Happy wife happy life, right?

CajunRich · 07/11/2013, 11:15 AM

Hey guys,

New guy in town. I have been in fresh water tanks over 10 years now. Recently my 150 gallon started leaking. It is being replace by Perfecto and Petsmart. Most all of my angels died trying to live in their temp home

while waiting for them to find another tank close to me.

So we are starting over with something new and my wife keep screaming live your dream and get your salt going while the tank is new and fresh. I am scared and worried about doing this because it brings the unknow in to my hobbie.

My current set up is a 150 gallon tall with proclear sump for a 200 gallon tank. I have a 4 bar t5 light set up already. May get into building a LED light bar in the future. To my understanding I will need a protein skimmer as well. Can anyone give me guidance one a quality skimmer? What else do I need to get started? I have sand for it now from the previous set up and marine rock that I purchased several years ago when I found it on sale at LFS. I want to take this build slow and do it right the first time. I also started a DIY background with PVC pipe and pond foam that I was going to use this for what I was going to call a home for chiclids but she is protesting and wants it salty! I can always zip tie and foam coral to it make shelves for frags to get them closer to the light. I want to keep this build simple and clean as possible. I am not afraid of DIY and am having a blast making the background. We are located in south Florida. Any help and guidance is welcome. I have been lurking for a while now and learned a little.

Twistofer · 07/11/2013, 11:28 AM

First things first... the answers are "Yes, Dear," "You're right," and "I'm sorry." All with the proper intonation, etc.

Now, IMHO, Skimmers are very important...perhaps the most important piece of equipment so don't skimp. I'm currently using a Reef Octopus NSS1000 which is rated about 150 gal. I have a 75 gal tank. I think your skimmer should handle about 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 times the volume of your setup.

Otherwise it seems like you have the right idea.

Regarding a skimmer, you can PM me, I have a Bubble King 200 which I don't use and be willing to part with for the right price.

crsswift70 · 07/11/2013, 11:59 AM

You need to do a lot of reading. There is way too much to tell you about saltwater setups. From equipment to live rock to animals... loads of stuff! Are there any local reef clubs to you?

choirboy · 07/11/2013, 01:38 PM

Reading everything you have the energy for is a good way to get started. You can pick up a copy of The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Robert Fenner (guru of the marine ages) for $10 on ebay. Well written, comprehensive, easy to understand, and generally a fun read. It may be a little dated but you probably can't find a better resource to quickly "get you up to speed"

jcdeng · 07/11/2013, 03:07 PM

Hmmm, it feels more like your wife is actually more into saltwater than you are, which is a good thing. Do you want to do fish only or corals? This determines how much money and stress will be involved for you.

CajunRich · 07/11/2013, 04:05 PM

I dig it a lot and enjoy good tank more than TV and most people I know... I just fear investing the amount of money in these things and one mistake and its history.

CoralReeForrest · 07/11/2013, 04:25 PM

Best thing to do is read read and read some more, start with the stickys at the top of this section, then read all of Sk8tr's blog posts, then read them all again. Saltwater is truly a totally different ball game from fresh water. Start with setting up your tank and getting the cycle going then spend the time waiting (4-6) weeks Doing lots of research! Also, welcome to RC!!!

Sk8r · 07/11/2013, 04:42 PM

skimmer should be modest with lps or softie reef: too much is not good; high quality skimmer needed with fish-only and sps.

CajunRich · 07/11/2013, 04:55 PM

I like softie reefs a lot. I love the move and sway in a current.

Sn8kbyt · 07/11/2013, 10:34 PM

Cajun,

I was a die hard chiclids hobbyist for almost 20 years. I had 20 tanks at one point and a large breeding setup. I knew nothing about saltwater but after a job change I sold most of my stuff and only kept one tank with the intent of starting one. I spent 6 months reading everything I possibly could and pulled info from all the experience on the forums to start planning my build. I moved across the US about 6 months ago and put that plan into action. My tank has now been running for about 5 months and my only regret is that I would have started one many years ago...what an addicting hobby that keeps you involved almost everyday!

ravencsr · 07/12/2013, 01:04 AM

wish I had a wife willing to live my dream

07/11/2013, 11:15 AM	#1
CajunRich Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 3	Happy wife happy life, right? Hey guys, New guy in town. I have been in fresh water tanks over 10 years now. Recently my 150 gallon started leaking. It is being replace by Perfecto and Petsmart. Most all of my angels died trying to live in their temp home while waiting for them to find another tank close to me. So we are starting over with something new and my wife keep screaming live your dream and get your salt going while the tank is new and fresh. I am scared and worried about doing this because it brings the unknow in to my hobbie. My current set up is a 150 gallon tall with proclear sump for a 200 gallon tank. I have a 4 bar t5 light set up already. May get into building a LED light bar in the future. To my understanding I will need a protein skimmer as well. Can anyone give me guidance one a quality skimmer? What else do I need to get started? I have sand for it now from the previous set up and marine rock that I purchased several years ago when I found it on sale at LFS. I want to take this build slow and do it right the first time. I also started a DIY background with PVC pipe and pond foam that I was going to use this for what I was going to call a home for chiclids but she is protesting and wants it salty! I can always zip tie and foam coral to it make shelves for frags to get them closer to the light. I want to keep this build simple and clean as possible. I am not afraid of DIY and am having a blast making the background. We are located in south Florida. Any help and guidance is welcome. I have been lurking for a while now and learned a little.

07/11/2013, 11:28 AM	#2
Twistofer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Montana Posts: 371	First things first... the answers are "Yes, Dear," "You're right," and "I'm sorry." All with the proper intonation, etc. Now, IMHO, Skimmers are very important...perhaps the most important piece of equipment so don't skimp. I'm currently using a Reef Octopus NSS1000 which is rated about 150 gal. I have a 75 gal tank. I think your skimmer should handle about 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 times the volume of your setup. Otherwise it seems like you have the right idea. Regarding a skimmer, you can PM me, I have a Bubble King 200 which I don't use and be willing to part with for the right price. __________________ See what is; See what is not; Find the True Way ...The Buddha Current Tank Info: 120 gal New Build Coming Soon

07/11/2013, 04:42 PM	#8
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	skimmer should be modest with lps or softie reef: too much is not good; high quality skimmer needed with fish-only and sps. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

07/11/2013, 11:59 AM	#3
crsswift70 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Spanish Fort, AL Posts: 1,032	You need to do a lot of reading. There is way too much to tell you about saltwater setups. From equipment to live rock to animals... loads of stuff! Are there any local reef clubs to you?

07/11/2013, 01:38 PM	#4
choirboy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Virginia Posts: 74	Reading everything you have the energy for is a good way to get started. You can pick up a copy of The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Robert Fenner (guru of the marine ages) for $10 on ebay. Well written, comprehensive, easy to understand, and generally a fun read. It may be a little dated but you probably can't find a better resource to quickly "get you up to speed"

07/11/2013, 03:07 PM	#5
jcdeng Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: NYC Posts: 208	Hmmm, it feels more like your wife is actually more into saltwater than you are, which is a good thing. Do you want to do fish only or corals? This determines how much money and stress will be involved for you.

07/11/2013, 04:05 PM	#6
CajunRich Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 3	I dig it a lot and enjoy good tank more than TV and most people I know... I just fear investing the amount of money in these things and one mistake and its history.

07/11/2013, 04:25 PM	#7
CoralReeForrest Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Redding,Ca Posts: 1,010	Best thing to do is read read and read some more, start with the stickys at the top of this section, then read all of Sk8tr's blog posts, then read them all again. Saltwater is truly a totally different ball game from fresh water. Start with setting up your tank and getting the cycle going then spend the time waiting (4-6) weeks Doing lots of research! Also, welcome to RC!!!

07/11/2013, 04:55 PM	#9
CajunRich Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 3	I like softie reefs a lot. I love the move and sway in a current.

07/11/2013, 10:34 PM	#10
Sn8kbyt Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Manitowoc, WI Posts: 607	Cajun, I was a die hard chiclids hobbyist for almost 20 years. I had 20 tanks at one point and a large breeding setup. I knew nothing about saltwater but after a job change I sold most of my stuff and only kept one tank with the intent of starting one. I spent 6 months reading everything I possibly could and pulled info from all the experience on the forums to start planning my build. I moved across the US about 6 months ago and put that plan into action. My tank has now been running for about 5 months and my only regret is that I would have started one many years ago...what an addicting hobby that keeps you involved almost everyday!

07/12/2013, 01:04 AM	#11
ravencsr Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 9	wish I had a wife willing to live my dream