Help please, from a kind soul out there?

[kristin]

Hi. I just bought a house and the woman who sold it to me left her marine tank, with two fish. (I think they are a yellow tang and a yellow-tail damsel). My best estimate is the tank is about 120 gallons and has live rock in the bottom. The lights are on a timer, and go on mid-afternoon and stay on about 8 hours. The former owner's only advice: buy some brine shrimp at the pet store and feed them every other day.

The problem is, I've never had a marine tank. I haven't even had a freshwater tank since I was seven (and I'm well past that now!) I've bought several books, but haven't found what I need: i.e., a quick guide to maintenance.

Can anyone point me in the right direction? I've got a lot of time and interest, but too little knowledge at this point. Looking for a kickstart. Many thanks.

Kristin

 

[Scottis24]

Look for the two books by Moe. Ones the "marine aquarium reference" and he has another I can't remeber the title of. Those are the ones I read to get started. There will be a sticky post here soon about the top ten newbie questions. there is a ton of info on this stuff all over the place. I Started reading at www.wetwebmedia.com they have a marine and freshwater systems sections. Your deffinatley in the right place to learn. www.fishbase.org is a good ID site for your fish, but you need the latin name to be the most effective with it. I'm no expert and this site and the other two I mentioned have been the most help to me so far. Good luck and stay with it, it really is a bunch of fun.

 

[Scottis24]

Ohh yeah, Almost forgot Check the archives for maintenece stuff. They get tired of answering the same old questions time and time again so they leave the archives up for that purpose.

 

[kristin]

Thanks, Scott!

 

[Scottis24]

NP Good luck

 

[danmhippo]

What's NP?

 

[Bodine]

No Problem?
Where in Texas are you if I am ask. The local reef club or good LFS should help.
The best help is HERE!!!!

 

[danmhippo]

Doh.....Stupid me...

The whole setup is probably such a big topic. I think the most immediate thing for you to do is to find a book, and start identifying each component of your tank. Go through the basic concept of marine tank setup and maintenance. If you run into confusion, come back here and ask the specifics.

Good Luck

 

[SPC]

Posted by Dan:
What's NP?

Steve

 

[Scottis24]

No problem Steve. You know one of those IM (instant message) sayings.... NP No prob, LOL laugh out loud, ROTFL Rolling on the foor laughing etc...... Back before the days of the dreaded emotiocons (graemlins here)......

 

[Scottis24]

BTW Bodine your link's busted

 

[danmhippo]

Actually, he was just laughing at my stupidity.

 

[Scottis24]

Maybe I Should read my own advice.....

 

[Bodine]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Scott Jones:
<strong>BTW Bodine your link's busted</strong><hr></blockquote>

To my Homestead?

 

[Scottis24]

First time I clicked it I got a PNF error. works now. Sorry must be XP/IE6 issues....

 

[Scottis24]

Purty Bodine. Seriously looks nice.

 

[kristin]

Bodine: Just moved to DFW (Arlington) from NY. Thanks for the advice.

 

[kjb]

I would suggest that you read ReefKeeping 101 on-line at http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1999/feb/newbie/default.asp
It is a good introduction to the basics, won't take too long to read and it's free!
You might skip the first article, since it is mostly an intro to why the author writes the series. The rest of the articles can be a great help in giving you a booster shot of the basics involved in more modern techniques of keeping a saltwater tank. Some of the details might not interest you at this point but that's OK.

Best of Luck.

[ February 04, 2002: Message edited by: kjb ]</p>