you decide to purchase one - don't buy fish right away because the tank has to cycle first and if you don't let it cycle before you add the fish you'll just be wasting money 'cause the fish will die.
Also, research fish before you buy them. They don't all get along and some are harder to feed then others.
2006-06-23 19:49:43 · answer #4 · answered by Sarah L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I was considering starting one and asked around (pet stores, etc.). I found out they are pretty expensive and a real pain to keep up with. Needless to say, I went with a regular tank that I can fill up with water out my kitchen. I would really consider it before taking the step to actually get one.
Hope I helped.
2006-06-23 20:03:52 · answer #5 · answered by ♥Just_Me♥ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to your pet store they will be able to give you the best advice
2006-06-23 15:05:53 · answer #6 · answered by tinkerbell85 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to the library.
2006-06-23 12:47:00 · answer #7 · answered by ♥Michelle♥ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are expensive and are hard to take care of
2006-06-23 12:57:13 · answer #8 · answered by mikeyc 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋