new member

slyforestfire · Oct 17, 2012

hello all. just joined this community. think im gonna like it here. so this is the deal. i have several large freshwater tanks, and frankly im getting kinda bored with them. all are well established and fully stocked. they are great but looing for a new challenge since they require minimal effort. i have just purchased a used 39 gal bowfront and stand. considering making it saltwater, which is why im here. all the research i have done makes it seem like a very expensive daunting task. is this really the case? i initially wanted to do a coral tank but most articles i read claimed i would be spending at least a grand, maybe more. not as keen on a live rock/fish only tank. whats the point of keeping clown fish etc... if their not in natural surroundings, swimming through anamones. than theres also things like premixing saltwater a day in advance that are bothering me. i dont have room for that many buckets of saltwater sitting around curing. any and all input would be greatly appreciated, thanks everyone.

SeahorseKeeper · Oct 17, 2012

Hi, welcome to r2r!!! Setting up a saltwater tank is more expensive and it is important to do things right from the start. This way it does not cost you down the road (upgrading equipment or in livestock losses). The best thing I have found is to give myself a budget and start off with getting the right equipment. I would start with a tank with fish and rock to get started. This way the tank can mature and then you can start by adding easy to care for corals. Then as you get more comfortable, you can upgrade your lighting and do more advanced corals. I love seeing all the diversity in my tanks. That is why I have taken up this hobby. It is recommended to mix the water for 24 hours before doing a water change. I have very little space in my apartment. I have a rubbermaid tub that is my mixing station and I store it in a closet in between water changes. This is what works for me.

Saltlife · Oct 17, 2012

Welcome to R2R and good luck.

Pkunk35 · Oct 17, 2012

+1 to everything Krista said, starting with the right equipment is really important as is a budget (which you will exceed plenty of times i'm sure

).

But I'd also like to say that not all tanks have to expensive...there's a million ways to do everything in this hobby so being creative really helps and since you have a background with freshwater, the conversion process will be easier.

Buy a good saltwater book (Conscientious Marine Aquarist by bob fenner) as a primer to give yourself a starting point. Find deals online or on craigslist for used equipment and used live rock (you won't believe what can be had for free or cheap if you look...my friend received a 150 gallon tank and stand and lighting for less than $400 and 100% of the livestock from a 75 gallon for free on craigslist). Know your budget and time constraints and i think you can get by in the beginning for relatively low cost.

Good planning can stretch your budget a lot...I'd begin to read here on R2R and other places for ideas and information. If you like freshwater tanks i'm sure you will love saltwater tanks.

PM me if you need any other help, would be glad to and GL!

ToXIc · Oct 17, 2012

welcome.. starting that small isnt that bad compared to a larger tank.. i say go ahead and if you decide this isnt for you. you wont have invested that much..

AsphaltPays · Oct 17, 2012

Hello and Welcome to R2R,,Good luck in your new adventure you can find good quality equipment used to start with and see if it is for you there are many salts out there that you can almost do an instant water change with