my mothers (future) sw tank

[fishyfamily]

ok apparently my want and need for a fish tank has spread to my mother or possibly the other way around but she currently wants a SW and is thinking she will prolly get a 50-55 gal and has a few questions
1) what books would you recomend, i know the e-book rocks but its freshwater based and not saltwater.
2) what type and size filter will she need, thats her current focus and she read somewhere that you have to have 2 filters with a 300gph output (whether thats each or combined, we arent sure)

[Wiggs]

I can answer #2 in saying that a lot of research is needed, as a well kept and designed SW tank will not need a filter, its the live Rock that filters for you.

You will however need a Protein skimmer in a tank of that size, as well as thinking about a sump

[iZinedane]

i agree on the above,
you dont need a filter.
you only need a protein skimmer

[OscarFan]

Resaerch alot is the best advice. I also suggest finding a good reef store if you can. They can be a very valuable asset when setting up a new tank.

[labnjab]

ok apparently my want and need for a fish tank has spread to my mother or possibly the other way around but she currently wants a SW and is thinking she will prolly get a 50-55 gal and has a few questions
1) what books would you recomend, i know the e-book rocks but its freshwater based and not saltwater.
2) what type and size filter will she need, thats her current focus and she read somewhere that you have to have 2 filters with a 300gph output (whether thats each or combined, we arent sure)

For a filter you only need 1-1.5 lbs of live rock, a skimmer and a couple of decent powerheads. I also recomend a sump with a refugium. Man made filtration will lead to headaches and nothing beats natural filtration. As far as how much flow you need that all depends on what type of setup you are planning on. Is it going to be a fish only with live rock, or a reef. If its a reef will it be mixed, lps only, softie only, or sps only?

[fishyfamily]

she is planning on having a 50-55g FO with live rock. she would love to have a reef but feels that it would be too much work to start out with.

[AABatteries]

You won't be able to keep away from the coral. I thought I would be staying with FOWLR tank for a long while. And now I'm tempted to buy coral whenever I see it. I already have a about 20 zoa heads on a rock.

[fishyfamily]

You won't be able to keep away from the coral. I thought I would be staying with FOWLR tank for a long while. And now I'm tempted to buy coral whenever I see it. I already have a about 20 zoa heads on a rock.

thats the same thing my dad told her, she is always going to want more.

[unleashed]

First of all, no marine tank needs a filter. Only copious amount of live rock and a decent protein skimmer.

Also, have a read of these various threads:

Live Rock ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.])

The Economic Environmentally Sound Reef ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.])

Stoney Corals ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.])

Species to Avoid ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.]) - Very Important

Reality Check ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.]) - Very Very Important

Also check out these Wet Web Media sites:

Marine Live Stock ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.])

Aquarium Setup 1 ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.])

Aquarium Setup 2 ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.])

You may also want to read the following books:

The New Marine Aquarium - M. Paletta, E. Kadunc, S. Michael & J. Goodman

The Conscientious Marine Aquarium: A Commonsense Handbook for Successful Saltwater Hobbyists - R. Fenner, M. Wittenrich, S. Michael & A.J. Nilsen

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

I have nothing new to add to what unleashed has posted as I believe he has covered it quite well with his links.
The one thing I'd like to say in regards to the filter/live rock issue. Something that may help you understand it a bit better is to think of it this way: in freshwater tanks we have external filters (HOBs or canisters) that contain media for the beneficial bacteria. When you add live rock to a marine tank, think of the live rock as that media and the entire tank as the filter. Unlike a FW tank, in a marine tank, the tank is the filter and the powerheads are the pumps for circulating the water to bring it in contact with the beneficial bacteria.

[unleashed]

I recommend that you read through all of those links I provided and those books (if you can get them) and then come back and ask questions about things which you don't undertand.