Hey guys, I’m about to buy a 40-50 gallon from Petco because they’re having there famous dollar per gallon sale. This will be my first saltwater but I’ve wanted one since I was little. I was looking for a new hobby and I’ve had countless experience with freshwater, including Betta and other fish breeding. Saltwater, though, is a whole other ballgame with beautiful fish and coral and inverts and everything! Now I am on a budget, so I’m looking for the cheapest set up for that tank, keeping in mind I will upgrade constantly overtime. I would like to do a reef aquarium because I love the coral too :). So any suggestions on cheap lighting good for coral, or a cheap setup in general?
Noob to all this
- Thread starter Bl00dAngel97
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Coralreefer1
Valuable Member
Glad to hear about your interest and desire to get involved in the beautiful and fascinating saltwater aquarium hobby. Having experience with other types of aquariums will help you.
Having said this however, your best bet is to research all you can about lighting options and prices, protein skimmers and wave makers to start. Also, make a list of what you would like to have in your tank as far as coral, fish and inverts. From there read all you can on the ones you have listed. Husbandry, compatibility, size, what they eat, venomous or not and how easy they are to be kept in an aquarium. A couple other side notes to point out is that many fish species change from juvenile to adult as far as coloration and design/pattern like a Koran Angelfish. Males and females can be totally different in appearance in some species like the Flasher Wrasses. Also, some fish do better as an individual or a mated pair while other do better in a group/school. Some fish start off as males with the dominant one becoming a female (sequential hermaphrodite) as is the case with Clownfish. Others start off as females with the dominant one becoming male (protogynous hermaphrodite) as is the case with Anthias’. Educate yourself on the inverts available as well as corals. Find out if they would be a good fit in your tank based on the types of fish you would like to possess. Again, some corals and inverts are easier than others to keep. Some fish eat inverts and corals. Some inverts eat fish! Some corals will injure or kill other corals.
I could take up your time continually writing, however, it would be best for you to read and research, check and compare prices on skimmers, lights and powerheads/controllers, pumps and sumps/refugium if you go that route. Also, I know you said you were on a budget, however, lights are not that cheap and you get what you pay for. With your lights being one of the key components of your tank and ultimately, they make or break the colors of your livestock, I would try not to skimp on that part of your set up. Skimmers and other items can be upgraded at a future time. Heck, many people don’t even use a protein skimmer. However, I’m not saying you should, as newbies to the saltwater hobby should not cut corners if they want to have the best chance for success.
Well, best of luck to you in your endeavor into the awesome marine hobby. Hopefully I have offered you some insight into what will help you to be successful and fully experience the beauty and fascination of maintaining a marine aquarium.
Having said this however, your best bet is to research all you can about lighting options and prices, protein skimmers and wave makers to start. Also, make a list of what you would like to have in your tank as far as coral, fish and inverts. From there read all you can on the ones you have listed. Husbandry, compatibility, size, what they eat, venomous or not and how easy they are to be kept in an aquarium. A couple other side notes to point out is that many fish species change from juvenile to adult as far as coloration and design/pattern like a Koran Angelfish. Males and females can be totally different in appearance in some species like the Flasher Wrasses. Also, some fish do better as an individual or a mated pair while other do better in a group/school. Some fish start off as males with the dominant one becoming a female (sequential hermaphrodite) as is the case with Clownfish. Others start off as females with the dominant one becoming male (protogynous hermaphrodite) as is the case with Anthias’. Educate yourself on the inverts available as well as corals. Find out if they would be a good fit in your tank based on the types of fish you would like to possess. Again, some corals and inverts are easier than others to keep. Some fish eat inverts and corals. Some inverts eat fish! Some corals will injure or kill other corals.
I could take up your time continually writing, however, it would be best for you to read and research, check and compare prices on skimmers, lights and powerheads/controllers, pumps and sumps/refugium if you go that route. Also, I know you said you were on a budget, however, lights are not that cheap and you get what you pay for. With your lights being one of the key components of your tank and ultimately, they make or break the colors of your livestock, I would try not to skimp on that part of your set up. Skimmers and other items can be upgraded at a future time. Heck, many people don’t even use a protein skimmer. However, I’m not saying you should, as newbies to the saltwater hobby should not cut corners if they want to have the best chance for success.
Well, best of luck to you in your endeavor into the awesome marine hobby. Hopefully I have offered you some insight into what will help you to be successful and fully experience the beauty and fascination of maintaining a marine aquarium.
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