Looking for Help Starting a Tropical Aquarium

[kilteddj]

Hello all, and thanks for all your help in advance!

I have just bought a 75 gallon tank and I want to maintain having a tropical saltwater tank.  The gent I bought the tank from used it for freshwater fish, but gave me the filter and heater although they look used and I'd like to replace them (I don't want to leave something running all day that is old when I am not at home as a fire precaution).  I am very interested in having this as a nice addition to my new home, and having it as a hobby.  The only thing is I'm very green when it comes to this!  I was hoping some of you guys could explain to me in layman terms what I need to do and the basics and most suitable components to buy.  If it would be easier for you to recommend some books then that would be fine also.

Thanks again.

Brent

[wvgdiscus]

Re: Looking for Help Starting a Tropical Aquarium

Welcome to the box Brent.
This site mostly deals with freshwater aquariums.
It might be best for you to post this on http://www.marshreef.com/ as they are alot better with saltwater.

With that being said I also keep saltwater tanks to & I happen to be a mod on marshreef as well.
If you going to do a saltwater tank sell the canister filter & go with a sump. You will also need a skimmer.
I am not sure of what lighting you have. Compact lights are the very minimum you can go with for saltwater.
Depending on how cool you keep your house you might need a chiller to.

If your in the market for a skimmer or return pump for the sump let me know & I can make your a deal on both of them.

[fishlady]

Re: Looking for Help Starting a Tropical Aquarium

welcome to the box brent....good luck with the saltwater set up your going for....

[Zulaab]

Re: Looking for Help Starting a Tropical Aquarium

Welcome to the box :)   I am going to go with wvgdiscus advice there :)  See Marshreef.com for your Salty issues

We dont want to chase you away, so please feel free to talk to us all here too :)  Just remember this is mainly a freshy board therefore there are going to be plenty of folks who will have no clue what to do when the salinity reaches 1.020+

[Mzungu]

Re: Looking for Help Starting a Tropical Aquarium

Welcome!  

Is there any reason why you would like to start with saltwater rather than freshwater? I think a good number of us on here do both, but will all be ready and willing to try to convince you to try freshwater!

Good luck!  

And I third the motion to visit MARSHReef, it's a great site.

[Lucy]

Re: Looking for Help Starting a Tropical Aquarium

IMO, for a person with little to no fish experience, salt water is a bit of a leap....I would recomend starting with a fresh water setup until you learn about things like the nitrogen cycle and various details envolving water chemistry and how it relates to specific fish and other marine life.  

I'm not trying to scare you away from saltwater, but it is a bit more detailed and precarious (sp) than fresh water tends to be and it requires alot more patience too.  I know I've had fish for many many years and I don't feel that I'm ready to make the leap to brackish water much less salt....I wish you the best of luck!!
Regards,
Lucy

ps
I've never been to MARSHreef, but if these guys say it is great, then you can take that to the bank!

[edmlfc]

Re: Looking for Help Starting a Tropical Aquarium

When you set up saltwater, nothing that you learned with freshwater tanks will apply or very little will. When I set up my saltwater tank it was like learning the whole process all over again in different terms. Kind of like learning english and then spanish.  It's not that difficult just more costly to get started. If you do saltwater just take things very slow and don't rush. If you try to rush things you will be very disappointed. Lot's of luck with your tank and I am sure the folks at marshreef will be a great help.