Starting up a saltwater tank can be an exciting hobby! One that can provide enjoyment for years and years. However, as with any major decision the first step is to slow down and learn everything you can about building a saltwater aquarium tank. If there is one hobby that requires some patience this is it!
When deciding on a saltwater tank you can choose one of three ways to design your tank. Your options are fish only, fish and live rock (aka reef keeping), or live rock only. If you decide to go with a fish only system try to buy equipment that could be used for live rock in case you decide to add it later.
There are a lot of great books on saltwater tanks and saltwater tropical fish for sale. If you are considering a setup with live rock I would recommend that you look for a newer book. I suggest this because the methods for caring for live rock and corals have been improved upon in recent years. Check out online book sellers as they usually have the best variety.
In regards to tank size you can start with something as small as a twenty gallon tank. It is important to point out that saltwater tanks and tropical fish are delicate and a smaller tank will require more frequent monitoring and can be more susceptible to changes in the environment. Most experts feel strongly that the minimum size should be at least fifty gallons if not larger.
Once you have an idea as to the size of your tank give careful thought to where it will be placed. One gallon of water weighs roughly nine pounds. Add some sand, live rock and combined with the weight of the tank your setup will easily exceed five hundred pounds or more. As a result be sure that there is adequate support under your tank. Also be sure that it is level. An unleveled tank can put additional pressure on joints and could cause leaking over time.
Other suggestions when deciding on tank placement include avoiding direct sunlight and placing it away from heating and cooling vents. These things can make the temperature in your tank fluctuate and cause unnecessary stress on your fish and live rock. Also, try to find a spot such a family room or entry way where everyone in your family will be able to enjoy your saltwater tank.
The next thing to consider is the equipment that you will use in your tank. If you are doing a fish only tank most saltwater enthusiasts would agree that at a minimum you should include a wet/dry trickle filter, a protein skimmer, a pump, heating equipment and lighting. If your setup will include live rock then eliminate the wet/dry filter as the live rock will help keep your system in balance.
It can be easy to spend a lot of money purchasing equipment. Make sure that what you plan to purchase will adequately service your tank. You should expect to spend at least five hundred dollars to get started. This figure is on the low end. Anyone that has been in this hobby for very long will tell you that the sky is the limit when is comes to the amount of money you could invest in your new hobby.
Also, don't forget about the monthly expenses as well. You will be using more water when you clean your tank every month and when you are topping it off due to evaporation. You will also notice an increase in your electric bill since you will now be running lights, pumps, and heaters. You can expect at least a $10.00 rise in your monthly utility bills.
One idea to save some money when starting is to look in your local newspaper's classified ads or the local ad bulletin for a good tank. You can also look for equipment but this is more of a gamble as you probably won't know how old the equipment is or if it was well maintained.
So, do you think you are ready to add some saltwater and look for some fish for sale? Not so fast. In my next article I will discuss the need to cycle your tank.
The Author, Elliot Lawson, offers tips and advice about keeping saltwater fish. Please check out [http://www.theguidetofun.com] if you would like to learn more about setting up a saltwater aquarium and saltwater tropical fish.
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