New to salt Water

[fishforlife]

I have been researching for a while and it seems that a reef tank is VERY expensive while a fish only live rock set up is "more" reasonable. Agree?

My wife and I are not so much interested in invertabrates as we are in the crabs, shrimp, clowns, gobies, blenny's, snails, ect...So for that reason a fish only tank is the way to go.

I have kept a fresh water tanks for years...and now after seeing the beauty of a salt water, well there is no comparison. I am planning a 135+ gallon tank, with SUMP and refugium in my garage.....

Please give me any thoughts, comments, ect....

Oh.. and if youhave pictures of a Fish only tank...I would like to see

Thanks!

[leebca]

WELCOME TO REEFLAND!

There is a lot of information available here in these Forums. It may take some time to read through it, but you should take that time. The information is there, in detail (if you like having details). I'll get to some reading in a moment. First. . .

The costs of the two systems can be as different as you want it to be. You can invest in an expensive FOWLR system or an inexpensive reef system and find they will cost about the same. The maintenance of the reef system is where you'll find most of the 'extra' costs. The FOWLR system still requires maintenance, but not rigorous maintenance, and not as frequently as the reef system. In addition, the maintenance of the FOWLR system requires fewer additives and controls, since the inhabitants are not quickly removing calcium, magnesium, and carbonates.

Still, if you like the invertebrates you listed, they will be depleting the calcium, magnesium, and carbonates to make their shells and for the coralline algae to grow. So controlling calcium, magnesium, and alkalinity will be necessary, but that control should be easier and less expensive then if you were keeping hard corals.

I would rethink the keeping of crabs. Do very good research on them. If you mean hermit crabs, then I would not recommend them at all.

Now, as for reading. . .You want to start with the beginner's guide:
Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium

Within the above linked post you'll find other links. However, this is a link to a post that is a Table of Contents of sorts. You'll find links posted there to posts and threads and articles of a variety of subjects.

The Table of Contents: Table/Contents - Link List

If you can and are willing to do the reading, we will be happy to clarify any point or questions you think wasn't answered or give some advice. Many who support these Forums have had extensive experience and/or knowledge about this hobby.

There are photos of aquariums throughout posts and in poster's gallarey. My tanks can be viewed here: Lee’s Marine Systems

I will say this, it is very smart of you to seek information out before jumping into the hobby. If you are that smart in reading these posts, you'll find it a very rewarding hobby!

[fishforlife]

Why would you reconsider blue leg/red leg hermit crabs? I thought that most "cleaning crews" are dependant upon them.

Oh I tried to look at your tanks but the the page would not come up.

[Lucid]

found it here... couldn't open the link either.
Reef Frontiers - A Reefkeeping Community - May 2007 MOTM

[leebca]

Hopefully the link Lucid provided worked for you?

Regarding hermit crabs. . .Bottom line is that they are omnivores and will eat whatever they can get their claws onto, including marine fish. You'll need to do the reading on them and the better value -- snails:
Aquarium Frontiers Library
Clean Up Crews - Reef Hobbyist Online Magazine
and on snails:
The Grazing Snails, Part I - Turbo, Trochus, Astraea, and Kin by Ronald L. Shimek, Ph.D. - Reefkeeping.com
The Grazing Snails, Part II - Abalones, Limpets and Nerites by Ronald L. Shimek, Ph.D. - Reefkeeping.com
The Grazing Snails, Part III: Conchs, Ceriths, Cowries, and Columbellids by Ronald L. Shimek, Ph.D. - Reefkeeping.com

What cheeses me the most is the 'rip-off factor.' They are sold for dollars and bought for pennies. A high-profit item for retailers. So they recommend them and sell them.