new to the hobby

[kendsley]

ive kept really messy freshwater fish (oscars) alive for years, so i figure the time is right to make the jump into saltwater. ive been researching the matter for a good 2 or 3 years and i think i have a good grasp at what to do.

the only things im having problems with are determining what brand of salt to use (searching google brings up tons of articles on this brand vs that brand, ect ect) and what type of skimmer i should use.

as of today, i do not have any of the stuff required to start a tank. im going to pick up some lights and a tank later today. im also thinking about ordering some sand off of ebay since i cant find any locally that isnt insanely priced.

i still have not decided how big of a tank im going to get either. since i am moving in 2 weeks, im not looking to start up the tank immediatly, but rather gather all the equiptment i need now and assemble it once i am moved. keep in mind, i am not sure if im going to be on the 1st or 2nd floor, so id like to keep the tank size under 75 gallons just in case im on the 2nd floor.

im open to suggestions and also, if you have any of the stuff required to start a tank (remember, i have nothing right now), id be happy to purchase it off of you. i found a good deal on the lights, so im set in that area actually. everything else (the actual tank, stand, filtration, sand, rock) i still need.

[Jeff]

welcome, well as for a salt brand some will claim this is better or that one, to start up the tank i think the cheapest is the best. you don't have any corals to have to worry about the correct calcium or alkalinity. tank size is up to you and the place your moving into, there are lots of nano tanks that are "all in ones" that are really great, look in the nano forum for more advise. keep us posted as you get your equipment togeather and we will help as much as possible.

[LoneStar]

Well first off Welcome to MAAST

Second where are you located at? Or locating to?

As for your salt and skimmer question....that can bring a variety of answers. Usually knowing what type of system (reef, FOWL[Fish Only With Liverock]) and what size tank you will be running will help with finding a solution. There are different types of salt mixes, and some work better than others, depending on what you want to keep. Same goes with a skimmer.

What lights were you thinking about getting?

Depending on your location, you can find sand at LFS stores. Don't spend the extra money in buying live sand at the stores though. Just get the regular aragonite mix. Then post on here to see if any members can donate cupfulls of live sand from their systems. You can use these cupfulls to help 'seed' your sand. The amount of life you will get from members tanks will be a lot better than any bagged live sand at the stores.

The biggest advice I can offer you right off the bat is to be wise on your equipment purchases. Try to get a scope of what you want to keep in the future with your tank. I know its hard to when setting up a tank for the first time, but if you think you will be here for the long run, no sense of wasting your money on equipment that will just get you by for now. Sometimes its worth it to wait and save up for a nicer set of lights, skimmer, pump.....

Feel free to ask as many questions as you can think of.

[erikharrison]

WELCOME TO MAAST!

Yeah, echo what they said!

[kendsley]

i love corals! i am definatly interested in keeping corals. what kinds, i dont know, but just browsing ebay makes me know for sure that i will definatly want corals.

im picking up t5 lights and 1 power compact light later today. the research ive done shows that alot of people have had good success with t5 lights and coral growth. power compact lights work but are hot and you wont get that much growth out of them compared to t5s.

theres a 30 gallon long fish tank that im looking at, and also a 55 gallon tank. i need something that has a stand though, as i have nothing that will hold a tank that big.

i do plan on keeping fish just not that many. im more fascinated with corals.

my name is kristina btw, i didnt say that in my original post :)

[LoneStar]

I had a lot of success with my old 55g. My only gripe with 55 gallon tanks is that they are not that deep of a tank (only around 12-13"). Rock work will be a little tricky but its doable. If you find a 75g somewhere thats in your price range, I'd personally get it. The 75g is deeper and really opens up more possiblities in aquascaping.

Just my thoughts...

[kendsley]

looks like ive got a few areas covered already. i already have a 50gpd RO water unit and i found 2 big heaters that still work in storage. i agree with what you said, lonestar, about 12 inches being shallow. i want to make the rock look nice, and 12 inches isnt alot of room to work with. ive seen rocks at fish stores that are way bigger than 12 inches. a deeper tank, like 18 inches or more, seems ideal for aquascaping.

[erikharrison]

Hey Kristina, betcha can't guess what my name is! Look in the for sale section here. GREAT deals on some setups!

[hobogato]

i think a great tank to start with is a 58 gallon - 3'longX18"wideX20"tall (i think). not too small, but not too big to start with. start with a reef ready tank from the beginning, altho there are some people that use siphon overflow boxes successfully, there are many disaster stories with them. with a 58 gallon tank, you could get away with a single MH pendant and some t5 for actinic supplementation.

[SuperMom]

I think you are in the right track. I found this site after I went to an LFS I bought everything recomended for a reef tank. My tank sounds like a Loundramat on steroids, the pumps are loud! Good luck with your new tank, My livestock is happy though.

[tony]

welcome to maast kristina!!!

make a list of some of the stuff you still need to complete your setup and post it in the wanted section. maast has been in a VERY giving mood lately

[AMulwani]

very cool site! Welcome to MAAST

[kendsley]

i will do that. so far, ive gotten my lights. im probably going to have to order different bulbs since theyre all 10ks. i picked up 2 separate 4 inch t5 strips, 54 watts x 4. i also picked up a single 96 watt power compact light. all for the price of 75$

ill go to the wanted section and make a list.