Getting Started

[jenstaley]

Hi everyone! I am new to this, I have had a freshwater aquarium for at leat 10 years, and have always dreamed of making the move to salt water, but could never afford it.... well my husband and I are building a new home now, and he surprised me by having a space left out in the wall to have a recessed saltwater tank... probably a 110 gallon is what will fit there. So, now I have to go and get a tank and all the stuff to set it up... where do I start?? I live in a small town in AZ, so I will have to go to Phoenix to get my tank I am sure, anybody know a good dealer in that area? Also, where do you buy your fish, is there a good website to order from?? Also what do I need to get with my tank to set it up?
thanks!

[allykahn]

Read as much as you can and be patient! This forum and others will provide you with a wealth of knowledge to help you along. Decide which way you want to go (Reef, Fowlr or FO), as that decision will impact the manner in which you set up your tank including the equiment you chose.

I'm not from AZ, but there are plenty of online sites to order from. Check the "sponsors" link at the top of the page.

Good luck

[conda]

Get lots of books, here are the ones I have:

Encyclopedia of the Marine Aquarium (Red Sea) <-- GREAT BOOK

Complete Aquarium: A Practical Guide to Building, Stocking, and Maintaining Freshwater and Marine Aquariums <-- ANOTHER GREAT BOOK

The New Marine Aquarium: Step-By-Step Setup & Stocking Guide

Your First Marine Aquarium

The Guide to Starting a Marine Aquarium

A Practical Guide to Setting up Your Marine Tropical Aquarium

An of course the web, can't have a marine aquarium without web access. Here are a few links I have gathered from these forums, there are tons more:

http://www.aquahobby.com/e_home.php
http://www.liveaquaria.com/
http://www.reefcastles.com/
http://www.reefs.org/
http://www.marineaquariumadvice.com/library.html

Post some pics as you go so we can see how you are progressing. I wish I could capture mine, but the idiots who redid my house stole my digital camera.

[MarinePig]

I agree. The biggest mistake I made was not planning everything FIRST. This is just my 2 cents but I would start with the tank and a sump. I would highly recommend going the sump route and not a canister. Almost everything I read suggested a sump. I have also heard people suggest a sump with a build in protein skimmer was more cost effective than buying a sump and a protein skimmer seperate. Also, I don't know if it is required but I have had a lot of luck with a UV steralizer. Also, Someone else may know the techinical part but my tank cleared up a lot when I got it. Obviously live rock is a must, your substrate, heater, test kit. Also, I ran into big problems trying to use my tap water for water changes and had to get a Reverse Osmosis Unit. Also, plan ahead. If 110 is as big as you intend to go then that if fine but if you plan somewhere down the road to go say to a 450, when you buy stuff, keep the expansion in mind. For example with my UV Steralizer I bought one that is rated for 400 gallons and it was only $40.00 more. Just keep it in mind. Like everyone says, PLAN IT OUT AND BE PATIENT. Good luck.