Help please. I want to start a saltwater tank, and would like interesting, exotic Fish. Corals too. advice?

I am relatively experienced with freshwater tanks (have a 30 gal. goldfish tank, 3 fish in it, and a betta/frog tank. I understand there is a bit more to a saltwater tank, please share your advice / experiences!

I kept freshwater for 20 years before I decided to do saltwater. Everything I read beforehand said to start with a tank at least 30 gallons (I picked a 29 gallon I had but wasn’t using). Withing 6 months, I was ready to move up to a 55 gallon, and kept the 29 gallon as a saltwater tank as well. I’m now up to three saltwater. It’s addictive!

Once you get the tank set up (the biggest time and money consumer), there really isn’t that much difference or work to them. At least that’s my opinion, and I still have both types. There’s a little more to the equipment, such as a protein skimmer (used to remove dissolved organics and small particulates from the water that would otherwise add to the nutrient load), a hydrometer (used to mix the salt to the right concentration), and the salt itself (don’t plan on fast water changes – I mix the water in 5 gallon buckets or a 30 gallon plastic garbage can a few days before and drop in a powerhead to mix it, then do minor adjusting earlier in the day of the water change).

The fish are more colorful, generally more expensive, less tolerant of poor water conditions, and more territorial and aggressive (personalities more like cichlids). Because of all that, they can’t be stocked as heavily in saltwater.

If you want to get into corals, you’ll need to upgrade your lighting beyond what comes with a standard hood. I don’t recommend anything less than a compact fluorescent, and a CF/ metal halide might be better depending on the lighting needs of the corals you like.

I also like using live rock in the tanks – it provides extra biological filtration and makes a more natural setting for the fish and inverts. Plus, you never know what kinds of critters you’ll get with it. I’ve found a sea star 4 months after I put the last piece of live rock in my tank that I never knew I had. Plus shrimp, snails, sponges, etc. Everyone has their own preference on type and I have two tanks set up with Atlantic aquacultured rock (more colorful) and one with Tonga branch (this makes columns for fish to swim in and out of).

There are lots of choices for fish, depending if you like large or small, peaceful or aggressive, but if you plan to have corals, make sure the species are reef safe. My favorite two species are Bangaii cardinalfish (these remind me of freshwater angelfish) and longnose hawkfish. The cardinals will breed in the tank if you get a pair, and they’re mouthbrooders – the male gathers the eggs in his mouth and holds them 21-23 days till a little after the fry hatch (and he doesn’t eat the entire time). The hawk will perch on some coral or other spot in the tank and watch for small shrimp, and when he sees one, he swoops down like a hawk, which is how they get their name. They aren’t good at swimming for a long time or distance, but when he sees his owner (or at least the person who feeds him), he’ll swimm over to the glass an “wag” his whole body.

Best thing I can advise is to read up on all the fish you like and see what will be compatible in a tank the size of yours. Here are a few websites to get you started, but I’s suggest getting a good saltwater aquarium book as well.

http://www.apapets.com/MarineEcosystem/whatto.htm

http://www.peteducation.com/index.cfm?cls=16

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/

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