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Salt water reef tanks.

Nice fresh water tank Factor5. I love salt water myself but the money you spent on it is just way too much.. If I had the money, I'll do for sure. I mainly deal with Freshwater just because is easlier to maintain.. This is one of my freshwater setup..
 

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I'm getting a free 29 gallon (freshwater) tank today :banana
 
Actually, Joseph. Saltwater isn't that much more expensive than freshwater if you go fish only. By going fish only(no corals or inverts), you can use less salt in your tank which is actually better for the fish and the lighting will be cheaper electricity and bulb price wise but you are paying about 2-3 times per fish than you normally would.

Oh and I hate you, Mike.:laughing
 
Mike T said:
:wow wow...that site has some really really nice pics...
Click to expand...

Yeah, each tank has a real "balance" to them. I thought it would be cool to have a freshwater tank with some crayfish to look at, but apparently they tear grass and plants up.
 
Ok, the pet store around the corner from me has one of these on sale for 99 bucks

Fluval Edge Aquarium

The lady there said it could be used for saltwater the exact way it's set up now.

You think so?
 
mikev said:
Ok, the pet store around the corner from me has one of these on sale for 99 bucks

Fluval Edge Aquarium

The lady there said it could be used for saltwater the exact way it's set up now.

You think so?
Click to expand...

Not unless you really know what you are doing.

The ocean is extremly stable due to its size. A six gallon tank (even a 1000 gallon tank really) is tiny and maintaining stability is the biggest challenge for an aquarist I would say.

75 to 100 gallons is a good place to start, unless you want a little reef tank with no fish... :2cents
 
Mike, that tank would be difficult if you have never done saltwater before. Just a bit hard to keep parameters stable. Also, it would be only fish and live rock at best, corals would need better lighting, like compact fluorescents or HQI.

Those planted tanks really want me to get one started, they look great.
 
I'm trying to get an Edge myself but you miss a water change or a top-off on a 6 gal and you can pretty much expect a dead tank the next day. I also hear that the lights on the Edge aren't very strong and you can't grow anything in there except bacteria(not even enough light for algae).
 
hm.

OK, Really I want something low cost and low maintenance, but I really like the look of salt more than freshwater.
 
mikev said:
hm.

OK, Really I want something low cost and low maintenance, but I really like the look of salt more than freshwater.
Click to expand...

Low maintenance salt water fish tanks do exist, but they definitely aren't cheap.

The reason the small tanks aren't recommended for beginners is because swings in Ammonia, Nitrate, PH, salinity, alkalinity, Oxygen, ect. occur more easily in a small tank, and have to be addressed immediately.
On the other hand with a 55 gallon tank, these changes/imbalances happen gradually, and you can catch them before they kill your whole tank; making them more forgiving for the novice.
 
What about one of those Biocube things?
 
You mean like those nano style tanks? Those are okay for beginners but only get small gobies(stay away from mandarins or scooters) or clown fish, gentle shrimp like skunk cleaners or sexy shrimp or small hermits and easy corals like xenia and zoanthids.
 
Yeah. It's this one

12537.jpg


Lil 8 gallon thing, but it says it's good for Salt right outta the box.

Just something to kinda learn with before I think about spending more $$ on bigger stuff.
 
That's a decent option mike, and the 12gallon even better if they have it since more volume is better. You could do a pretty nice setup with a couple clownfish, cleaner shrimp, hermits, macroalgae, and small low light corals like mushrooms and zoanthids.
 
That's basically all i'm looking for. I tried to find a 55ish gallon setup somewhere on the cheap, but the wifey was having none of it. Something about brand new hardwood floors :rofl
 
Yeah......

Saltwater + hardwood floors = mad wifey + salt creep.

Freshwater + hardwood floors = mad wifey + fishy smell.

I'd say set it up in the garage next to a drain.
 
:bump

This thread should just be renamed the aquarium thread.

I just overhauled my freshwater tank with a filter mod(tubing and a $10 skimmer) and some crushed coral substrate to raise the ph and carbonite hardness to house amano shrimp. The shrimp are almost clear and it's very hard to take pictures of them but they are eating ALL my algae that's not on the acrylic.

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Also got some cool little frogs to add more diversity.

12418_326909358234_669418234_3466022_7937101_n.jpg


And these zoanthids(or palythoas?) that hitchhiked on my live rock are starting to grow like crazy. I'm up to 5 polyps from 1, in a year.:laughing

12418_326909353234_669418234_3466021_6308954_n.jpg
 
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