Help from Newnan
- Thread starter Redrose
- Start date
Saltwater requires a lot of work and the right equipment. It is also expensive to maintain. Go talk to one of the experts at your local store so they can show you and your Mom what is required.
You’re not going to be able to have a viable, healthy reef tank in just a few days, unless you’re “jump starting” it by using a bunch of live rock and media from an already established system.
I’m going to assume that isn’t an option since you’re coming here looking for help, so might I suggest getting all of the “dry” goods and start working on building a rock scape. You could even start the cycling process. And have it cycled within a few weeks. But whatever you do, please don’t go buy an aquarium and a bunch of fish/coral and toss them into it. This hobby requires patience, these are living creatures we are working with. And nothing will ruin the hobby quicker for someone than spending a bunch of money on coral/fish and losing most/all of them.
I’m going to assume that isn’t an option since you’re coming here looking for help, so might I suggest getting all of the “dry” goods and start working on building a rock scape. You could even start the cycling process. And have it cycled within a few weeks. But whatever you do, please don’t go buy an aquarium and a bunch of fish/coral and toss them into it. This hobby requires patience, these are living creatures we are working with. And nothing will ruin the hobby quicker for someone than spending a bunch of money on coral/fish and losing most/all of them.
I would disagree with saltwater requiring a lot of work and being expensive. It can/will require the amount of money and time you wish to put into it.
The big difference between saltwater and freshwater is salt. Pending the size of the tank, a single large box of salt can last you a long time. I will also add, you would want to include a refractometer so you can measure salt levels; which will cost an additional $15-25.
Most equipment is optional, but most others will agree that a good "protein skimmer" is well worth its value (anywhere from $100-500). Also, a heater is necessity. And many will agree that choosing a "reef ready" (aka "drilled") tank has a lot of value, despite its extra cost. This allows you to store a sump underneath the display area. Sumps can be expensive, but dont have to be. My first 75g tank had a 5 gallon bucket for a sump, before i upgraded to a large plastic storage tote. But after a while, you will likely upgrade to an acrylic sump.
The biggest step will be if you want corals, which will require special lights. These can be surprisingly expensive. But most will recommend avoiding starting a brand new tank with corals. If you want them, add them after 1-3 months.
If you decide to go through with it, the first big question is "how large of a tank do you want?" Id recommend anywhere from 40-120 gallon... unless you want to go bigger, then id say do it! These medium sized tanks will give you fair stability (easier and less stress) and a little room to grow while still potentially satisfying your wishes for a long while. Going smaller often causes many troubles and headaches that result in people abandoning their tanks immediately after starting, or spending significantly more time and money than needed in the beginning.
Oh, and as for fish. Start with just 1 or 2, no more for the first month. Ocellaris or Percula, Clownfish, are excellent beginner fish and highly recommended. As for food, i recommend avoiding pellets or flakes. Instead buy a small pack of frozen food. You can ask the fish store what they recommend, but i like starting with the purple Hikari Mysis Shrimp. Hikari makes a bunch of small ice cube-like packs of frozen fish food. And their mysis shrimp will provide decent nutrition without dirtying up the water.
Lastly, buying a used tank is a great way to save startup money. Just make sure that it holds water and doesn't have any cracks. Note that if a seller is including any live (wet) rock or sand, fish, corals, water, or anything else biological... then you may be saving money but you are also inheriting any of thier problems/diseases/pests. So do so with good inspection and a grain of salt (of which you will have plenty).
Welcome and good luck!
Still, even buying used, plan on spending at least $500 to get started, set up, and running... including supplies for the first 6-12 months.
Setting up is the most stressful and expensive step. And when starting, you have very little knowledge accumulated. But we are all here because we both chose to do it, and chose to keep it.
Setting up is the most stressful and expensive step. And when starting, you have very little knowledge accumulated. But we are all here because we both chose to do it, and chose to keep it.
Buy mom a gift card for Xmas. If she has no previous saltwater experience, get her an ARC membership and set her up with one of our local store experts. Nemo’s, Premier, Pure Reef as examples. Reading and talking with folks will save money in the long run.
Gary
Gary
