need some help

[sean305]

Ok so i was just given a 30 gallon tank, and ive always wanted a salt water fish tank, so i was wondering if some of you experts can help me!

i need a list of all the things i will need, to get the fish tank up and running! and maybe a estimate of what it would cost?? thanks for all the help in advance!

also on a sidenote...this will be my first fish tank, beside a couple 10g freshwater ones when i was younger

[ibefishy]

Hello, welcome to Reefland.

As far as price goes when I figured out what it would cost for me to set up a salt tank I found that it was going to cost about $30 a gallon. Depending on what you want, whether its fish only or if it is a full reef, this will cause the price to change. A few things to keep in mind: patience... rushing through any part of a reef tank can cause problems, either immediate or down the road. Its cheaper to buy the better equipment first than it is to upgrade later (unless you get a really good deal). And do lots of research about the livestock you intend on keeping, dont just blindly follow the lfs advice. They can be helpful, but they also have a business to run and make money. Just my .02, take it or leave it. I hope you the best in your salty journey.

[Samper]

Just to get you going here are some things you will for sure need

RO/DI water filter
Heater and something to tell you what your temp is.
Test Kits - I use Salifert and LaMotte
Something to test Salinity or Specific Gravity like a refractometer.
Powerheads for water circulation
Lights...the type will depend on what you want to keep.
CaCO3 sand
Live Rock
Salt Mix

This is a very basic list to get you going.
A few other things that are very nice to have are:

Protein Skimmer
pH meter

As you go you will acquire more and more things....this is an addictive venture.

[kgross]

Another thing is what do you want to keep in the tank, Just fish, if so what fish, or do you want a reef tank with live corals and clams.

Kim