Brand new to Saltwater Tank set up.

[Ritchie G]

Hello. I have been wanting to get a saltwater tank for the last 15 years, but wanted to wait until i owned my home. Now that is done I want to do as much research as i can so I do it right. Here is what I am looking for and any articles or info that anyone can give would be greatly appreciated.

I want to have a fish only (no coral) tank with live rock/sand and the easiest way to maintain. I am not against working on it, but if live rock, live sand maybe an extra tank to help filter water ect.. is best for the fish, that is what i want to do. I did some research years ago, but I want to start from scratch with the best up to date knowledge.

I would like to have fish of all different colors that obviously get along and do not eat each other.

Thank you in advance for your time
Ritchie

 

[WheatToast]

52 Weeks of Reefing on YouTube is one of my go-to sources for reefing information. Give it a watch!

 

[JumboShrimp]

We’re all here to help you, step-by-step. And I agree, there are some incredible instructional video-series out there. You might think about Negative Space Aquascaping (NSA) for a FOWLR, if you like the look. Best wishes!

 

[WheatToast]

https://i.redd.it/x3325nb01gl61.jpg
Also consider if you want easy-to-keep macro algae
https://www.marineplantbook.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_marine_aquarium_plant_species
https://www.algaebarn.com/blog/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHULQdSxGjepb0Hei1FnYbw

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello. I have been wanting to get a saltwater tank for the last 15 years, but wanted to wait until i owned my home. Now that is done I want to do as much research as i can so I do it right. Here is what I am looking for and any articles or info that anyone can give would be greatly appreciated.

I want to have a fish only (no coral) tank with live rock/sand and the easiest way to maintain. I am not against working on it, but if live rock, live sand maybe an extra tank to help filter water ect.. is best for the fish, that is what i want to do. I did some research years ago, but I want to start from scratch with the best up to date knowledge.

I would like to have fish of all different colors that obviously get along and do not eat each other.

Thank you in advance for your time
Ritchie

1. Aquarium/Tank
   You need to decide where you want to put your aquarium, determine what size you want or may only have room for, whether you want an acrylic or glass tank, and choose a style that will best fit into the spot you have picked out to display it.
2. Lighting
   The type of lighting you choose will be based on the type of system you have planned to set up, as well as what kind of livestock you will be keeping in it.
3. Skimmers, Filters & Filtration Equipment
   Once again, what type of system you are going to set up will help you determine which kind of filters and filtration system to choose.
4. Powerhead
   Depending on the size of your aquarium, the use of one or several powerheads is an excellent way to provide good water circulation throughout the system.
5. Live Rock & Substrate
   Here you need to decide on what type of material you want on the bottom of the tank, as well as whether you want to start with a live or non-living medium. Live Rock plays an important role in a marine tank. Many marine animals, fish in particular, can be quite territorial. It is important to provide ample shelter or places where the animals can hide, sleep, and avoid potential problems with aggression from other tankmates in the confined space of an aquarium.
6. Sea Salt Mix/Saltwater & Hydrometer
   Sea salts are what make an aquarium a saltwater or marine aquarium. Also referred to as a salinity tester, this item measures the specific gravity or salt content of the water.
7. Heater & Thermometer
   For smaller aquariums one heater works well, but for larger systems the use of multiple units is advised. With stick-on, floating, multi-function remote digital sensor, and many other types of units to pick from, the material a thermometer is made of is an important factor when choosing one as well.
8. Air Pump & Air Stones
   Only needed if you are going to run a piece of equipment that requires these items, Or for quarantining/medicating fish
9. Test Kits, Additives & Supplements
   For live rock and reef tank systems, calcium (a.k.a. limewater/kalkwasser) needs to be added. Other supplemental vitamins or additives that are beneficial to the health of certain marine inhabitants you may be keeping, such a iodine for crustaceans, are important as well.
10. Maintenance Tools & Supplies
    This category includes having items on hand such as a various sized plastic buckets or containers, tank cleaning tools such as a siphon tube/hose, an algae scraper or magnet, as well as nets of different sizes, spare equipment replacements parts, and so on. A good way to keep track of what maintenance tasks you have preformed and when is to keep a log book or record of everything you do.