thinking

[todaie12]

I'm thing of setting up a salt water tank. I don't want to do a small tank. I was thinking, maybe about the size of a 45 or larger. I find smaller tanks require more work.
I was wondering what are my options. W ith a salt water tank.
Do I have to go with a reef or could I just go with live sand.
All the info I can get would be a great help?
Thanks (blush)

[AABatteries]

A 40g breeder would a great tank to start with. Also, research, research, research! I'm actually starting my 20g SW tank today, after 6 months of waiting and about 3 months of research. A book is a great way to research. The New Marine Aquarium: Step-By-Step Set Up & Stocking Guide by Michael S. Paletta is good one.

[Tigerbarb]

A 45g tank is an excellent starting size for a saltwater system.
No, you don't have to go reef, you can start out with a FOWLR system.(fish only with live rock) Starting with a 45 gallon live rock system with 8-9 small fish in it would be a great way to introduce yourself to the marine hobby, before you move onto keeping more delicate organisms such as corals. Although a FOWLR system only has simple equipment requirements, it is reccommended that you start out a FOWLR system with reef-ready equipment, as this will make your job easier if you ever decide to convert your tank to a reef.
As AAbatteries said, do TONS of research before you even purchase/position the tank. Research is the most important key to success.

So anyway, I wish you luck in the marine hobby, and I hope your setup goes well.

[cocoa_pleco]

40g breeder is a good start, theyre shallow and give you 18" of width. i had one for a while, but i didnt get too far before i upgraded to my 125g. i had 2x96w PC lights and you can see how bright they are on a shallow tank

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w31/cocoa_pleco/01-09-08_2043.jpg

[todaie12]

I have been thinking of doing a salt water tank for a year now. The only thing that was stopping me, was that we had no LFS and now we have one. I'm will be doing lots and lots of research.
Great picture cocoa pleco. That is something long the lines of what I was thinking.

[rageybug]

40g breeder is a good start, theyre shallow and give you 18" of width. i had one for a while, but i didnt get too far before i upgraded to my 125g. i had 2x96w PC lights and you can see how bright they are on a shallow tank

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w31/cocoa_pleco/01-09-08_2043.jpg


Yikes, that PVC pipe is not the way...! Nice looking little tank, a small FOWLR tank can be awsome.

[cocoa_pleco]

lol, the PVC was for a mantis. the tank was going to be set up for a peacock mantis with a few corals and just enough rock to make him a cave. last i heard was the mantis was late coming from the Philippines and i never heard after