|
|
 | | From: | Jimi Ffondu | | Subject: | Setting up a saltwater tank | | Date: | 26 Nov 2004 07:58:32 -0800 |
|
|
 | Hello everyone,
Just a quick one... I've been keeping a community freshwater tank
(4ft x 1ft x 18inches tall) for around 10 months, and it was about six
months ago that I realised that far more interesting things live in
the sea than live in rivers. I don't know why I didn't think of it
before, but I'd really like a saltwater tank - is it as simple as
setting up an aquarium with salt water in it? How does it compare to
keep marine animals vs tropical fish? It's probably a stupid
question, but do they have the same heating requirements, or
exclusively coldwater, or does it depend on the fish (apologies for
being stupid)?
I'd also like to know whether it is easy to keep a number of species,
and if anyone could recommend a good combination, or, perhaps more
importantly, any dangerous combinations! And how much volume do they
require on average?
Now, this is really going to show my ignorance - I saw a documentary
on the cuttlefish last night. They're properly amazing, aren't they?
Are they a creature which one could / should keep in an aquarium?
Thanks for your time - best wishes,
James
|
|
| | From: | SDWRX | | Subject: | Re: Setting up a saltwater tank | | Date: | 6 Dec 2004 19:13:46 -0800 |
|
|
| You can have cuttlefish in a saltwater tank, it would just be rather
expensive to keep fed. I was thinking about getting one the other month
and decided not to because of its pricey diet.
But to get back to the main question... I wouldnt say not to dive into
a saltwater hobby, just do it from a well educated standpoint. It has
expenses in both startup and maintenence costs. For a 50 gallon tank
that will have fish, inverts, soft and stony corals etc... you are
looking at around $3500 - $4500. That covers the main tank, 30 gallon
sump tank, 10 gallon refugium, protien skimmer, calcium reactor,
lights, various electrical and plumbing, pump(s), stand (very sturdy),
livestock and sand/rock.
Then think of how much electricity it will gobble each month!
Its a great hobby but it does require a few credit cards and LOTS of
research and patience.
|
|
| | From: | Ray Martini | | Subject: | Re: Setting up a saltwater tank | | Date: | Sun, 28 Nov 2004 19:56:24 -0500 |
|
|
| Can't answer to the Cuttle fish but I can say that you need to be very
careful about setting up a marine environment. It's nothing like freshwater.
The equipment requirements are way different and everything is way more
expensive.
Spend a good six months reading and learning before you even think about
water and fish. Seriously. A good startup would be a fish only marine tank.
But even then you really need to be educated on the subject in order to
achieve success.
--
Happy Fishin' ...
Ray
"Jimi Ffondu" wrote in message
news:5c7e9db5.0411260758.39216eff@posting.google.com...
> Hello everyone,
>
> Just a quick one... I've been keeping a community freshwater tank
> (4ft x 1ft x 18inches tall) for around 10 months, and it was about six
> months ago that I realised that far more interesting things live in
> the sea than live in rivers. I don't know why I didn't think of it
> before, but I'd really like a saltwater tank - is it as simple as
> setting up an aquarium with salt water in it? How does it compare to
> keep marine animals vs tropical fish? It's probably a stupid
> question, but do they have the same heating requirements, or
> exclusively coldwater, or does it depend on the fish (apologies for
> being stupid)?
>
> I'd also like to know whether it is easy to keep a number of species,
> and if anyone could recommend a good combination, or, perhaps more
> importantly, any dangerous combinations! And how much volume do they
> require on average?
>
> Now, this is really going to show my ignorance - I saw a documentary
> on the cuttlefish last night. They're properly amazing, aren't they?
> Are they a creature which one could / should keep in an aquarium?
>
> Thanks for your time - best wishes,
>
> James
|
|
| | From: | Gary | | Subject: | Re: Setting up a saltwater tank | | Date: | Sun, 12 Dec 2004 08:47:17 GMT |
|
|
| If you really want to do it, then you can and should. Just bear in mind it
will be much more demanding and will require more money and attention that a
freshwater tropical setup.
If you read lots of books, seek advise from different sources before you
make any major decisions, you should be fine.
I am in the same predicament, and I have not yet taken the plunge, as I am
moving into a new house in a few months. I have however started two
freshwater tanks, a 100litre and a 300litre. In the 300 litre, I plan on
keeping Discuss fish (They look amazing) which are said to be the most
difficult freshwater fish to keep, so maybe a step towards marine!
Regards,
Gary.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Visit Tigger's site and read his story.
Browse photos of all our cats - Tigger, Tootsie and Tango.
http://www.cutecats.co.uk
---------------------------------------------------------------
"Jimi Ffondu" wrote in message
news:5c7e9db5.0411260758.39216eff@posting.google.com...
> Hello everyone,
>
> Just a quick one... I've been keeping a community freshwater tank
> (4ft x 1ft x 18inches tall) for around 10 months, and it was about six
> months ago that I realised that far more interesting things live in
> the sea than live in rivers. I don't know why I didn't think of it
> before, but I'd really like a saltwater tank - is it as simple as
> setting up an aquarium with salt water in it? How does it compare to
> keep marine animals vs tropical fish? It's probably a stupid
> question, but do they have the same heating requirements, or
> exclusively coldwater, or does it depend on the fish (apologies for
> being stupid)?
>
> I'd also like to know whether it is easy to keep a number of species,
> and if anyone could recommend a good combination, or, perhaps more
> importantly, any dangerous combinations! And how much volume do they
> require on average?
>
> Now, this is really going to show my ignorance - I saw a documentary
> on the cuttlefish last night. They're properly amazing, aren't they?
> Are they a creature which one could / should keep in an aquarium?
>
> Thanks for your time - best wishes,
>
> James
|
|
| | From: | Alistair Maclean | | Subject: | Re: Setting up a saltwater tank | | Date: | 28 Nov 2004 08:09:23 -0800 |
|
|
| jimiffondu@yahoo.co.uk (Jimi Ffondu) wrote in message news:<5c7e9db5.0411260758.39216eff@posting.google.com>...
> Hello everyone,
>
> I'd really like a saltwater tank - is it as simple as
> setting up an aquarium with salt water in it? How does it compare to
> keep marine animals vs tropical fish? It's probably a stupid
> question, but do they have the same heating requirements, or
> exclusively coldwater, or does it depend on the fish (apologies for
> being stupid)?
Don't do it. You clearly have not read up on the subject so don't do
it. Problems: marine tanks are notoriously difficult to set up and
maintain. I guess you want a coral reef tank (bright colours,
whooshing water...) well they are extremely fragile ecosystems in
miniature and VERY expensive to stock. The corals and other
invertebrates will be susceptible to pollution (that includes the
chemicals you use to stop fish diseases) and fluctuating environmental
factors (temperature, salinity, light). If you do try marine then try
a rocky shore pool set up and pay proper attention to filtration (buy
a protein skimmer as well).
>
> I'd also like to know whether it is easy to keep a number of species,
> and if anyone could recommend a good combination, or, perhaps more
> importantly, any dangerous combinations! And how much volume do they
> require on average?
>
> Now, this is really going to show my ignorance - I saw a documentary
> on the cuttlefish last night. They're properly amazing, aren't they?
> Are they a creature which one could / should keep in an aquarium?
No. They eat fish, crabs,shrimps and anything they can get their
greedy tentacles on.
Finally - do read up on the marine setup before rushing out and
spending money. A proper set up (as opposed to a rusty bucket with the
days catch from a rock pool) will cost a lot of money, time, effort
and probably lead to a lot of heartache when your brightly coloured
and overstocked fish die of nitrate poisoning.
>
> Thanks for your time - best wishes,
>
> James
|
|
|
