OT: Saltwater aquariums...

[JRose]

My in-laws gave us a nice aquarium and stand, wanting to do a saltwater setup with live rock and coral. Anyone know the ins and outs of what I need and where to get it?

And yes, I know saltwater is a pain in the ass, but they're just too cool...

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Re: OT: Saltwater aquariums...

We too have been interested in this for some time. If you would, give us all some updates.

Our plans, when we have the disposable income for this, is to put the pumps and skimmers downstairs. Both for the noise, as well as the clutter.

There are a number of different lighting options. One extreme is the Metal Halide (SuperBrightGrowOpBastiges) to the L.E.D. Blanket that simulates sunrise, through to MidDay and Evening, and then also has Stars during the nighttime cycle.

None of this stuff is cheap, but there sure is a lot that is expensive'er.

Let us know how you make out.

 

[REELDOC]

Re: OT: Saltwater aquariums...

Be prepared to look after it every single day especially until it is stabilized. If you have even the chance of loosing power get a small generator if you don't already have one, don't ask me why I know. Start off with cheap fish to get your bioculture straightened out first then add more expensive fish as you go along. Here is a good site........
The best days of my saltwater aquarium adventure was the day I got it and the day I sold it. But, then again I used to raise and breed freshwater Discus fish so nerves staying on end was the usual.
http://www.saltwateraquariumguide.com/

 

[Shady_Jay]

Re: OT: Saltwater aquariums...

I had like a mini zoo when I was a kid. Just don't ever pour the water in your tank that was in the fish bag from the store. We bought one of those sea horses, brought the water to the tank temp, and poured the whole thing in. Everything died in the next week. It was a total pisser cause salt water fish are frigging expensive.

 

[JRose]

Re: OT: Saltwater aquariums...

Maybe I should just make a 38 gallon Sea Monkey aquarium...

 

[Swampkat]

Re: OT: Saltwater aquariums...

Is it a regular tank or is drilled to run a sump for a saltwater setup, and how many gallons is it?

BTW fish only and FOWLR saltwater setups aren't really a PITA, but when you get into reefs that's a different story.

 

[Jrb572]

Re: OT: Saltwater aquariums...

Saltwater is not the mystery everyone makes it out to be. Just expensive. By an ecosystem filter it uses miracle mud and calupra? I think that is how it's spelled. Anyway it is a live plant that goes in you filter sump with the mud. Metal halide light or lights. Depending on size. A chiller is great if you can not get water to stay a temp. They are not hard they are just expensive. I forget how much live rock is needed. I think it's at least 2 pounds per gallon. Do not put a thick layer of crushed coral on the tank floor. Just enough to not see the glass. I have a 30gal salt tank. I have kept sea horses and pipefish in it with out trouble. Water changes and vacuuming the tank once a week is important. Use only purified water. Best bet is to buy a corrallife filter. It's not bad any questions PM me. I will do my best to help. I have had the tank for 5+ years. You just have to be careful what you let in your tank. It is hard to find a pet shop with quality fish. What I mean by that is. The store might be preaty and have tons of fish but that is not quality. There is a place here it looks great. But you buy a fish from them it would die and take at least one more fish with it. They are mostly wild cought fish that are stressed to the make from shipping and sick. That is the hardest part. Finding a store you can trust. But google ecosystem filters.

 

[Shady_Jay]

Re: OT: Saltwater aquariums...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JRose</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Maybe I should just make a 38 gallon Sea Monkey aquarium... </div></div>

No I got ripped off on that shit when I was 6. No underwater civilizations. Just stupid brine shrimp.

 

[Shady_Jay]

Re: OT: Saltwater aquariums...

oh and my wife has to bring me beers the rest of the night. She asked what I was talking about on SH and I told her, "sea monkeys"


She called bullshit on me and lost the bet.

 

[JRose]

Re: OT: Saltwater aquariums...

It's a 38 gallon standard tank, no special stuff drilled in it...

Thanks JRB, I'll hit you up. I really wanted a reef tank, but maybe this isn't the proper set up for one? Maybe I'm not ready for it?

 

[JRose]

Re: OT: Saltwater aquariums...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Captain Kick-Ass</div><div class="ubbcode-body">oh and my wife has to bring me beers the rest of the night. She asked what I was talking about on SH and I told her, "sea monkeys"


She called bullshit on me and lost the bet. </div></div>

Brine shrimp my ass, it's all on how you feed them...

 

[The Mechanic]

Re: OT: Saltwater aquariums...

Wow you are a little late. I just literally threw away my 300 gallon glass tank with mercury halide bulbs and transformer, actinic bulbs and the whole nine yards. I tried to sell it on craiglist and really had no luck and really just didn't want to bring people to the town home. Bummer, I had a guy haul out a bunch of stuff out of the back yard and told him to just take it. Nothing more beautiful than saltwater fish.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Re: OT: Saltwater aquariums...

Mechanic,

I wonder what that would have cost, to ship to Winnipeg Manitoba?




Arrrggg.

 

[JRose]

Re: OT: Saltwater aquariums...

Dammit man...

 

[Phil1]

Re: OT: Saltwater aquariums...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JRose</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dammit man... </div></div>

Doubble dammit!!

 

[Swampkat]

Re: OT: Saltwater aquariums...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JRose</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It's a 38 gallon standard tank, no special stuff drilled in it...

Thanks JRB, I'll hit you up. I really wanted a reef tank, but maybe this isn't the proper set up for one? Maybe I'm not ready for it? </div></div>


Here is a link that gives you basic info on what you'll need and why for freshwater, FOWLR, and reef systems.

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/pic/article.cfm?N=2004&aid=1473

http://www.fishlore.com/reeftanksetup.htm

http://www.fishlore.com/SaltwaterBeginners.htm

 

[teknikallysekure]

Re: OT: Saltwater aquariums...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JRose</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My in-laws gave us a nice aquarium and stand, wanting to do a saltwater setup with live rock and coral. Anyone know the ins and outs of what I need and where to get it?

And yes, I know saltwater is a pain in the ass, but they're just too cool... </div></div>

Everything you need to know is here:

Also there are some alternatives to liverocks which may come with significantly less frustrating surprises.

http://garf.org/index.shtml