Goal for 2013

[Strider199]

Hopefully the Mayans are wrong and the world wont end this month because my goal for 2013 is to start up a salt water tank again. I ran one back in the late '80 which came to a sudden end one day for a reason I never figured out.
I cant get over how much less the fish cost now. But the rest of the equipment is still expensive.
I'll be starting with the tank (and sump so it would seem), filtration system, lighting, heating, testing, substrate, and who knows what else after all the threads I have just finished reading.
Skimmer?? Something that sounds beneficial which I didn't even hear about back then. Power heads make sense to move the water.
I'll be lurking this section and maybe asking for some clarification. Now you are forewarned. My goal for 2013 is to set up a nice healthy stable S/W tank.

Thanks in advance for the answers to my newbie question.

[sheamurai]

what size tank ya thinkin'?

[Cliff]

Some useful info in the below link as well. Take your time and figure out exactly what you want. This is one of the fun parts of getting a new set-up.

http://saltwater.aquaticcommunity.com/

[Strider199]

Very informative link Cliff, thanks. I only just skimmed it for now but it has been saved to my favorites.

As far as tank size goes sheamurai, it's getting near that time of year when local lfs start lowering their price on some set-ups. A 70 gallon tank is around the size I am contemplating.
My last salt water set-up was in a 35 gallon long type tank which I really enjoyed.
The one thing I have acquired over time since then is patients. I will take it one step at a time. Research up front is priceless in the long run with equipment and stock.

[Cliff]

Have you thought about what type of set-up you want, reef, fowler.........

[Strider199]

I think I'll start out going the way of a fowler (fish only with live rock), but I do so love invertebrates and corals which I had in my previous set-up. My sea horse was my favourite. The fire scallops made the tank "pop" when they filtered.
The nostalgia is great. But I want to make this one last.

I'm still reading up on the equipment out there now a day so I'll try and get the initial set-up versatile enough to go either way. The lighting may be tricky but I have yet to check that out yet.
Protein skimmers are something new to me which after reading some about their function actually make alot of sense. When did these become popular?

[steeler1]

Good luck with your project, maybe start a journal so we can follow your progress. I wish I had the time to start one. Like you I had one in the eighties than the kids started coming and I got a job promotion with more responsibilitys, but this thread is not about me LOL.

[Cliff]

The lighting may be tricky but I have yet to check that out yet.
Protein skimmers are something new to me which after reading some about their function actually make alot of sense. When did these become popular?

The lighting is easier than you may think. If you get a standard 48" long 70 gallon tank, then I would suggest a 4 bulb T5HO fixture, but only use actinic and blue bulbs with one Fiji purple. Less usable light for nasty algae and the correct light tones to make the colors on your fish "pop".

When you want to add corals or maybe an anemone, you would just need to change one or two of the bulbs. That option might be the best for your plans

I think skimmers have been around for well over 30 years. But I think it's only been in the last 10 years (or maybe more) they have been cheap enough to become very popular and obtainable for the average person

[Strider199]

Really appreciate the info on the lighting Cliff, thanks. I spent awhile on your link last night and you have really out done yourself. There is more information, suggestions on that site then one can ingest in a few hours. Well done.