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andries

andries

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Hi:wave2:

I'm also interested in starting a Saltwater tank.

I've only got a tank(60l) from my previous freshwater experience and I would like a list of all the things you need to get up running apart from the fish and the approx. cost involved.:thumbup:
 
Welcome to MASA Andries, glad you joined. Please read the link below, this will give you a lot of info regarding setting up a new tank.

You'll need:

1. Tank and preferably a sump with a powder coated or galvanised stand (if not it WILL rust)
2. Reverse osmosis unit for the salt water mix and for RO top ups
3. Salt
4. test kits (ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, kH, calcium, pH)
5. refractometer or hydrometer to test salt levels (salinity)
6. good quality live rock and substrate
7. protein skimmer - the best you can afford twice the system volume
8. heater
9. return pump
10. flow pumps for inside the tank (seio, tunze, sunsun, etc)
11. lights depends on what you want to keep (in the link ;))
12. patience
13. money
14. a wife that doesn't mind the purchases
15. no kids throwing toyu cars at glass :lol:

Please add if I forgot something guys - getting old now :p
 
Hi and welcome to MASA

Tobes has given a good list of the things you require for a full blown marine setup, but I think that's an intimidating and prohibitive list of things you need to get going. The first thing you need to decide is what you want to do with your tank, what fish and corals you want to keep etc. It is quite possible to run an extremely attractive, small nano, with just a few fish and basic, low light requirement corals with just a HOB filter and manage with large weekly water changes.

I find that this forum is dominated by the monster setups, which cost huge amounts to get going and run, but a well run, small system can be an extremely rewarding and beautiful tank, and these system typically cost far less. Take a look www.nano-reef.com

hope this doesn't ruffle any feathers! :p
 
andries said:
I would like a list of all the things you need to get up running apart from the fish and the approx. cost involved.:thumbup:
Click to expand...

I gave a list if you decide to buy everything loose or do some homework by getting prices, etc - you can also purchase complete units - I think Idol Marine stocks them.

Dane said:
Hi and welcome to MASA

Tobes has given a good list of the things you require for a full blown marine setup, but I think that's an intimidating and prohibitive list of things you need to get going. The first thing you need to decide is what you want to do with your tank, what fish and corals you want to keep etc.

hope this doesn't ruffle any feathers! :p
Click to expand...

He asked for a list and I gave one - then at least he has an idea what to ask for at a LFS :)
That is also why I said he must read the link in my signature as that will explains to him the different types of light, filtration etc for different setups.
 
Hello and Welcome.

There is nothing wrong with a 60L set-up or Nano tank. But it is a lot more challenging than a 250L or 500L system. Reason, one snail that dies, and your water parameters go berserk. The bigger the water volume, the smaller the parameter swings. Especially when you are still a beginner and learning about phosphates, nitrates, and all those chemistry stuff that you had no interest in at school (and you though to yourself "when will I ever use that in my life":)).

In my mind, a perfect beginners system is a standard "4 foot" or 1.2m tank. Around 200 to 250L. Equipment, not that big and expensive. Water volume a lot more forgiving compared to a nano tank.

But if you are up to a challenge, and you do weekly test water and keep a good eye on all things, then you fast track your learning curve. I learned how things really work on a standard 90L tank with a standard 60L tank as sump.
 
Thanks Everyone for the warm welcome!

Thanks also for the links I'll go through it this weekend it will help:thumbup:

Does someone know of a Pet Shop that sells the equipment in the Pretoria Area that can be very helpfull and honest that won't tell me I need all these things if I don't actually need it.

I also want when I get started with the tank to get used to everything and all the work that has to go into the tank before moving onto a bigger setup. That's why I thought the 60l migth be a good way to start? I already have it from the freshwater experience so it would be a waste not to use it?:confused1: I just want maybe a clown fish or 2 with maybe a prawn(can I call it That?:001_tongue:) to help keep the tank clean. with the live rock and maybe a coral?:bigthumbup: can this be to hard for a start like you said Riaan?
 
andries said:
Thanks Everyone for the warm welcome!

Thanks also for the links I'll go through it this weekend it will help:thumbup:

Does someone know of a Pet Shop that sells the equipment in the Pretoria Area that can be very helpfull and honest that won't tell me I need all these things if I don't actually need it.

I also want when I get started with the tank to get used to everything and all the work that has to go into the tank before moving onto a bigger setup. That's why I thought the 60l migth be a good way to start? I already have it from the freshwater experience so it would be a waste not to use it?:confused1: I just want maybe a clown fish or 2 with maybe a prawn(can I call it That?:001_tongue:) to help keep the tank clean. with the live rock and maybe a coral?:bigthumbup: can this be to hard for a start like you said Riaan?
Click to expand...

Hi Andries, glad you got so much info already, warm welcome to MASA.

mmmm honesty from a LFS, contentious issue at best. I am with Riaan, rather see if you can hook up with fellow refers & get some inside info and opinions , experiences BEFORE setting foot in a LFS.

Good luck with your yourney into marines
 
hello andries, welcome to masa :)
nice to hear you have a tank, but to be honest there is a large difference between a FW tank and a marine ready tank, it may be better to look at getting a second hand marine tank with a sump. Its definatley easier to start a reef system with a sump and good skimmer while you get your head around the increased husbandry skills you need for a marine system.

id definatley suggest going to ahve a look at a few tanks around you and see how systems are set up and get your head around a teh equipment and principles of systems.

i have a small 30l nano that is fun, but real hard to keep going perfectly simply as the changes are so rapid. i also have a 1.8m system and thats far far easier and more forgiving on my mistakes. so in short aim at getting a tank that is a big as you can which is buildt for filtration, after you understand what you want to achieve:)

ps, you can call them prawns although technically they are shrimps :)
 
A VERY WARM WELCOME to MASA, Andries! Great to have you on-board! Please talk to either Dorry Pets or Pet Stop. They are both in Pretoria.

Both of them would assist you with what you require.

For the rest - BEFORE YOU BUY ANYTHING - please please please come and ask out advice about whatever you want to buy.

Please read the URL link in my signature, about "Starting a Marine Aquarium"....

Also - remember that keeping marines successfully means that you HAVE to be very patient! And you NEED to read as much as you can. Read, and ask questions.

Good luck mate!
 
FransSny said:
Hi Andries, glad you got so much info already, warm welcome to MASA.

mmmm honesty from a LFS, contentious issue at best. I am with Riaan, rather see if you can hook up with fellow refers & get some inside info and opinions , experiences BEFORE setting foot in a LFS.

Good luck with your yourney into marines
Click to expand...

Thanks FransSny:thumbup:

I'm a little bit dumb with all the abbreviations:whistling: LFS?
I'm starting from scratch cause I don,t know anybody with this hobby so this site helps.
 
Local Fish Skelm - that is a good one Frans :)
 
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