Ugh, Soooo confused

Jman521 · 02/13/2007, 10:22 PM

Hrmmm, ok sooooooo let me try this from a different angle haha. I had a saltwater setup that wasnt All that successful, but I didnt have it up for too long before I had a career change and had to move.
so, I had a the tank with a protein skimmer, LR, LS, a filter (hang on tank style) and had a JEBO lighting set that worked well I thought. the strange thing is that I never ran any tests on the water before I started dropping fish and cleaning crews into my tank and everything seemed to survive well. After I sold my tank and was preparing to move I gave the livestock to my good friend and he said they are all still alive and well 6 months later.....
Here's my question, I've been reading these threads for about 3 days now and I'm getting more and more confused about this whole thing haha. I want to do it right this time. I'm thinking about a 24-30G tank and would like to get a full setup, but need to know what equipment I'd need to get this tank started. I know there are several different kinds of methods so I'm still trying to figure this all out. Are there any threads that would tell me how to start from beginning to end, ie: Buying the tank , setting it up , water, sand, rock, testing, lighting , fish, coral etc......

fish 511 · 02/13/2007, 10:34 PM

http://reefcentral.com/modules.php?s...showpage&pid=1

This might help. Also, I would just read around here and maybe get a book or two

HTH

THB · 02/13/2007, 11:57 PM

The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Robert M Fenner is a really thorough overview. I read it as a newbie and still refer to it all along.

mnestroy · 02/14/2007, 02:56 PM

I agree this hobby can be very confusing, and sometimes the more you "know" the more complicated things tend to be...

Your previous tank may have been done right, but without knowing the science/facts behind your previous success it might be hard to do it again... The key is not to dump some salt water and fish in a tank and hope for the best... You want to take a few steps to ensure your fish will stand a good chance of surviving.

You may know this basic stuff, but if not, u'll definitely want to make sure you take things slow and let your tank cycle before you put any live fish in your tank... (yes you can by a damsel, and throw it in the tank right after you put water in, but its chances of living are poor)

Read up, and don't hesitate to ask questions.

SaltyDr · 02/14/2007, 03:16 PM

See Travis Stevens VERY long thread on how to start a marine aquarium. A very, very good place to start. It's in the New to Hobby section. Good luck.

02/13/2007, 10:22 PM	#1
Jman521 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, Ma Posts: 24	Ugh, Soooo confused Hrmmm, ok sooooooo let me try this from a different angle haha. I had a saltwater setup that wasnt All that successful, but I didnt have it up for too long before I had a career change and had to move. so, I had a the tank with a protein skimmer, LR, LS, a filter (hang on tank style) and had a JEBO lighting set that worked well I thought. the strange thing is that I never ran any tests on the water before I started dropping fish and cleaning crews into my tank and everything seemed to survive well. After I sold my tank and was preparing to move I gave the livestock to my good friend and he said they are all still alive and well 6 months later..... Here's my question, I've been reading these threads for about 3 days now and I'm getting more and more confused about this whole thing haha. I want to do it right this time. I'm thinking about a 24-30G tank and would like to get a full setup, but need to know what equipment I'd need to get this tank started. I know there are several different kinds of methods so I'm still trying to figure this all out. Are there any threads that would tell me how to start from beginning to end, ie: Buying the tank , setting it up , water, sand, rock, testing, lighting , fish, coral etc......

02/13/2007, 10:34 PM	#2
fish 511 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Huntington Beach, California Posts: 679	http://reefcentral.com/modules.php?s...showpage&pid=1 This might help. Also, I would just read around here and maybe get a book or two HTH

02/13/2007, 11:57 PM	#3
THB Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 143	The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Robert M Fenner is a really thorough overview. I read it as a newbie and still refer to it all along.

02/14/2007, 02:56 PM	#4
mnestroy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Aurora, IL Posts: 2,216	I agree this hobby can be very confusing, and sometimes the more you "know" the more complicated things tend to be... Your previous tank may have been done right, but without knowing the science/facts behind your previous success it might be hard to do it again... The key is not to dump some salt water and fish in a tank and hope for the best... You want to take a few steps to ensure your fish will stand a good chance of surviving. You may know this basic stuff, but if not, u'll definitely want to make sure you take things slow and let your tank cycle before you put any live fish in your tank... (yes you can by a damsel, and throw it in the tank right after you put water in, but its chances of living are poor) Read up, and don't hesitate to ask questions.

02/14/2007, 03:16 PM	#5
SaltyDr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southwest Florida Posts: 1,191	See Travis Stevens VERY long thread on how to start a marine aquarium. A very, very good place to start. It's in the New to Hobby section. Good luck.