Salt Water fish tanks....anybody?

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xraidedloc831

xraidedloc831

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#3
Apr 25, 2002
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I have had fish tanks for about 15yrs. I currently have a 30gallon tank with some neon tetras, some tequilla sunrise fish and a alge eater. I used to have a salt water aquarium but they are way to much money to maintaine. I have maintained my fresh water tank for about 10yrs and never had a fish die. I ran a salt water for a little over 4yrs and I couldnt finanacally keep up with the demands of the tank. IE salt water levels the heat levels, live plants and keeping them alive. lighing to keep the live plants alive. Most important the filter. there is just so much more you have to maintain in a saltwater tank. Even a fresh water tank takes alot of attention. i see so many people go to the pet store and see the tight looking tanks and decide to get one then two weeks later when it gets dirty they just throw it away because they realize you have to do 25% water changes and clean the gravel and keep the filter clean. if you get one i would say fresh water unless your up for the challenges listed. I didnt mean to make this reply so long but just thought i would lay it all out for you to decide. There is so much more to say but ill wait for you to reply lolol.
 
Doberman

Doberman

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#6
May 1, 2003
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xraidedloc831 said:
I didnt mean to make this reply so long but just thought i would lay it all out for you to decide. There is so much more to say but ill wait for you to reply lolol.
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Don't trip, that's exactly what I was looking for. I been hearin it's hella work to maintain. More than likely gonna go the fresh water route. I've dealt with those. Pretty low maintenance. Thanks.
 
3xLaZY

3xLaZY

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#7
Jun 2, 2002
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my patna is ALLLL about salt-water tanks...he's got hookups on all kinds of fish/marine life too...(pihranas, aligators, crazy ass fish/turtles, etc.)

i'm sure he could sell you a little setup if you're interested...
 
Doberman

Doberman

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#9
May 1, 2003
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SHEA said:
You raaaaaang?

I am a saltwater fishtank NUT!....been doing reefs for about 9 years.....5 years STRONG on the same reef- did hella upgrades 2 weeks ago & copped some rare shit.


hollar at me if ya need any advice...for reals, cause I could talk about this shit all damn day.

& it dont cost as much as you'd think......a grand will have you a SICK ass show tank- 500 will get you started on a dope reef.....250 & you could have a nano-reef.

If you are in the bay, & do tank set-ups & maintenence as well....only for saltwater- I dont do freshwater. It sucks.
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If I go salt water...I want some rugged ass durable fish. Not no sensitive as fish that will die at the slightest change in the environment. Some fool proof type of fish for a salt water beginner. Can you post a check list of your duties on your tank to keep it proper? Including the type of fish? Lifespan, temps...etc. How often do you need to buy supplies?
 
Doberman

Doberman

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#10
May 1, 2003
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SHEA said:
fish / starter fish: You have to seed the tank with bacteria, thus you'll need some hardy fish to start with. I'd say 2 Damsils, & a green Chromis. They wont die....no matter what- lol- trust me, I've tried killing them bastards. Downfall is, they'll kill everything in there once you start loading up on good shit - thus, your gonna have to take em out before you REALLY get started. Only keep 1.

No saltwater is "full proof", my advice is buy your water, pre-mixxed. Dunno where you stay, but a lot of stores will carry skimmed saltwater to start your tank with. If you go the old school way, you'd have to have your tank setup for at least 6 weeks before you put anything in there.

A protien skimmer / heater ( tripocal fish should set between 79 & 81 degrees ) / 2 GOOD powerheads for current / & a fluval canister filter should get you started ( unless you wanna pay HELLA money & build a backpack skimmer for your tank )

Your chem will run you about $15 a month- they have pre-mixxes for beginners - after a while, you will learn your balances, & be able to buy the chem individually, cause you'll know what you need, for what you have. But the premix stuff is great to start with. One of the most important things to have for salt, is the lights- thats probably the most expensive part too-....you have to get a 50/50 light, atenic, & a halogen as well.

My duties, now that the tank is 5 years strong ( & close to the same in the beginning ) are- feeding once a day, or course ( no flake foods either....you want to feed them brine shrimp - frozen or fresh- either way ) - once a week chemming the tank, & cleaning the view - & a 5% water change on a weekly basis. ....you can have your water checked @ the store, but I'd buy a kit for like 5 bucks if I were you, to test it yourself.

what size tank you plan on setting up?
rock is the best natural filtering system you can have- just make sure you only buy live rock & live sand. ( or live coral, if you prefer a coral base )

once you've setup the tank, & you've had it for a few months, you'll learn by trial & error, what goes with what- you'll see you can get some real sensitive type stuff ( anenomes, pollyps, starfish, soft corals, shrimps, & so on ) but it takes time to get your tank up to speed for these creatures to live in the enviroment.

Google some of the salt water message boards, & advice is abundent - & a lot of those cats on there have masters degrees in marine biology ( which I am studying for now )
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Man...good lookin out...this helped a lot. I'll research all the things you mentioned. This has me going in right direction...really appreciate it. I want to start with a 100 gal. tank, and I live in Dago. Lots of marine places around here.
 
killahoe666

killahoe666

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#12
May 3, 2002
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I think i'm bout to start up on a salt water tank, i've had a fresh water set up (44 pentagon) for about 4 years but want to see if i can do the salt water set up....I've gotten a lot of info from people I know and give similar feedback like Shea mentioned above....you have any pics Shea? of your set-up
 
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