Beginning Setup

[jordyt123]

I'm brand new to this board and to this hobby and I have a few questions:
1. What is a good beginners setup?
2. Do you recommend buying a used aquarium setup?
3. I really like eels and lions, but do you think a beginner would have a hard time with these fish?
4. Lastly, I like the idea of having different types of fish in one tank. What combination of fish is the best for a beginner?

 

[hdtran]

Jordy,

Welcome to reefs.org. I hope one of the administrators puts in the big animated GIF banner that welcomes you!

(1) Your best beginner setup is "Natural Reef Aquariums" by John Tullock (or "Your First Saltwater Aquarium"), or "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" by Bob Fenner.

(2) Used is ok, if you know what to look for. I'd go with new myself. I suppose a mix of new & used is fine.

(3) Eels & lions should be fine for a beginner, but you will need to be conscientious about the water quality.

(4) See Answer 1.

Regards,

 

[Anonymous]

I started with 100% used, but bought it from a source I was VERY confident about. Often in this hobby (but not always, and hence the need for postings like this) you get what you pay for.

It can become very expensive to buy used parts that do not work correctly.

 

[jordyt123]

Thanks for the advice! :lol:

 

[Johnsteph10]

Jordy,

hdtran is right! Buying used in the reef hobby is like buying a used car -- you don't really know its history, maintenance, care, etc. It's a different story, however, if you know who you are buying from!

Lions, eels, etc. are fairly easy to keep in a fish-only tank/fish-only-with-live-rock tank (FO/FOWLR).

Try those books -- best under $40 you'll spend in the reef hobby (except maybe for cute surprises for your wife who gets exasperated by just LOOKING at the tank and knowing how much money I have sunk into it...while I babble on about a bigger pump, more coral, etc....she's a patient woman... )

John

 

[hdtran]

OK, let's try this:

Jordy,

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I think John Tullock talks about a "Pinnacle" species. You basically want to build your tank around the "hardest to keep" species you intend on keeping. Most of all, don't treat it like a science experience, and have fun with it!
~wings~