interested but clueless

[saltwaterfanatic]

i'm Interested in becoming salt water fanatics but i'm completly clueless...what shape of tank should i get the height or width which is better? glass or acrylic? should i get a costum made or store bought stand? where can i put my tank where should it sit and why? and what type of background shouls i get? where should i go to get all my equipment and what should i get?
HELP!!!!! :?: [/i]

 

[ReefLion]

There are two things you should do. First, read the faq's linked at the top of this board. Then, read a good, up-to-date book. I highly recommend Natural Reef Aquariums by Tullock. It is excellent for beginners, and very easy to read.

Tim

 

[LFS42]

Another good book is "The Conscientous Marine Aquarist" by Fenner.

 

[Chucker]

The reefs.org Beginner's Guide is a good place to start.

 

[Mogo]

Read a few books. I think necessary purchase ($$ ouch) would be "The Reef Aquarium" Vol 1 by Delbeek and Sprung. Although somewhat advanced, it will be great reference when you encounter gnarly water quality and other problems.

- Don't rush to get started.
- Don't buy cheap equipment.
- Tanks with larger surface areas are usually better (for gas exchange etc.) Size of tank doesn't matter all that much, but bigger is usually better. Get the biggest one you can afford. A rule of thumb: count on $50 per gallon.
- Get to know your lfs (local fish store) guys. Make many visits without buying anything.
- keep watching these bulletin boards and don't be shy about asking "dumb" questions. We've all been there.

 

[LFS42]

Read a few books. I think necessary purchase ($$ ouch) would be "The Reef Aquarium" Vol 1 by Delbeek and Sprung. Although somewhat advanced, it will be great reference when you encounter gnarly water quality and other problems.

- Don't rush to get started.
- Don't buy cheap equipment.
- Tanks with larger surface areas are usually better (for gas exchange etc.) Size of tank doesn't matter all that much, but bigger is usually better. Get the biggest one you can afford. A rule of thumb: count on $50 per gallon.
- Get to know your lfs (local fish store) guys. Make many visits without buying anything.
- keep watching these bulletin boards and don't be shy about asking "dumb" questions. We've all been there.

Good advise, but I would add 1 thing.

If you find a LFS that you like and trust, use their advise.
I've had many people come in and ask questions, then get mad when I don't give the answer they wanted.

 

[Mogo]

LFS42-
I don't want newbies to fall into the trap that I fell into with my lfs. They (it turns out) were quite knowledgeable but were selling me something/anything that I didn't really need (one example- a sumpful of bioballs). The first vho's I purchased from them were used. In fact one was burnt out! Discovered only after taking the whole 60" fixture and ballasts back to the lfs in a major snit because they didn't fire up. So my point. How does a newbie know whether he has a reliable lfs or not? I guess by readin, askin, and comparin. And not spending dollars right away.

 

[Anonymous]

i'm Interested in becoming salt water fanatics but i'm completly clueless...

does a fanatic need to have a clue?

sounds like you are already a fanatic, just a clueless one.
you did good finding this board and asking us first. i agree that an LFS can steer people in the wrong direction, it happens all the time, partly because there are so many different opinions and partly to line their own pockets. a good LFS is priceless, IMO. i don't mind the added cost to support proper collection or hire well knowledged people but when they are marking up the newest reef additive by 300% and touting it to be the greatest thing since kalkwasser, well, that makes a poor LFS, IMO.

welcome to the board and the hobby