Hi everyone.. new here and hoping to get into salt water

I always had a good fresh water tank. Ya, I would slide on upkeep from time to time, but it always did well. I didn't think it was that hard, where as many people think it is.

So I approached salt the same way. Figured eh... as long as you stay on top of stuff, it's no big deal.

Well..... it's a big deal. Much more demanding and much less forgiving. Now I'm not saying don't do it. I love my tank, and salt is also much more rewarding than fresh.... I'm just saying it deserves some respect. Just read up. Take your time. Impatience carries a big price. Have fun, and reefs are awesome.

 

Welcome to 3reef!

 

Welcome to 3 reef. One thing I learned here is to ask before not after you do something, buy something or change something. I have gotten some great advice. Saved the wallet and a couple of fish. Enjoy the new hobby and dust off your checkbook;D

 

hey thanks guys for the warm welcome!
I'll definitely study those links before I start asking obvious questions.
any suggestions of a good simple set up to start with? or maybe just a tank size?
I'll definitely take it slow this time but I'd still like to go out and buy some stuff to get the ball rolling and keep the excitement up! ;D

 

may be wrong here but i think a 55 is the place to start and it can even be economical compared to some of the small high priced cube tanks and things. the 55 will also have room for some decent fish, but it's just my thoughts.

 

I started with a 20gal. I wanted to get some experience before I got something more expensive. I had the 20gal. About four months. I just set up a 55gal. A few days ago

 

Welcome to 3ref

 

Thanks everyone..

So I think I've decided to go with a BioCube 29 with the optional protein skimmer to start off. I'll buy the equipment soon and pause while I decide on substrate setup.

Then when I figure that out I plan on adding live rock and some cheap/hardy fish to get the tank cycled properly for a few months..

Ultimately I'd like to have maybe 4-5 fish, 1-2 corals, and some shrimp/misc critters?

 

the only thing with the biocube is if you decide to go bigger you have to start all over again. If you go with a regular tank you can buy the equipment that you can transfer over on another tank when you get ready. with the cube it is what it is and that's it. I just think in the long run you would come out ahead and those cubes are expensive.

 

remember a little size makes things more stable especially for a beginner including myself.