Newbie Question

[grasspack]

Hello, My name is Alice and my husband and I are just starting to learn and read and reread everything we can on setting up a FOWLR tank. I am very excited as it is actually the first hobbie(besides sailing) that we are both actually interested in. So, I think we are off to a great start. My question is...Do you think it is better to start from scratch with a new tank, rock, etc.....or if the opportunity arises to buy a tank locally all started....which one would be better? I don't want to bite off more than I can chew and I don't want to miss any of the valuable learning that goes along with making mistakes. Just would like some opinions...

Thanks in advance and I am enjoyig reading all of the older posts.
Alice
We do have one fish bowl.....a goldfish that my 8 year old daughter won at a little county fair three years ago. He is a great little fish.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

First off,

You have found THE best forum for all things marine aquarium!
I think it would be way more fun and a more gratifying experience to start from scratch. That doesn't mean you have to buy everything new. I bought my tank and stand used because I wasn't sure how all this was going to pan out (my first experience with any type of aquarium. I never even had goldfish. ). I purchased everything else new and put it all together the way I wanted, with the equipment and livestock I wanted. I definitely have my regrets on certain purchases or products but it was all part of the learning process (at least, that's what I keep telling myself). I found I liked the process as much as the end result (to an extent. I'm not near the end result yet). Hope this helps and welcome to Reefland!

[leebca]

Alice,

Nothing wrong with starting your marine system with used equipment. You just want to be sure to only choose equipment you can properly clean before using it. There are many bacterial and virus pathogens that can 'live' through drying out. So if you can't clean it properly, pass it up.

This cleaning guide will help you with what you need to do for cleaning, so you can tell what to pass up (those you can't clean according to these guidelines): Marine System Clean Up Recommendations

And just to be clear. Even new equipment needs to be cleaned before use (see the linked post).

This post will give you an idea of equipment, test kits, and things you'll need to gather up (as well as how to start the system up): Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium

I would caution one thing to you. Don't try to put the system together a little at a time. It is best to not start until you can do it all at the same time. So you can buy piece by piece, but don't do any assembling and starting until you have everything you need. And when it comes time to assemble everything and get things going, don't try to put in live rock a little at a time. Have your funds ready to buy substrate, rock, decorations and everything else you want for the inside, too (if you want to use live rock). For instance, the equipment mentioned here (along with the test kits mentioned in the above and below links) need to be handy right from the start: What is Water Quality

Lastly, check out the stickies in these Forums for topics you need to learn about. This table of contents is a good start: Table/Contents - Link List

And you need to begin to learn the 'hobby language.' This is a good compendium of many of the words and phrases you'll come across: Glossary of FOWLR Terms

Although there is a lot to learn, the challenge is fun and the results very rewarding. We are all here to help you through any unclear things you come across. The posts though are made to be very thorough and almost all your questions will be answered there. Good luck!

[grasspack]

Hello and thank you for replying...I have read most of the articles that you mentioned and working my way through the Stickies I find it all very interesting even if some of it doesn't make any sense to me...YET!

The tank that I am looking at that is used is all set up and running and has some beautiful fish in it that I really like. It is perfect for what I want and very similiar to what I would actually build myself. I worry that I don't have enough knowledge to get it relocated and would lose fish in the move. That is my big concern with that. And I also feel that once I got it home and set up that I might feel a little "cheated" as I didn't "build" it myself. I guess then I could always start another one someday down the road. Thanks again for replying and I am having a blast reading through all the old posts. But I am tired as I am staying up way too late

Alice