Getting Started.

TankerRaph · Feb 23, 2024

What’s up everyone? Looking to get started on a small salt water tank. 20gal. Looking to do some corals and live rocks. What do yall recommend for a beginner?

Dom · Feb 23, 2024

TankerRaph said:
What’s up everyone? Looking to get started on a small salt water tank. 20gal. Looking to do some corals and live rocks. What do yall recommend for a beginner?

My first recommendation is to ask yourself exactly what you want to keep in the tank, and then design your system around that question.

So, what exactly would you like to see in your tank?

TankerRaph · Feb 23, 2024

Dom said:
My first recommendation is to ask yourself exactly what you want to keep in the tank, and then design your system around that question.

So, what exactly would you like to see in your tank?

I like the corals. The glow. That’s why I am looking to start small and see how maintaining them is. I have a 110 and a 55 gallon fresh water at the moment.

Cell · Feb 23, 2024

Welcome to the forum.

The best place to start is by reading this and then coming back and asking any specific questions you still have and there will probably be plenty!

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium This article was sponsored by @MarineDepot at www.marinedepot.com. Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean...

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Dom · Feb 23, 2024

TankerRaph said:
I like the corals. The glow. That’s why I am looking to start small and see how maintaining them is. I have a 110 and a 55 gallon fresh water at the moment.

Starting small makes sense, but not in this hobby.

Being new to salt water, you may find that you are getting big chemistry swings, which is a common problem for people entering in to the saltwater arena.

The Rule: The bigger the tank, the more subtle the chemistry swings.

I would suggest that you start with a 40 gallon breeder. It is a good size, which will make chemistry swings more subtle.

Also the dimensions of the tank are large enough for you to do interesting rock-scapes.