Anyone have an aquarium?
While I was on vacation last week I saw a salt water "reef" aquarium. Honestly, I think I could have stared at it for hours without getting bored.
Anyways, I'm thinking about getting into the hobby. Does anyone here know of any good reference sites for information?
***Edit: stupid auto censor***
Anyways, I'm thinking about getting into the hobby. Does anyone here know of any good reference sites for information?
***Edit: stupid auto censor***
0
-
If you will write "salt water" as TWO WORDS, not one word, it will not get boogered up in the bad word filter. 0 -
Thanks to everyone who responded, its always nice to get some different perspectives.....
Anyways, after more consideration, I've decided to hold off on setting up a tank. Right now my main hobby is shooting and with the war on, ammo is getting expensive. I'm also moving into an apartment which is close to a nice lake and gorge, so I'm going to buy a used kayak.
Between a kayak and keeping myself stocked up on ammo I don't think I can afford another hobby, particularly one as expensive as this.
In a few years, I'll be through Grad school and Brandy will be through her nursing school....I should have more than enough money to jump into this hobby and do it right.
Again, thanks for the help!0 -
quote:Honestly, I think I could have stared at it for hours without getting bored.
Good to see your hooked![:D] Not a salt water guy but the basics are the same. Get the tank established, then get the expensive fish. I breed super fancys for $$. Bad water= Dead fish0 -
Maybe just have a long hoose down to the ocean and then a small waterpump and a filter ? 0 -
I've been thinking some bout trying these
http://www.aka.org/aka/modules/content/index.php?id=70 -
A year and a half later.....still not one damned bit closer to getting that Salt Water tank [V]
Maybe in the new year....0 -
I have a 125 gallon, 75 gallon, 55 gallon, 38? gallon, and a 10 gallon.
Two Oscars, Green Devil, Firehorn, Jack Dempsey, 5 Jewel cichlids, breeding pair of Red Devils, 1 blue african cichlid of some sort, breeding pair of Convicts, and numerous pairs of Guppies which provide me with feeder fish.
Don't listen to pet stores, they don't know what they are talking about. Beware alot of the fish sites are tree huggers and liberal wackos, but they give good advice and give much better advice usually compared to fish stores.
Watch for deals on craigslist. I got all my tanks for less then $200.0 -
Back in the day I had Reef systems in the "modified" Jaubert Plenum method (50 gallon tall and 125 gallon). The Jaubert method was pretty new and it was revolutionary.
I started off with the 50 using live rock to cycle the tank then ordered a few pounds of G.A.R.F. Grunge. This was on top of the modified Jaubert plenum (4-5 inches of crushed aragonite). Then modified a Skilter 2000 to surface skim the water (didn't turn it on for several weeks since there wasn't anything for it to skim). Ran Power Compacts for the lighting.
I think I was happiest with the 50 but I got such a great deal on the 125 I did the same to it. Filling it with live rock was expensive the cost was offset by selling the 50 (critters and all). The 125 had a sump with Turboflotor 1000.
I'd read alot and figure out what your comitment level is. Just so you know I sold most of the live rock (like 100+ pounds), all the live stock and went back to fresh water (Tanganyikan Cichlids). It was fun while it lasted (15 years or so) but low maintanace is very nice[;)].0 -
I have a 130 gallon that I had custom build years back, when I had money. It's been empty now for quite some time. 0 -
I have a 125G freshwater, and am building a 125G salWar on Terrorer with a 55G refugium. I've built my stand and now wish I would have built it and used the other 125G tank as the fugi for a larger water colom. Several good sites with info available, salWar on Terrorerfish.com, reefcentral.com, reefbuilders.com to name a few. Don't rush the hobby and you'll be fine, too often people want it to look like what they saw at the store and introduce the system to to much to fast and everything dies. 0 -
Rack,.....I know this is an old thread an you have done nothing to date.
My advice is wait! For many years![:0]
I wanted to do the same thing a few years ago, and after weeks of reading, I quickly saw that a salt water tank is a part-time job, as well as a money pit.
From what I gathered, you are looking at about 2 to 3K to get a decent sized one up and running.
I decided to pass for now,......maybe when I am retired![8D]0 -
I have a 30 gallon freshwater aquarium with 3 fish. A catfish, a shark, and an algae eater. They live for years with very little care. All other fish I've tried require too much work, and the result of even minor neglect is floating fish [xx(] Catfish can live in a mud puddle. I like looking at other peoples salt water aquariums and coral reefs, a guy I know has a 200+ gallon tank, reinforced floors under the tanks, separate tanks full of water that circulate into the main tank, very elaborate and I assume expensive setup but it sure is nice to look at. 0 -
I bought a used 90 gallon salt water tank. I've had it running for about 2 weeks now. It had a couple of damsels in it when I went to pick it up. They died during the 2 hour trip back to my house. We left about 2-3 inches of water to keep the bacteria going.
It has plenty of real nice coral, but it is not alive. Two really big dual bio-wheel filters. I think I'm gonna put in some live rock and wait a couple more weeks before introducing a damsel or two.
I also have two very well established freshwater tanks. A 75 gallon and a 37 gallon and the fish have been doing very well for several months.
This 90 gallon salt water is my first time. Am I going about things the right way? Thanks for any advice!!!0 -
XLpitman - Dude you're going to have issues. Them Bio-wheels ain't going to be enough for corals (large polyp or small). Let me ask did you mix the salt mix in the tank? Did you use R/O waster or tap with de-chlore? Do you know the Specific Gravity of the water? Also you're lucky that the bottom of the 90 didn't blow. Got a slow leak yet?
If I had to guess your "corals" are dying and you need a protien skimmer. I recon your Amonia would be high if not the Nitrite. You can ride it out and have a kill tank or a tank that will never cycle (since most people will tell you to do a water change from the Amonia being too high).
Let me know how you wanna run this.0 -
Ha! I knew I remembered posting to this thread way back when!
Well, I still have that anemone and clown pair. They lay eggs on the glass roughly once a week. I still have 90% of the corals in that pic. I'll have to post an updated pic of that candycane/trumpet coral, a.k.a. caulastrea. It's the cluster of pink and teal heads all the way to the right side of the tank directly underneath the pump. That colony is bigger than a softball now and I've cut off and sold several pieces of it. It's the center piece now.
Just like everything right now, it's a buyers market if you wanted to get into the hobby. A lot of people desperate for cash looking to get out and you can save literally thousands on used stuff.
The only worry I have is prolonged power outages, which we've been very fortunate here living in town. I could get a generator if I needed it though.0 -
quote:Originally posted by XLpitman
I bought a used 90 gallon salt water tank. I've had it running for about 2 weeks now. It had a couple of damsels in it when I went to pick it up. They died during the 2 hour trip back to my house. We left about 2-3 inches of water to keep the bacteria going.
It has plenty of real nice coral, but it is not alive. Two really big dual bio-wheel filters. I think I'm gonna put in some live rock and wait a couple more weeks before introducing a damsel or two.
This 90 gallon salt water is my first time. Am I going about things the right way? Thanks for any advice!!!
The water probably sloshed around on the way home and wasn't deep enough for them. You should have just threw them in a container of water. Fish like damsels can survive up to a couple days in bags when something goes wrong with overnight shipping.
It's pretty much a known fact in the hobby that bio-wheels are nitrate factories. They'll help break down ammonia and nitrite to nitrate which of course is less harmful but in large quantities, is going to give you an algae garden and will kill coral. Fish can handle high nitrates (even 100 ppm) but not recommended.
First thing I'd do is get an RO/DI unit if you don't have one. 200 bucks will get a good one. Now you've got endless, pure water at home with no chlorine, phosphate or metals in it. My tap is 256 TDS. I get 0 TDS out of the RO/DI. If I only used tap water, the phosphates that come in it would grow the algae out of control.
Then get a good protein skimmer. Don't be afraid of them. Spend the money and you'll wonder why you didn't have one before.
Then I'd get an auto top off like a Tunze Osmolator. I highly recommend and use one. Then you can just fill a container with your water and let it top the aquarium off 24/7 as evaporation occurs. Then you don't have to do it manually every day. Just fill the reservoir once a week. Better for the inhabitants and removes an annoying task.
Then, you can pick up a nice used controller to turn your lights on/off automatically and run your heater and pumps off of.
Don't spend a whole lot on fake or even dead coral. They just collect detritus and algae will build up on them and you'll take them out. In a year it will all look like crap. There's nothing you can do to stop it.
Next, if you want to grow real coral, you'll want to upgrade lights to T-5s or Halides. The ones from home depot won't cut it. Good reef halide bulbs alone are around 70 to 100 bucks a pop and need to be changed once a year at least. T-5s with reflectors will do and are cheaper. But some like halides better.0 -
Ours is full of my wifes Angel fish. I used to have a 40 gallon. Now its a 15 gallon. Much easier to maintain.
Over the years have had Oscars, Tiger barbs, Jack Dempseys, Black Skirt Tetras, Tin Foil Barbs, Silver Dollars, Tire Track eels, and my favorite.... African frogs. Wow, such an old thread.0 -
I have a 55 gal fresh water aquarium with plenty of nice fish. You might want to try fresh water fish first. It's a lot cheaper than salt water. You can always switch to salWar on Terrorer later if you like it. What I like about the freshwater is you can watch fish being born. There easy to raise. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by SuburbanNoize
why does it filter S A L T W A T E R ? why does it make it say salwar on terrer?
s a l T W A T e r That's why.[;)]0 -
quote:Originally posted by yoshmyster
XLpitman - Dude you're going to have issues. Them Bio-wheels ain't going to be enough for corals (large polyp or small). Let me ask did you mix the salt mix in the tank? Did you use R/O waster or tap with de-chlore? Do you know the Specific Gravity of the water? Also you're lucky that the bottom of the 90 didn't blow. Got a slow leak yet?
If I had to guess your "corals" are dying and you need a protien skimmer. I recon your Amonia would be high if not the Nitrite. You can ride it out and have a kill tank or a tank that will never cycle (since most people will tell you to do a water change from the Amonia being too high).
Let me know how you wanna run this.
I haven't really decided on a plan. So many forks in the road. I mixed the salt water in a 5 gallon bucket using Aquasafe and sea salt. Also added some stress zyme. Took many trips to slowly fill her up. The salinity of the water is right between 1.022 and 1.023 using my hydrometer.
I did an ammonia test and it's looked real good. Hardly no ammonia at all. The corals were already dead whenever I got the tank. The guy I got it from told me not to change the bio-wheels because they contained important bacteria.
Haven't had any leaks. Guess I got lucky on that end. That sucker sure was heavy to move. Really had to man-up!!
Do I need live rock or live sand?
This is water first salt water aquarium and who knows...I may have already made some big mistakes. It's definetly a challenge!!0 -
quote:Originally posted by nunn
I have a 75 gallon freshwater aquarium. In it are one Oscar and one Pleco. I didn't know Oscars required as much maintenance as they do, so I will not miss this one when it dies. I have had it several years and it got big.
Trouble with Oscars is that, if you get bored with them, you can't just turn them loose, unless you are in south Florida, where they have survived and become established as a game fish.
If I have a chance to start over, I will catch a baby bluegill out of my pond, keep it until it gets big, turn it loose and start over with another one. Either that or get a turtle.
Had in a 45 Gal. 2 Tiger Oscars, 2 Jack Dempsy, 2 Convicts and one little Coolie Loach. If I do another I will use the same fish. Oscars I could hand feed. Had to get rid of it when I got transfered to Okinawa.
I did put in one of thse Betta's, all I found the next day was its head. I also Had a 10 gal with a fantastic Black lace Angel fish. beta ate all the long fins off. So I feed him to the Oscars.[:D]0 -
I set up my 50 gallon some time ago now. I haven't found it to be nearly as much work or trouble maintaining as some of you describe. It was certainly worth the investment - so soothing and relaxing. Sometimes when I'm not watching TV I just sit, maybe read a book, and listen to the water bubbling with an occasional glance at the fish. I think everyone should have one.
Don't you serious people get pizzed off at me now [:D]0 -
quote:Originally posted by XLpitman I haven't really decided on a plan. So many forks in the road. I mixed the salt water in a 5 gallon bucket using Aquasafe and sea salt. Also added some stress zyme. Took many trips to slowly fill her up. The salinity of the water is right between 1.022 and 1.023 using my hydrometer.
I did an ammonia test and it's looked real good. Hardly no ammonia at all. The corals were already dead whenever I got the tank. The guy I got it from told me not to change the bio-wheels because they contained important bacteria.
Haven't had any leaks. Guess I got lucky on that end. That sucker sure was heavy to move. Really had to man-up!!
Do I need live rock or live sand?
This is water first salt water aquarium and who knows...I may have already made some big mistakes. It's definetly a challenge!!
Since you ain't got no Protien Skimmer (or at the very least a "Skilter") there will be issues if you wish to keep corals. Now fish only tank the bio-wheels and water changes will be plenty (even though bio-wheels are pretty much junk).
Was that a glass tank or acrylic? Also how much sand did it have? Little or a lot (like 4"/6" deep)?
You mention you're at a cross roads. 90 gallon tank is bitchen' (not long as a 100 but taller). You can go either fresh or marine and do well.
You can run the course but decide to go "reef" (more gear and time) or "fish only" (little more gear). Or you can go African Cichlids since you can re-use all the rocks and sand (they like the hard water). I did the convert with my 125 gallon reef to Tangynikan after I sold the bulk of the rocks and corals as well as most gear. Made enough cash to go get the fish and lighting system (went LED) without spending any new money.
Right now if I were in your shoes I'd read up and think long and hard about the cash I'm willing to "invest". 'Cos most likely your tank is a kill tank in midst of cycling anything you add as in live stock you will be sacraficed to the reef/marine gods. Basically I wouldn't do anything to the tank other than add a protiene skimmer or let it ride out. In about 2/3 weeks the tank will cycle if you do no water changes(I wouldn't bet much on survivors) just top off the tank with R/O water as it evaporates.0 -
Since our cat adopted us, the fish have taken 2nd place. Here's a pic of our old tank. We moved up to a 30 gallon tank then the cat moved in.
There's a fish tank in that picture somewhere. [;)]0 -
I appreciate all the advice. I have no idea what I'm doing, but have a will to learn. I got a good deal on the whole set-up. I'm gonna go for it.
How much do protein skimmers cost?0 -
Here's some pics of the aquariums:
90 gallon salt water:
75 gallon freshwater:
37 gallon freshwater:
I have an albino tiger oscar, a tiger oscar, a red bellied pacu, and a 13" pleco in the 75 gallon.
In the 37 gallon, I have a pair of Jack Dempseys (male & female) and a pleco.
The 90 gallon salt water is new and has no fish yet. I've got plenty of patience to establish the tank. That's another reason I need some help from you guys that know what you're doing. Thanks!![:D]0 -
yoshmyster & vess1
Where are you fellers at? Ya'll seem very educated on salt water set-ups. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!!![:)]0 -
Oh you don't have a grip of cash tied up in that tank. It is a glass tank so I'd chalk up a water lins and look out for wet spot since the sillicone might've been weakend from the move.
So the first thing you need to deal with the tank is the cyno-bacteria (that red slime algae) on your base rock. Funny you're basically starting from scratch at this point. So you can either add Maracyn I (or was it II?) to kill off the red slime. Which will slow down the cycling of the tank but you do have that kind of time. And it'll cost a pretty penny since you'll be treating a 90 gallon tank. Now you have to take in to consideration the cost of meds to treat such small amount of base rock.
How much did this set up cost you? (I'm hoping you didn't pay no more than $250 and that's me being generous figuring it took you 4 hour drive, back and forth).
I just had a thought. The 90 would make a better tank for the Pacu (as you know they get "BIG" and that is if you intend on keeping it). And 75 is good enough tank and you wouldn't need that deep penetrating lights if you went reef. It'll be a easy swap just get couple of new garbage can to hold the salt water from the 90 while you move everything from the 75. After you get about 80 gallons of water I'd use a strainer to take out the gravel (leave the muck in the tank since it's just fertilizer). Basically you're cleaning out the gunk with the tank water so you ain't killing off the bacteria that's colonized on the gravel.0 -
quote:Originally posted by yoshmyster
Oh you don't have a grip of cash tied up in that tank. It is a glass tank so I'd chalk up a water lins and look out for wet spot since the sillicone might've been weakend from the move.
So the first thing you need to deal with the tank is the cyno-bacteria (that red slime algae) on your base rock. Funny you're basically starting from scratch at this point. So you can either add Maracyn I (or was it II?) to kill off the red slime. Which will slow down the cycling of the tank but you do have that kind of time. And it'll cost a pretty penny since you'll be treating a 90 gallon tank. Now you have to take in to consideration the cost of meds to treat such small amount of base rock.
How much did this set up cost you? (I'm hoping you didn't pay no more than $250 and that's me being generous figuring it took you 4 hour drive, back and forth).
I just had a thought. The 90 would make a better tank for the Pacu (as you know they get "BIG" and that is if you intend on keeping it). And 75 is good enough tank and you wouldn't need that deep penetrating lights if you went reef. It'll be a easy swap just get couple of new garbage can to hold the salt water from the 90 while you move everything from the 75. After you get about 80 gallons of water I'd use a strainer to take out the gravel (leave the muck in the tank since it's just fertilizer). Basically you're cleaning out the gunk with the tank water so you ain't killing off the bacteria that's colonized on the gravel.
I agree with your theory 100%. But, my wife wants to keep things as they are. Guess I'm stuck, don't want to fight with her, she's too good looking. [;)]
You ain't joking that pacu is growing like crazy!!! I love him.
You hit the nail on the head. I paid $250.00 for the entire salt water set-up, including many accessories.
What do you mean by chalk up a water lins?
So what you're saying is that I do need some live rock?0 -
Everytime I typed it in it kept showing the same thing so thats why I left it for you to try figure out
quote:Originally posted by fishkiller41
quote:Originally posted by SuburbanNoize
why does it filter S A L T W A T E R ? why does it make it say salwar on terrer?
s a l T W A T e r That's why.[;)]0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
63 comments