Thedude657 Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 I just started reading up on saltwater tanks and its overwhelming!!! I would love it if somebody could give me advice on how to get started or some good books or even mentor me on this stuff would be great. Im looking at buying a 75g and a starting a reef. I know its not recommended for a beginner but I wont be happy with a fish only tank if that makes sense. -Jim- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emerald525 Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 I think it's fine to start a reef for a beginner just doing what you are doing is key which is reading first. Also be aware there are many opinions in this hobby. I think a good starter book is The New Marine Aquarium by Paletta its' basic information and easy to read. Some of the information is outdated in that canister filters are not used as much now. A 75 gallon tank is a good start. You can usually find people breaking down their systems and can get a really good deal on here. The people in this forum are also a great resource too. Don't be afraid to post up your pictures. Some of the people on here have been doing this for 20 + years. Welcome to the club! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nhowe Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Welcome. Here is a website to check out listed at the below. I don't really buy anything from them. Their prices are a little high and I like to do business with local shops. But they do a good job putting reef and non-reef into different sections. They also have a lot of info on types of coral and lighting conditions for each type. Also check out the classified forum somebody here may have some books for sale or even free. liveaquaria.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitchell Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Welcome! A book that really helped me was Bob Fenner's The Conscientious Marine Aquarist. Feel free to ask questions on here, lots of people will help. It sounds like you already have a good start by joining this forum and reading books. Link to the book: http://www.amazon.com/Conscientious-Marine-Aquarist-Commonsense-Professional/dp/1890087998/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1/189-3337612-5329014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedude657 Posted May 23, 2011 Author Share Posted May 23, 2011 wow Ive never gotten replies this fast on any forum. Thanks guys Im looking forward to the adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finch6013 Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Welcome to the forum. Please post any questions you have, even if it's a simple little thing you just aren't sure about. We all learn from each other and quite a few of us really enjoy helping out beginners, myself included. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigjohnwoody Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 The people on this forum seem to really care about it's members so you will get fast responses. Emerald525 and Mitchell both recommended great books. I read both of them cover to cover more than once. The biggest thing I would say which you seem to be doing already which is good is research. Do a ton of research! You can never know too much in this hobby. Plus research will save you a lot of time and money. I also went to a lot of reef sites and read all the stickies. This is where you get a lot of good info not just opinions of people at may or may not know what they are talking about. I myself never had a tank of any kind and did over 2 years of research before I finally set up my 120 full reef system. I can tell you it is full of coral of every kind and everything is doing very well. Just take your time buy used equipment when you can to save money and don't forget the research. Lol. Don't be afraid to ever ask questions, as dumb as you may think they are, because every one of us have been in the same position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nancymacc Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Hey there neighbor, Renton WA here! Not too many people up our way on this forum but I find it The Best Group I have ever had the pleasure to interact with. We have some awesome resources in our area, my fav and a sponsor here is Barrier Reef Aquarium here in Renton, their staff are very knowledgeable and they will do their best not to let you do anything stupid LOL. Easy drive from Auburn, they are right at exit 7 on the 405. I am new to the hobby as well, less than 6 months. I read, research and read some more. I have asked a number of questions here on the forum and they are answered so fast! Welcome to the hobby and the forums!! Nancy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefnjunkie Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Welcome to the site-You will always remeber 2011 as the year you got bit by the infectious reef bug-(laugh) You've been warned Welcome again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nancymacc Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 I wanted to say keep an eye on Craigslist here in the Seattle area, there are always some great tank deals. Both of my current tanks 50g acrylic with build in overflow and sump ($125), stand and a bunch of great stuff, and the 75g Oceanic half round (currently in storage) with a nice stand and a few accessories ($200) were CL finds. I have gotten some nice corals and things too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Welcome to the site! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedude657 Posted May 23, 2011 Author Share Posted May 23, 2011 Should I look for a tank with an overflow? and what exactly is that for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nancymacc Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 I started with 35gallon that did not have a built in overflow. I did not start with a sump. I had all manner of crap hanging off the back of the tank and I hated the look and noise of it. I also dealt with a lot of salt creep and spray. Now with the internal overflow and a sump all the plumbing, skimmer and such are down low inside the stand. It is much quieter and more visually appealing to me. But that is just my opinion. You can purchase and overflow box that hangs on the back of the tank if you want to use a sump and don't have a built in one, but in my opinion, I would look for a tank that has one built in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedude657 Posted May 23, 2011 Author Share Posted May 23, 2011 cool cool. I have read about the sumps and would like to go with that setup but have no idea how to set that all up lol. Im gonna have to take this one step at a time and start with a tank and stand lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smann Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Welcome! Do some reading on some sites, especially Tank Threads you can get a lot of info and pictures of what others are building! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.R Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Welcome to the forum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topher Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 welcome to the forum and the hobby! as many other have said, ask questions and research.. not everyone here will give the same answer but that is how we learn! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobkat330 Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 welcome to the site you might want to get out and see some setup inperson before you choice witch way work for you, reading is good but seeing it and talking to the person on what pros and cons to each setup you will then decide what you want. remember not to rush it, we all have flooded our places at least one and kick are **** for doing somthing wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drew Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Welcome to the site Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nancymacc Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 welcome to the site you might want to get out and see some setup inperson before you choice witch way work for you' date=' reading is good but seeing it and talking to the person on what pros and cons to each setup you will then decide what you want. remember not to rush it, we all have flooded our places at least one and kick are **** for doing somthing wrong.[/quote'] Just this weekend I turned on the water for my RO/DI system (i have a diverter on my shower head), I had disconnected it from the filter and the tubing went swinging around with water going EVERYWHERE, i kept trying to catch the tubing....then realized turning off the water would be a bit easier.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedude657 Posted May 23, 2011 Author Share Posted May 23, 2011 Thanks everyone for your help so far. It makes it so much easier knowing there are people to give me a hand and I dont have to figure all this out lol. Still looking for a reef tank setup in the classifieds and craigslist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrybeck Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 I'm also up in the Seattle area - Poulsbo - and second the comment that this is one of the best communities I've found. Very informative, knowledgeable and always willing to help. Enough so that not only do I make this one of my daily forum reads, but have also gone down to the Portland area multiple times now for purchases and to visit their LFS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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