Newbie from Miami, Florida

[djsuperman]

Hey everyone,
Just found this forum looking fo info on how to start up a new saltwater aquarium. Ive had several freshwater tanks but rumors ive heard say that saltwater tanks are much harder to maintain. I am doing my research and would like to have a reef tank with only a couple of fish. Thinking of having a 45- 60 gallon tank. Basically my first questions are:

1. Can i just go to a petco, petsmart, ect and use one of those tanks or do i need a special tank?
2. When it comes to filtration, what do i need?
3. How much time should i cycle my tank before presenting anything (e.g. Live rock, fish,coral, anemone, ect)?
4. What am i looking at as far as starup costs?

I look forward to learning a lot here. Thanks

 

[Russellaqua]

Welcome! You can certainly use a regular tank for saltwater, but many people use "reef-ready" tanks with built-in overflows and use a sump as well. Start-up costs vary greatly depending on if you want a fish-only tank or a reef, and size of your tank. Feel free to ask all the questions you have. There are many knowledgeable and helpful people here. You're going about it the right way and researching first.


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[carlosh080]

Welcome to the forum. Im also nre to the forum and from miami florida.

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[AlexAquaFX]

Hey welcome to the fourm! As far as filtration of course I'm gonna recommend a RO/DI unit. Figure out your water pressure at the tap and go from there! Good luck and welcome to an awesome hobby.

 

[Mike&Terry]

Welcome to R2R djsuperman! You might want to consider joining your local reef club as it can be a great source for information as well as a way to meet fellow hobbyists in your area.

-M&T

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Hello and welcome to R2R!

We appreciate your membership!

Thanks for joining and please make sure and post often!

 

[AsphaltPays]

Hello and Welcome to R2R!


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[djsuperman]

done a little further research today and found i would like a wet/dry system and want to go L.E.D.. Startup costs so far (per quotes) have been between the 1000 and 1700 range. Is this about right? (btw this quote was for a 45 gallon cube reef ready tank, stand, sump, hatian rocks, 60 pounds of sand, AI Led light, SUP mag drive 5 water pump, and hanging kit for the LED.)

 

[REEFKEEPER10]

Welcome to R2R

 

[sarces]

Hello djsuperman welcome I'm also fairly new to the hobby as well as the forum but there is great info around my suggestions are if u decide for a reef be sure to think ahead about the corals u want and the fish, I saw u mention an anemone these creatures are in need of alot of light very strong MH the price could be infinite if u don't think before u set up, cycling could last up to 6 weeks average ( it did in my 75 anyways) and was a fish less cycle which I recommend so no creatures suffer in this process also invest in a test kit for the beginning u can get ammonia, nitrite and nitrate to test during your cycle the rest would be later when u get corals, and the most important advice that anyone could give u here is patients lots of it. And have fun !!!

 

[justgotwet]

Welcome to reef2reef. I hope you have fun with your tank and happy reeling!

 

[larangcon]

Welcome Bro, if you are going to do reef I would not use a wet and dry, it will only be a waste of money, there are new ways, I read here that this guy started with just the zeo method and his tank is awesome. Read and ask around, take your time...this hobby is all about time...

 

[djsuperman]

update: i have a possible 55 gallon tank with stand filter, ect that i might be getting on a trade. It was a prior saltwater tank. anything i need to be weary of? Its not going to cost me anything. I think its great cause i can invest in really good lighting and filtration. Any insight from all you seasoned folk would be greatly appreciated. BTW its only costing me an old DJ controller.

 

[fragmatic]

 

[sarces]

If u r gonna wash it do NOT put any soap in it, vinegar it's fine get it as clean as u can and don't scratch it

 

[djsuperman]

Still on the lookout for a tank (the deal fell through). Doin the craigslist shuffle.

 

[djsuperman]

ITEAMS FOR BARTER now asking $300. thoughts?

 

[revsgirl]

Hi there! Welcome to R2R and reefing!


Chasing the Dream Giver, not the dream! Tonya

 

[djsuperman]

Update: bought a biocube 29 from corallife and im on day 4 of the cycling. I tested today and got the following:
Ph-8.0
Ammonia-0.5
Nitrite-0
Nitrate- 10 ppm

I used cured live rock and fiji pink live sand. When should i introduce the CUC?Fish?Coral?