Anyone have a saltwater aquarium here?

[Desslok]

I am just wondering how much work they are compared to freshwater tanks. I have been looking around via google, but would like a first hand account.

Thanks

 

[xchangx]

I used to have one.

It take a lot of time. Saltwater fish are less tolerable to changes, Ph, and other factors.

Gotta have the right amount of salt as well.

Easier to have a freshwater tank, but saltwater fish are more beautiful.

Michael Chang

 

[eflat]

Don't have one but I know a lot about them -- If managing a fresh water take were like riding a bike, then keeping up a saltwater tank would be like flying a fighter jet.

Expect to pay well over $2000 for a 30 gallon or so reef tank.

 

[tigerbait]

Originally posted by: xchangx
I used to have one.

Easier to have a freshwater tank, but saltwater fish are more beautiful.

I don't have time for a saltwater tank, but I'm satisfied with my African Cichlids. I've got such Malawi peacocks that have so much color you'd think they were saltwater fish.

 

[Desslok]

Originally posted by: CitizenDoug
Don't have one but I know a lot about them -- If managing a fresh water take were like riding a bike, then keeping up a saltwater tank would be like flying a fighter jet. Expect to pay well over $2000 for a 30 gallon or so reef tank.

YEa I keep reading it takes at least a grand to start out. hmmmmm I am a sucker for those bright colors though.

 

[littleprince]

I keep one and I have to disagree with just about everything above.

If you want a full reef tank, and something around 4ft or bigger. Get ready to take out a loan...
If all you want is a small reef tank, say a couple of Nemo's (Clownfish) and a few soft corals, it'd probaly be doable for about $500 usd the first year.

It is more work than freshwater and definately do your research before you go out and waste money and kill animals needlessly.

IMO the best reef forum is reefcentral.com

You need to research first, and decide what size tank, what type of things you want to keep, and than a lot of patience. It takes years to build a great reef tank, you cant just slap things together.

 

[Desslok]

Originally posted by: littleprince
I keep one and I have to disagree with just about everything above. If you want a full reef tank, and something around 4ft or bigger. Get ready to take out a loan... If all you want is a small reef tank, say a couple of Nemo's (Clownfish) and a few soft corals, it'd probaly be doable for about $500 usd the first year. It is more work than freshwater and definately do your research before you go out and waste money and kill animals needlessly. IMO the best reef forum is reefcentral.com You need to research first, and decide what size tank, what type of things you want to keep, and than a lot of patience. It takes years to build a great reef tank, you cant just slap things together.

Cool thanks for the info. Do you have any good web sites for fish/reef tanks?

 

[littleprince]

Originally posted by: Desslok

Originally posted by: littleprince
I keep one and I have to disagree with just about everything above. If you want a full reef tank, and something around 4ft or bigger. Get ready to take out a loan... If all you want is a small reef tank, say a couple of Nemo's (Clownfish) and a few soft corals, it'd probaly be doable for about $500 usd the first year. It is more work than freshwater and definately do your research before you go out and waste money and kill animals needlessly. IMO the best reef forum is reefcentral.com You need to research first, and decide what size tank, what type of things you want to keep, and than a lot of patience. It takes years to build a great reef tank, you cant just slap things together.

Cool thanks for the info. Do you have any good web sites for fish/reef tanks?

As stated above.

reefcentral.com

If your serious, try out some others
reefs.org
aquariacentral.com (more for freshwater)

 

[Desslok]

Originally posted by: littleprince

Originally posted by: Desslok

Originally posted by: littleprince I keep one and I have to disagree with just about everything above. If you want a full reef tank, and something around 4ft or bigger. Get ready to take out a loan... If all you want is a small reef tank, say a couple of Nemo's (Clownfish) and a few soft corals, it'd probaly be doable for about $500 usd the first year. It is more work than freshwater and definately do your research before you go out and waste money and kill animals needlessly. IMO the best reef forum is reefcentral.com You need to research first, and decide what size tank, what type of things you want to keep, and than a lot of patience. It takes years to build a great reef tank, you cant just slap things together.

Cool thanks for the info. Do you have any good web sites for fish/reef tanks?

As stated above. reefcentral.com If your serious, try out some others reefs.org aquariacentral.com (more for freshwater)

Cool thanks for the links I will check them out.

Have you ever had to move with a saltwater tank? I might move in three or so years and I was just wondering if that pretty much means everything will take a hard hit and possibly die.

 

[amnesiac]

Originally posted by: CitizenDoug
Don't have one but I know a lot about them -- If managing a fresh water take were like riding a bike, then keeping up a saltwater tank would be like flying a fighter jet.

Expect to pay well over $2000 for a 30 gallon or so reef tank.

"Well over" $2000 is probably a little high.

A 30 gallon tank, stand, and everything to get started can be had for < $1500

Wait a month for your tank to cycle...

Spend about $200 on fishies..

Then comes the fun part with the maintenance. Ugh. If I get another tank it will definitely be a smaller one. My 30 gallon 3' cube tank was a crapload of work to keep happy.

 

[gotsmack]

it is a LOT of work. The salt builds up on the edges fo the tank every day, so you have to clean it every morning.

And Salt water tanks smell. kinda like the ocean but stronger.