Where do I start?!

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by Jace, Dec 30, 2008.

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  1. Jace

    Jace Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2008
    Messages:
    82
    I have a 30 gallon tank that I'm converting to a saltwater tank... I'm pretty sure I know all the stuff I'm going to need to start off BUT if you could help me make a list of everything and good brands that aren't over the top with prices and maybe some other useful tips I will need for my first saltwater tank. I really want to make sure I do this right so anything helps!!

    Oh yea I live in the USA, Florida

    Thank You SOOO much, Jimmy
     
    Jace, Dec 30, 2008
    Jace, Dec 30, 2008
    #1
    1 person likes this.

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  2. Annie3410

    Annie3410 Teardrop Maxima Clam

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2008
    Messages:
    827
    Location:
    Kansas City, MO
    go SLOW!!!! That is more important than any piece of equipment. Do you have a sump? Aqua C are good skimmers without being too expensive.
     
    Annie3410, Dec 30, 2008
    Annie3410, Dec 30, 2008
    #2
  3. ZachB

    ZachB Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2008
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    3,111
    Location:
    Earth
    Welcome fellow Floridian. You've found a good forum - what kind of hardware ya got?
     
    ZachB, Dec 30, 2008
    ZachB, Dec 30, 2008
    #3
  4. GuitarMan89

    GuitarMan89 Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2008
    Messages:
    5,736
    Location:
    Wilmington, DE
    First, make sure you read and you know what type of tank you want. A FOWLR will have a little different equipment and the lighting doesn't need to be as powerful. The basics for a reef tank are: a good lighting fixture, skimmer, live rock (1-1.5lbs per gallon), powerheads for flow, heater... Are you going to set up a sump?
    How much lighting you want will depend on what you want to keep. Softies and lps, shoot for 4-5watts per gallon, sps, clams as much as you can. You need to decide if you want halides or T5s, many people don't like pcs at all. Anyways, im kinda getting ahead of myself. You should describe what you want to do, and what you think you need. The best advice is to take it slow, there have been many people who rush it and end up wasting money, time, and livestock. Good luck!
     
    GuitarMan89, Dec 30, 2008
    GuitarMan89, Dec 30, 2008
    #4
  5. juliew

    juliew Coral Banded Shrimp

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2008
    Messages:
    399
    Location:
    Central Florida
    What do you want to keep? Fish only, or fish with corals?

    BTW - What part of FL are you from?

    julie
     
    juliew, Dec 30, 2008
    juliew, Dec 30, 2008
    #5
  6. Jace

    Jace Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2008
    Messages:
    82
    Id love fish with coral and the live rock and the works I know iv got to go slow and as of now I have NOTHING for a saltwater tank, just my fresh water set up in it. BUT tomorrow I will be getting another tank for my turtle and fish in my 30 gallon and turning the 30 gallon into my saltwater fish. So like I said tomorrow Im going to be buying all the stuff I need Minus the fish but hopefully I can pick up the live rock. Im in Sebastian by the way
     
    Last edited: Dec 31, 2008
    Jace, Dec 30, 2008
    Jace, Dec 30, 2008
    #6
    1 person likes this.