just preparing to start a tank any tips

[joedanewbee]

Any helpwould be appreciated!

 

[prattreef]

Read, read, and read some more and I don't mean just on forums like MR. Get good books. Read magazines etc. Then you can ask informed questions BEFORE you make decisions.

How are you currently preparing? Where are you getting your information?

 

[KathyC]

Welcome to MR

We'd love to help you out, and a little more info would really help us guide you in the right direction....

What size tank do you plan to set up?
Do you have any equipment that you already purchased?

What type of tank do you want..a reef tank or a fish only?
..and do you have any SW or FW fish experience?

Let's start with those questions

 

[joedanewbee]

Thank you! Any suggestions on books or websites? Step by step...

 

[joedanewbee]

I will be getting mostly used equipment from family and forums I hope! Plan is to have tank in my office waiting room. The ulitmate would be reef and fish any suggestions as to maybe do reef first then add fish vs. vs...?

 

[KathyC]

Book - hands down get:
The Conscientious Marine Aquarist - by Robert Fenner
Pure gold and your best friend in the middle of the night when things start to go south...


Website - you found it already, you are here
DO look at the 'stickies' at the top of the "Reefs For Beginners" Forum
You can find it on the drop down menu on the Blue Tool bar at the top of this page under "Forums". Lots of great info parked in there!

Our Marketplace Page is a great tool for Want To Buy ads and the For Sale/For Trade Forum is one of the very best (if not THE BEST) for purchasing anything from fish to any sort of equipment to full set ups. The nice part is everything on our forums is local to the area

A tank for your office waiting room eh? hmmm, the biggest concern that comes to mind regarding placing a tank there is...is the area heated/air-conditioned when the office is closed? is there anyone around to keep an eye on the tank on weekends? Are you willing to commit to service the tank yourself and do you have the time? ...figure one evening per week and at least a few minutes daily.
Is there a sink nearby for water changes and a place to hook up a Ro/Di system to make the water (and store it?)

Many offices that have tanks limit the tank to a Fish Only tank as they are slightly less demanding of perfect water parameters than a tank with corals. You can always start with fish only (with live rock) and add corals after you get the hang of it

 

[skene]

 

[Alfredo De La Fe]

The best advice I can give: Be PATIENT. Take your time and do things right. Avoid shortcuts.

So, what size tank do you want and what type of coral are you interested in keeping?

Octocorals (soft corals) are much easier to keep than SPS and LPS corals. (Although, some LPS are not as difficult) Besides, soft corals are quite beautiful and add movement to your tank.

What type of fish do you like? Anything specific in mind?

Best,

Alfred

 

[joedanewbee]

WOWThanks for the great advise and consideration...I have been readin and really gonna take time an plan this out... My office is around th eblock from my house and I have access to water via slop sink and i control temps..but yeah there is alot to consider. Thanks again!

 

[joedanewbee]

NOt sure about types fish and corals or rock yet...the jury is still out...

 

[MikeC]

Congrats!! I was just saying to my self today I wish someone would have recomended
Anthony Calfos book "Book of coral propagation" I'm only just starting it and I love it.

Best of luck your in the right place to Learn, in my experiance Reefers are very helpful people to each other