Need advice

[zackmoitoso]

Hi everyone,
One of my favorite things to do is to tend to my aquarium. I have had multiple freshwater tanks, but never a salt water. I am deployed right now and scheduled to come home soon. I am looking to add some life to my house and have been researching ways to set up and maintain salt water tanks. My wife and I had a baby nine months ago so funds are a little tight and cant really afford a bigger tank at the moment. I have a 25gallon tank and was looking for advice on how I should go about setting up my salt water habitat. If you could include starter tips, fish sites that deliver or ship, etc it would be much appreciated!

[reepher315]

If you order fish online you will pay a ton in shipping. No local fish shops?

Also a 25g tank isnt a bad starter tank. It will require you to be more active in parameter checking and water changes tho. Smaller tanks uaually have nitrate and ammonia levels rise quickly. You will find all the info you need on this site.

[oldmustard]

Where are you located?

[zackmoitoso]

Do you or anyone else on here know of any discount tank sites or anything similar? I am looking for a larger tank/stand, but dont want to pay an arm and a leg.

[zackmoitoso]

Edwards AFB Ca

[oldmustard]

I would monitor Craigslist. Tanks can be hit or miss but might be luckier with stands and often cheap as diy route.

[zackmoitoso]

I plan on keeping a very close eye on craigslist. Also, as I said, I am very new to SW tanks. What would be a list of things I would need to maintain live rock, coral, and two clown fish. Im trying to go no sump.

[oldmustard]

If you're looking around 25g keep your eye out for biocubes as an option. Mostly self contained to keep a few small fish and lps corals. Can also be modded slightly.

[oldmustard]

Sorry re-read that you already have tank...

[Macimage]

There are sticky threads posted at the top of all the forums that will help you.

There are many good online vendors but here are a few:

I buy salt for $48.99 here (be sure to add something to bring the total to $49.00 for the free shipping):

http://www.petsolutions.com/C/Aquari...-Crystals.aspx

Excellent livestock and guarantee here:

http://www.liveaquaria.com/

General stuff:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/

Definitely watch craigslist for someone getting out of the hobby. If you do end up purchasing another setup (rather than using your 25 gallon tank) I would definitely recommend a sump. It's easier to hide heaters, put in your skimmer, put extra live rock for more filtration and the larger water volume is a plus. You may be able to use your 25 as a sump depending on what size you find.

I started with a sumpless tank in 2001.

To start I would recommend a very good skimmer, a heater (or two if you end up with a larger used tank), lights, vortech pump for every day in tank circulation which also has power backup when electricity fails, live rock and live sand.

Two small heaters are recommended in larger tanks rather than one large one as heaters will often fail in the off position and with two smaller tanks you will not cook your tank. The lights will depend on whether you want a fish only tank or fish and corals.

Be sure to check out the Southern Calif. reefers section of RC:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=50

There are several posters from the Antelope Valley and one from Edwards as I recall.

Thank you for your service!

Joyce

[zackmoitoso]

Thank you for all of the helpful info

[zackmoitoso]

Would it be a good idea to not worry about a sump with a 36g tank?

[reepher315]

Sumps arent "needed" but are a great place to keep your heaters, skimmers and such. I would personally look into one you wouldnt regret it.

[zackmoitoso]

are there any attachements to create an overflow for a glass tank? I dont have acryllic