wot equipment do i need for a saltwater fish setup?

Answer 1

Way too much info to go into in any amount of detail here! This will depend largely on the types on sealife you intend to keep. A fish-only setup will require less than a reef system, larger tanks may require more than smaller ones.

At a minimum, you'll need the tank, filter, lighting, heater (unless your room temperature can keep the water temperature a stable 74-78o), a couple of powerheads for water movement, hydrometer (to measure salinity) and a good reference book. A protein skimmer is highly recommended, and a chiller may be necessary if your water temperature gets too high on a constant basis.

There are plenty of options as far as lighting and filtration systems.

I would suggest starting to figure out what you need by decinding on the fish you'd like to keep. Research their adult sizes and the minimum size tank you'll need to keep them as adults (saltwater fish are mor territorial and aggressive than their freshwater counterparts, and they're less tolerant of poor water conditions, so larger tanks are needed for the same number of fish). Also take into consideration the activity level and compatibility, and whether or not they're reef safe (if you would ever want to consider keeping corals, shrimp, crabs, snails, etc.). If you want photosynthetic inverts (some of the corals, clams, and anemones), you'll need higher intensity lighting (compact fluorescents, metal halides, or a combination). Beyond that, what you choose will depend on the size of the tank, what's in it, and your budget.

You can find good information about different equipment (pros and cons) and tank-keeping methds at this website: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/index.htm

Some other sites with info I'll list below:
http://www.apapets.com/MarineEcosystem/whatto.htm
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=16&cat=1990&articleid=2605
http://www.peteducation.com/index.cfm?cls=16
http://www.fishlore.com/SaltwaterBeginners.htm

Answer 2

Well fist of all how big is your tank? Salt go with a good quality salt like Seachem reef or marine salt this contains all the trace minerals your tank will need. Iodine and calcium are other products you will need. Hydrometer to measure saltiness, I would recommend a wet dry filter (you could use a canister filter or power filter though), protein skimmer, live rock (1-11/2 lbs per gallon) and live sand (1/2-1 lb per gallon) are great for cycling the tank faster test kit ( for measuring pH, ammonia, nitrates), good lighting at least 4 watts per gallon (compacts are fine, but VHOs are better), power head one that rotates for water movement. That will get you started. And then within a month add a couple of damsels to start out with for about 3 weeks then get rid of them if you do not want them and add fish, coral, and inverts as desired
GOOD LUCK ~~~

Answer 3

Well fist of all how big is your tank? Salt go with a good quality salt like Seachem reef or marine salt this contains all the trace minerals your tank will need. Iodine and calcium are other products you will need. Hydrometer to measure saltiness, I would recommend a wet dry filter (you could use a canister filter or power filter though), protein skimmer, live rock (1-11/2 lbs per gallon) and live sand (1/2-1 lb per gallon) are great for cycling the tank faster test kit ( for measuring pH, ammonia, nitrates), good lighting at least 4 watts per gallon (compacts are fine, but VHOs are better), power head one that rotates for water movement. That will get you started. And then within a month add a couple of damsels to start out with for about 3 weeks then get rid of them if you do not want them and add fish, coral, and inverts as desired.

Answer 4

Let's discuss what you don't need for a sec. 1- a heater. Since most saltwater fish/inverts thrive at room temp. don't bother with a heater unless you have a generator to run it (should the power fail in winter) I'd be more likely to recomend a chiller since most people end up with way too much lighting making it hard to keep the temp low enough. 2- 1lb/gal of substrate. The bacterial colonies that clean the tank will prefer the live rock to substrate. The substrate need only be 1/2-1" thick. 3- a skimmer. Skimmers are great filters for very fine water polishing but if you NEED one it means that you screwed something else up (too many fish, too much light, not enough filtration, etc.) 4- oscillating water jets. Great for eliminating dead spots in the water movement but, again, if you NEED one it means that you didn't place your water jets/ arrange your live rock correctly to begin with. 5- calcium reactor. A relic of the hobby left over from the days before live rock and crushed coral substrates were widely used. 6- under gravel filtration. Using this system in any aquarium is questionable. Works ok for a while but will eventually lead to disaster. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

For a basic set up (upgrades can be added later)
I would suggest no less than 30 gallon that makes for a great starter tank
Dolomite, crushed coral or sand enough to cover 2" of the bottom
Water of course
Salt, anything from Instant ocean (a synthetic salt) or Red Reef salt (pure salt from the red sea)
Filter, on a 30 you can get away with just a whisper or aquasafe filter (nothing fancy) you really don't have to even start out with a protein skimmer if you keep an eye on your tank and do water changes
Gravel siphone
Hydrometer (I would suggest two different kinds actually)
A good dechlor water conditioner like Novaqua Plus
Heater (YES it needs to be heated)
Standard aquarium lighting will work for most salt tanks. If you start jumping up to corals, you will need different lighting and in some cases just change the bulbs

A powerhead is nice but in a 30 gal not needed especially if you are running a backpack filter
A wooden spoon (New)
2 5 gal buckets (for cleaning and mixing) Not used for anything
A book, I suggest the Marine keepers bible
Saltwater test kit
A good in the tank thermometer
(A chiller is not needed. You would have to live on the Equator and have no shade to need one.)

You don't need live sand or rock to start a tank. People who have no patience use these items to attempt to cycle the water faster but really you don't HAVE to have them.

Good luck and welcome to the world of salt water

Answer 6

My community PetCo sells them, definite. do no longer anticipate the charges to be lots extra useful. My LFS, previously they wen out of economic employer, replaced into relatively often extra value-efficient than PetCo and with extra useful high quality fish. definite, saltwater fish are costly. Why? They have been caught from the wild and flown midway international huge previously you got here across them in the fish keep.

Answer 7

To be honest buddy, this question is answered by entire BOOKS...needless to say, I'm no author. But what I will do is point you in the direction of a website, were you can go and ask questions on forums with a friendly, knowledgable, and helpful crowd, and were you can go and read a plethora of very helpful articles that will you get you started on your voyage to REEF-DOM!!!!!!!

Here's the link: http://www.livingreefs.com/forums/register.php?referrerid=1343

Answer 8

Tank at least 50 gallons, salt, hydrometer, coral gravel or sand. Under gravel filter if using coral, protein skimmer, test kit, stand this is most of it

Answer 9

Aquarium sand, undergravel filter, heater, thermometer and hydrometer, at least 50 gal. tank, and fish!