complete newbie...what do i need to start?

liamohara · 02/12/2006, 11:33 PM

i am a complete newbie to the marine aquarium but i want to staat a 100gal set up...thing i si dont have a clue where to start or waht equipment i need????
help greatly appreciated

mg426 · 02/12/2006, 11:39 PM

the best place to start is right here asking questions Lots of them.Also read, read, read some more. Get an understanding of the nitrogen cycle. Then get an understanding of the Ph calcium alkalinity issue. Think about your setup how to make things easy, like water changes, tank maintenance testing etc etc. Buy the best equip. you can afford. If you cant get the good stuff I say wait till you can. Be patient and go slowly and keep asking lots and lots of questions !!!

Konadog · 02/12/2006, 11:39 PM

liamohara,

To Reef Central

You've come to the right place!

Here's a good start on what you may want, So, you want to start a Marine tankÃ¢â‚¬Â¦ Also, look up anything written by Waterkeeper for some fun reading.

Remember, have fun and ask questions.

kau_cinta_ku · 02/12/2006, 11:49 PM

To Reef Central

i agree if you never had a reef tank yet then first off i would start of by reading as much as you can. also on equipment don't skimp on some stuff as lights, protein skimmer, and such. here are some good articals to start reading to get you started. good luck.
So you got a new fish tank Newbie
Filter this Through that Thick Skull of Your's-Newbie!!
Quarantine 101
Alright Newbie; Let's shed some light on this subject.
Hey you dumb Newbies!!!!
Reef Aquarium Water Parameters

hope these help and ask questions if your confused on anything

mcox33 · 02/12/2006, 11:53 PM

Make sure you get a Reef Ready Tank. They are drilled and have built in overflows.

mpomfret · 02/12/2006, 11:54 PM

My wife gave me a copy of Saltwater Aquariums for Dummies. I thought it was well organized and well written. Not a lot of in depth stuff, but seems to give enough info to start with. If nothing else, you'll get some ideas on what to ask about.

Matt

jdieck · 02/12/2006, 11:55 PM

Also get one or two books on the subject, My preferred one which have info for starters but not os basic that you outgrow them fast is "The reef aquarium" Volume 3 from Delbek and Sprung.

dchao · 02/12/2006, 11:56 PM

Decide what you want in the tank first. And then work out the equipment list.

There are many online stores that have a comprehensive list of fish and corals, have a look at them, see which one you like. Go to the member's gallery on RC and ask member questions

- you can send them private messages too.

This is a good one: LiveAquaria.com

chocolateblnt · 02/13/2006, 01:03 AM

Read a few articles by WaterKeeper ... that'll bring you up to speed

ElectronRider · 02/13/2006, 04:30 AM

Read Read Read. Decide what kind of tank you want to set up ( there are differences based on what you want to grow in the tank), then make an equipment list, then let the money pit begin!

Joshthenosh · 02/13/2006, 05:14 AM

knowledge patience and cash is what you need, d rember one very important thing, not eveyone whos works in a fish shop knowd s everything, if your nut sure about buying somthign dont, asjk here first, i wasted loads of money on useless junk!

WaterKeeper · 02/13/2006, 11:08 AM

Yes, but just think about the poor souls that have wasted countless hours reading my junk.

I hope that Dummies book has been edited as it did have such gems as "Live rock, bought dry at the local fish store". As the main reason to have LR was to "look cool" to other reefers.

BenH98 · 02/13/2006, 11:16 AM

Another website with lots of good info is www.wetwebmedia.com

The lights that you get will decide what you can have in your tank... If you want the hard (SPS) corals, then you will need more light than if you just wanted to keep zoanthoids... If you want anenomes - you need more light. The list can go on...

thedog · 02/13/2006, 11:54 AM

MONEY

Palancar · 02/13/2006, 12:00 PM

Once you've done the research and formulated a plan, post your plan here for comment before buying anything. I wish I had done that. I've basically redone my setup twice over not knowing any better in the beginning costing me lots of wasted $. Good luck!

liamohara · 02/16/2006, 01:37 AM

ok well so far i have read through the posts and ALL the links (it was a long night).
I have decided to run a 10gal sump
i have also just been informed that i am able to get Glass through a client at my fathers work cut to any size i desire but am not sure of the dimentions or the desing of the tank.(if anyone can help and provide plans/pictures and advice this would be great)
what glass thickness will i need to construct a 4" by 2" by 2"

i want to start with a marginal reef tank so i need advice on lighting, filters ect. i would like to know generaly what the usual set up is for a tank of this size.

i want desperatly to have a decent sized anemone and some clown fish to

liamohara · 02/16/2006, 01:39 AM

also anyone know of any good places where i can order equipment, live rock, ectoff the net and have it sent to me in australia?

02/12/2006, 11:33 PM	#1
liamohara Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: perth, western australia Posts: 7	complete newbie...what do i need to start? i am a complete newbie to the marine aquarium but i want to staat a 100gal set up...thing i si dont have a clue where to start or waht equipment i need???? help greatly appreciated

02/12/2006, 11:39 PM	#2
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	the best place to start is right here asking questions Lots of them.Also read, read, read some more. Get an understanding of the nitrogen cycle. Then get an understanding of the Ph calcium alkalinity issue. Think about your setup how to make things easy, like water changes, tank maintenance testing etc etc. Buy the best equip. you can afford. If you cant get the good stuff I say wait till you can. Be patient and go slowly and keep asking lots and lots of questions !!! __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

02/12/2006, 11:39 PM	#3
Konadog Master of the 16 hour day Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: East Long Beach, So Cal Posts: 13,151 Blog Entries: 4	liamohara, *To Reef Central* You've come to the right place! Here's a good start on what you may want, So, you want to start a Marine tankÃ¢â‚¬Â¦ Also, look up anything written by Waterkeeper for some fun reading. Remember, have fun and ask questions. __________________ Save the Reefs................................................................Save the world! -Ken Current Tank Info: Currently tankless, and loving it!

02/12/2006, 11:53 PM	#5
mcox33 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Nitro, West Virginia Posts: 2,261	Make sure you get a Reef Ready Tank. They are drilled and have built in overflows. __________________ Mary Current Tank Info: 90 Saltwater Reef, 2 x 400 watt MH, 4 x 65 watt PC, 1 x 24 watt 48" T-5 + 4 blue led's, Dual chamber MRC Calcium Reactor, Huge DIY Kalkwasser reactor (made by someone else) Auto Top Off and Aquatecture Plus Skimmer

02/12/2006, 11:55 PM	#7
jdieck Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Maumee, OH Posts: 15,673	Also get one or two books on the subject, My preferred one which have info for starters but not os basic that you outgrow them fast is "The reef aquarium" Volume 3 from Delbek and Sprung. __________________ Did I write what I wrote? What the heck am I talking about! Well..... Nevermind. Current Tank Info: 225 gal reef, DSB, 40 g sump w/ LRT100 return, 37 g pre-sump, 3 MH 250 W 15K, 4 96 W PC dual actinic,ETS 1500 Skim.w/LRT70, 20 lb Ca R., 40 W UV, 1/3 HP chiller, two 350 W Htrs, Neptune II Cont., 330 P LR/ 330 P LS. 55 gal Refugium

02/12/2006, 11:49 PM	#4
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	*To Reef Central* i agree if you never had a reef tank yet then first off i would start of by reading as much as you can. also on equipment don't skimp on some stuff as lights, protein skimmer, and such. here are some good articals to start reading to get you started. good luck. So you got a new fish tank Newbie Filter this Through that Thick Skull of Your's-Newbie!! Quarantine 101 Alright Newbie; Let's shed some light on this subject. Hey you dumb Newbies!!!! Reef Aquarium Water Parameters hope these help and ask questions if your confused on anything

02/12/2006, 11:54 PM	#6
mpomfret Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 94	My wife gave me a copy of Saltwater Aquariums for Dummies. I thought it was well organized and well written. Not a lot of in depth stuff, but seems to give enough info to start with. If nothing else, you'll get some ideas on what to ask about. Matt

02/12/2006, 11:56 PM	#8
dchao Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: San Francisco Posts: 910	Decide what you want in the tank first. And then work out the equipment list. There are many online stores that have a comprehensive list of fish and corals, have a look at them, see which one you like. Go to the member's gallery on RC and ask member questions - you can send them private messages too. This is a good one: LiveAquaria.com

02/13/2006, 01:03 AM	#9
chocolateblnt Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sunnyvale, Nor*CAL Posts: 1,736	Read a few articles by WaterKeeper ... that'll bring you up to speed

02/13/2006, 04:30 AM	#10
ElectronRider Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lafayette,In USA Posts: 56	Read Read Read. Decide what kind of tank you want to set up ( there are differences based on what you want to grow in the tank), then make an equipment list, then let the money pit begin!

02/13/2006, 05:14 AM	#11
Joshthenosh Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 188	knowledge patience and cash is what you need, d rember one very important thing, not eveyone whos works in a fish shop knowd s everything, if your nut sure about buying somthign dont, asjk here first, i wasted loads of money on useless junk!

02/13/2006, 11:08 AM	#12
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Yes, but just think about the poor souls that have wasted countless hours reading my junk. I hope that Dummies book has been edited as it did have such gems as "Live rock, bought dry at the local fish store". As the main reason to have LR was to "look cool" to other reefers. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

02/13/2006, 11:16 AM	#13
BenH98 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 515	Another website with lots of good info is www.wetwebmedia.com The lights that you get will decide what you can have in your tank... If you want the hard (SPS) corals, then you will need more light than if you just wanted to keep zoanthoids... If you want anenomes - you need more light. The list can go on... __________________ Go KINGS!!! Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon

02/13/2006, 11:54 AM	#14
thedog Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: hickory, nc Posts: 128	MONEY

02/13/2006, 12:00 PM	#15
Palancar Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bloomsbury, NJ Posts: 165	Once you've done the research and formulated a plan, post your plan here for comment before buying anything. I wish I had done that. I've basically redone my setup twice over not knowing any better in the beginning costing me lots of wasted $. Good luck!

02/16/2006, 01:37 AM	#16
liamohara Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: perth, western australia Posts: 7	ok well so far i have read through the posts and ALL the links (it was a long night). I have decided to run a 10gal sump i have also just been informed that i am able to get Glass through a client at my fathers work cut to any size i desire but am not sure of the dimentions or the desing of the tank.(if anyone can help and provide plans/pictures and advice this would be great) what glass thickness will i need to construct a 4" by 2" by 2" i want to start with a marginal reef tank so i need advice on lighting, filters ect. i would like to know generaly what the usual set up is for a tank of this size. i want desperatly to have a decent sized anemone and some clown fish to Last edited by liamohara; 02/16/2006 at 02:22 AM.

02/16/2006, 01:39 AM	#17
liamohara Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: perth, western australia Posts: 7	also anyone know of any good places where i can order equipment, live rock, ectoff the net and have it sent to me in australia?