14 year old wanting to start a tank!

[jamesmyers14]

Hey, I used to have a 20 long saltwater tank never was successful I never did it right been like 2 years since I've had a aquarium. I want to start a new one something small that will be very easy to manage low cost and everything done right. I've only got like 200$ for this it needs to be very easy maintenece and be able to be successful. I have lighting already that should work it's the marinelnd led it's big but can be fitted onto a 10 gallon it's bright and is led. But I've watched videos on saltwater tanks and done research. I just need a setup that's very easy maintenece no real mess and not very expensive.

 

[Mike in CT]

Hi! Do you know what of tank you want to keep?? Fish only? Or do you want keep corals too?

 

[jamesmyers14]

Hi! Do you know what of tank you want to keep?? Fish only? Or do you want keep corals too?

I'd be happy with just the Beuty of fish but if I could support corals that wouldn't need much that be awesome to

 

[miamiangler]

10gal is a little small to start with . I think Petco still has Tanks a $1 gal sale . I would get a 29 gal or the 40 breeder to start with , much easier to handle then a 10 gal . I started with a 20 gal long time ago .ended up with a 55gal back in the 70`s . Good luck with your project .

 

[jamesmyers14]

10gal is a little small to start with . I think Petco still has a $1 gal sale . I would get a 29 gal or the 40 breeder to start with , much easier to handle then a 10 gal . I started with a 20 gal long time ago .ended up with a 55gal back in the 70`s . Good luck with your project .

I've actually got a old 29 gallon

 

[miamiangler]

Would be better , I have one with fish and mixed corals ,which does well using kalkwasser in the ATO

 

[jamesmyers14]

Would be better , I have one with fish and mixed corals ,which does well using kalkwasser in the ATO

Yah id want a ato so that would help with maintenece

 

[miamiangler]

Start slow , it takes a while to set up and cycle anyway , go basics first , I like the BRS vid`s on U-tube

 

[Mike in CT]

I would stick with just fish first. After a while when you get the hang of keeping your parameters steady you can add a couple easy corals and see how it goes. Do you think you would have a sump? (Not absolutely needed, but will determine your set up)

 

[jamesmyers14]

I would stick with just fish first. After a while when you get the hang of keeping your parameters steady you can add a couple easy corals and see how it goes. Do you think you would have a sump? (Not absolutely needed, but will determine your set up)

I looked at it on YouTube and it just looks very expensive but I would do one if I could within my price

 

[Mike in CT]

And whatever you add to your tank...research research research, then ask on here... Lol
Some fish nice and cute but become monsters or will eat coral.

 

[jamesmyers14]

And whatever you add to your tank...research research research, then ask on here... Lol
Some fish nice and cute but become monsters or will eat coral.

Ha and yah I'll do research

 

[Mike in CT]

You don't need a sump, your next tank can have one... Lol

 

[jamesmyers14]

You don't need a sump, your next tank can have one... Lol

yah they seem pretty hard to do

 

[Waters]

yah they seem pretty hard to do

Definitely not harder (actually makes reef keeping easier imo) but it does add extra expenses and the need for additional space.

 

[nanolax]

Unfortunately 200 dollars doesn't do as much as we'd all like it to do in this hobby... I'd agree with the others. Start a FO tank first. It's low maintenance, and there's no requirement for high ticket items like live rock, powerful lighting, etc. Good Luck!

 

[beaslbob]

IMHO the simplist way is to start the tank with macro algaes behind a partition (egg crate, 1/4" square grid lighting diffuser for dropped ceilings).
Gt the macro (chaetomorphia is a good one) growing between the partition an glass.
Then do the rest.
You can use play sand and rocks (like lava rocks) from building supply stores.
A week after first setup add a single small male molly.
Wait on week with no food being added.
Then try 1 or 2 female mollies. and start feeding a single flake per day.
At that point the tank should be set up and ready for marine only fish.
my .02