New to forum need FO help

[cenzoslammer]

This was the best forum that I have seen on the internet after a hour searching I am setting up a 30gal fish only salt water tank and like to know if this is the forum to seek help being it's a reef forum?

If not does anyone know of a good forum like this for FO salt water.

 

[paats]

I think you will find what you need to know here.There are a lot of extremely knowledgable people.

 

[ChrisRD]

Hi and :welcome:

I'd recommend setting up your tank as a FOWLR (fish-only with live rock). That way down-the-road, when you decide you want to get into corals, all you'll have to do is upgrade the lighting. Even if you never get into corals, personally, I've had better luck with maintaining good water quality and fish health in a FOWLR type setup over other filtration methods.

All you really need for filtration in a FOWLR setup is some good live rock, a decent skimmer, and if you like - some sand. You'll also want a couple of powerheads to provide plenty of circulation.

Take a look in our library at our beginner's guide - nice summary of the basic concepts: http://www.reefs.org/library/newbieguide.htm

Also, get yourself a good book or two. I'd highly recommend "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" by Bob Fenner, especially if you're more interested in fish for now. John Tullock's "Natural Reef Aquariums" is another good one - probably more geared to reef stuff.

You'll find them both, as well as some other good books in the beginner's section of our recommended reading list in the library: http://www.reefs.org/library/reading/beginner/beginner.html

Also, be sure to check out some of the books in the fish section of the reading list. If you had to have just one book on fish, I'd highly recommend "Marine Fishes : 500+ Essential-To-Know Aquarium Species" by Scott Michael
Fish books in our library -->http://www.reefs.org/library/reading/fish/fish.html

Read and research all you can on how to setup and stock your tank before committing to purchases, and of course, ask questions here. It will save you a lot of money and frustration in the long run.

HTH and good luck with your new setup.

 

[Anonymous]

Nice Chris, very very well done.

Well, I can't add much more to what Chris has said, except to have a definite plan as to what fish you absolutely have to have in your tank. Then do the research to gain the understanding what environment your chosen fish need to thrive, such as some jawfish need sand on the bottom to be happy, or other fish like hiding places in the rock, etc.

Good luck!

 

[SnowManSnow]

<- My 2 cents.. dont burn any bridges.. as you set up your FOWLR... leave the POSSIBILITY of keeping corals and inverts one day You'll be suprised how fast you'll be into that stuff hehe. If you can pick up nice equipment that will allow you to expand...
(I'm just now learning that I should have gone with MH lighting from the start... as opposed to starting out with PC..which isnt too bad actually)

Just my 2 cents

B

 

[cenzoslammer]

Wow Thanks The tank im going to set up is a 30 gal with a 96watt PC, I just put a order in for a 75 gal wet dry filter thinking that would be the best way to go, could I still use live rock would it make the my tank more powerfull being I have a wet and dry and live rock for filtration?

 

[ChrisRD]

No. The live rock and the skimmer will be all the filtration you need and you're better off without the wet/dry. Save the money on the wet/dry and get a good skimmer. (my opinion)