Salt Water Start.

[OscarFan]

Im thinking about starting a Salt water and I have a couple questions.
1.min tank size
2.heating
3.lighting
4.food

[Fenix]

i just started too so i can kind of help you.

1.min tank size
- depends on what kind of fish you want to have. I m using a 10 gallon tank probably will keep 2 fish in it.

2.heating
-basically the same as freshwater. You just need a heater.

3.lighting
-Depends if you want live rocks and coral.
For just fish the requirements are basically the same as fresh water fish
For rocks I'm not too sure either but the same as fresh water i guess
Coral you will need better lighting. For basic coral ~100 watts would be good but other stuff like clams require a lot better lighting. It gets really expensive.

4.food
-No clue.

I'm new at this if anyone sees an error please correct me.

[OscarFan]

I want a fish and a cleaner shrimp

[Dave66]

Im thinking about starting a Salt water and I have a couple questions.
1.min tank size
2.heating
3.lighting
4.food

1. I'd suggest a 40 gallon. There are many who've had success with smaller containers, but many, many more who've had problems with water quality in little tanks. A 40 would enable you to keep a broader span of livestock.
2. I use titanium heaters (which don't break) in my marine tanks, as they are more accurate than glass models. For a 40, a 200 watt heater should keep your tank at the optimal 77 degrees.
3. The full-spectrum lighting depends on if you are going fish only, fish only with live rock, or a reef tank. The first, whatever light level you want, the second, between 8 and 10 watts per gallon, the reef, the same, but a mix of daylight and actinic bulbs. Add a halide if you want to keep SPS corals.
4. Depends on the fish you are keeping. Most are omnivores, some are carnivors, some herbivors. Research the fish's dietary needs before purchasing.

Dave

[cocoa_pleco]

1. I would recommend starting with at least a 55g
2. You should get a 250w heater
3. If you dont want corals, you can use low light. If you want corals, its best to go with VHO fluorescents or MH
4. It depends on the fish

[drawnon]

ive been looking into a saltwater tank as well. i have a 55 in storage. im confused about live rock and corals. is there a differance?
can i just keep fish?
i would need a filter without live rock, correct?
live rock needs a huge amount of light correct?
i cant say im that interested in coral or live rock to start. can i add it down the road if i have the money?
ive been reading about salt setups but none really explains fish only. they all lean twords lr and reef.

[cocoa_pleco]

A) corals are live jellyish things, live rock is rock with life on it
B) yes, fish only is possible
C) yes, without LR a filter is needed
D) live rock does not need a huge amount of light, corals do
E) its best to add all LR at the start so that you dont end up with uncured LR down the road
F) most refer to LR because thats really the only way to decorate a SW tank

[drawnon]

wow thats expensive. i would need 82 pounds in a 55 gallon. thats over 500 bucks at 7 bucks a pound. how about min light requirements? what am i looking at for that? i think i remember reading 7 to 10 watts per gallon? maybe the 55 should stay in storage for now.

[~Erik3.8.07~]

if you know your not goint to have corals in it you could use base rock. it's basically dead live rock and is much much cheaper

[cocoa_pleco]

yep, you could use base, but you have to cure it yourself. for live rock in a 55g the minimum for a FOWLR is 30w.

ive got 130lbs of cured in my 55g and so far nothing bad has happened, however you can suit it to your taste. i went with over 2lbs/g but you can go less, doesnt matter