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Thinking about trying saltwater....

1K views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  zaitmi 
#1 ·
I have a 20 gallon tank that I bought this weekend and am thinking of useing it for a salt water tank. I have had freshwater fish since I was 10, I am now 32 and feel I am up to the challenge of saltwater. LOL Is it alot harder than fresh? I have talked to a guy at the LFS who seems to really knows his stuff and he has suggested if I decide to step over to the saltwater side to get live sand and rocks that they sale to start with and then add some soft coral when I feel like I am ready. He showed me several types that were really pretty and he said easy to keep. He also suggested Goby fish as a good first fish so tell me all you can about them to.
Oh and he said they sale premixed/cycled saltwater for .70 a gallon and he said that would also be a good idea. Sorry its kind of long and thank you for any help you guys can give me.:-D
 
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#2 ·
OK im no expert in the marine side. But i do have a 40 gallon set up with crushed coral live, live rock and a 10 gallon sump. It takes awhile to even start to think about corals. Lighting water temp Fish that wont eat them. Ect. Iv had mine for 5 or 6 months now and i am no where ready to even put corals in. Im going to up grade to a 125. Here in a few months. After that is set up for a year i will start puting corals in it. They are tuff to work with. Yea they have easy corals, low light corals, but why go half way when you can research and go all the way.LOL. Is all i can say is do as much research as you can on the net, books on here Ect. Ask questions before starting. Thats my opinion. Pasfur can better help or some one else. What kind of fish do you want? That will tell you what you can do with the tank as in FOWLR (fish only with live rock) or REEF. in my opinion gobys are not a good starter fish. Good luck Cant wait to see your tank build.
 
#3 ·
You can have a successful 20 gallon saltwater tank, so long as you are willing to work within the limitations of the tank. The first piece of advice I have for you is this. Forget everything you know about freshwater. The biggest problem people have in doing saltwater tanks is that they have learned what they can "get away with" in freshwater. These same mistakes will cost you dearly in a marine system. If you do it right, don't push the limits, and take it SLOW, you will have a successful system.

I agree with the basics of this tank. You want live rock and live sand, with a protein skimmer to complete the filtration system. You do not want ANY other form of filtration on a marine system. The use of mechanical filters, hang on filters, internal filters, canisters, undergravels, etc... these all degrade water quality in marine systems. This concept is hard to understand and requires some knowledge of marine chemistry, but it is critical that you accept this part of the hobby.

As you do your research feel free to post any questions. You should start by reading some of the "build" threads in the Pictures and Videos area of this website.
 
#4 ·
Thanks you guys for all your advise. I have decided to wait until next year to do the salt water tank. I will be buying a house and I think it will be better to only have to set up the saltwater once. Also that will give me more room and I will be able to get a bigger tank. Thanks again and I hope you have a great day.
 
#5 ·
start to spend double or more for the marine tank. the spending never ends bro. but at the end the satisfaction is the best part. Anemones corals.exotic fishes. wow.

Please Note : After 1 month of tank cycling i have just added 1 fish to see how it does. Corlas will be taking longer time for you. In Marine Tank -- Patience is the Name of the Game bro.
 
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