Marine aquarium setup

[KerplunKuK]

I am new to marine aquaria, and would like some basic help if possible.
I have at present two tropical aquaria, but would like to set-up a marine
aquarium.
I have been advised many different things by my two local aquarium centres.
Please can anyone advise me on the correct procedures to take.
I understand I need a quite large tank for marine life, however nobody has
clarified what large is. Can anybody give me an ideal in size or gallons
for the smallest tank which would be deemed suitable.
I understand that I then need heaters, lights and a protein skimmer. Is a
protein skimmer the only filtration I need? If not what else is needed,
biological filters? I see from looking at skimmers they vary alot in price
from £20ish to £150ish. I see the amount of water they filter varies but
what else should I look for?
Am I missing anything or is that all I need apart from water, salt, sand and
coral pre fish?
All advice and recommendations will be gratefully received. Plus any
recommendations of equipment or online shops for UK delivery is also
appreciated.

I am a total newbie, so please go easy on me.

Thanks

[wolfhedd]

"KerplunKuK" > wrote in message
...
> I am new to marine aquaria, and would like some basic help if possible.
> I have at present two tropical aquaria, but would like to set-up a marine
> aquarium.
> I have been advised many different things by my two local aquarium
centres.
> Please can anyone advise me on the correct procedures to take.
> I understand I need a quite large tank for marine life, however nobody has
> clarified what large is. Can anybody give me an ideal in size or gallons
> for the smallest tank which would be deemed suitable.
> I understand that I then need heaters, lights and a protein skimmer. Is a
> protein skimmer the only filtration I need? If not what else is needed,
> biological filters? I see from looking at skimmers they vary alot in
price
> from £20ish to £150ish. I see the amount of water they filter varies but
> what else should I look for?
> Am I missing anything or is that all I need apart from water, salt, sand
and
> coral pre fish?
> All advice and recommendations will be gratefully received. Plus any
> recommendations of equipment or online shops for UK delivery is also
> appreciated.
>
> I am a total newbie, so please go easy on me.
>
> Thanks
>
>

[wolfhedd]

U need a lot more than that.

tank
stand
lights
powerheads(2-3)
filter
chemicals
professional reputable marine salt
ReverseOsmosis water
skimmer
test kits
and start off slowly acquiring knowledge.

on the tank, a 30 gallon is almost minimal but can only work in the
experienced hand.
i would get a 60 gallon if i was you, cause its the cheapest minimal size
for beginners if they want good results.

suppose you got a 60 gal,
a filter
mixed the water, and started cycling your tank using a big fat store bought
shrimp to create the bacteria and ammonia.(ask around for this, cause im not
sure which one u need to buy)
then you bought some marine sugar fine sand, and some aragonite sand and
mixed it up, or didnt mix it, either way, and made a 2 inch deep sand bed on
the bottom of your tank.
start your cycling
test for ammonia and nitrite
test for nitrate
get some cured live rock and stock your tank,
test for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.
next get the lights on, some halides or power compacts, ONLY IN THE PROPER
SPECTRUM.
now your system is cycled, and has light.
get a Remora Protien Skimmer if you want the best working one from what i
hear, start it up.
buy some dkh calcium buffer and some kent turbo calcium or some techCB, or
just use baking soda at the rate of 1 teaspoon per 10 gallons every day to
raise the ph and alkalinity, you need to be testing for those two as well
now daily into say twice weekly when it starts to stabilize.



test ammonia, should be going down towards 0, test for nitrite, should be
present, then start testing just nitrates(NO3) after the nitrite and ammonia
starts to settle.

can get some hermit crabs, a few snails, and maybe a clown fish or something
once ammonia is gone.

and test PH, and Alkalinity(DKH), and test calcium.

once you get the calcium, dkh, ph, and nitrates stabilized, your good for
corals........

hard corals will need atleast 150 watts of halide or power compacts, soft
corals like mushrooms will not need as much light as hard corals.

keep the fish population down, like 2-5 fish max if you want corals, and
you dont even have to buy fish until your get your water stabilized, would
actually be best, but not mandatory.

what size are your two tanks? maybe you can make one of them into a
refugium filter.

wolfhedd.





"KerplunKuK" > wrote in message
...
> I am new to marine aquaria, and would like some basic help if possible.
> I have at present two tropical aquaria, but would like to set-up a marine
> aquarium.
> I have been advised many different things by my two local aquarium
centres.
> Please can anyone advise me on the correct procedures to take.
> I understand I need a quite large tank for marine life, however nobody has
> clarified what large is. Can anybody give me an ideal in size or gallons
> for the smallest tank which would be deemed suitable.
> I understand that I then need heaters, lights and a protein skimmer. Is a
> protein skimmer the only filtration I need? If not what else is needed,
> biological filters? I see from looking at skimmers they vary alot in
price
> from £20ish to £150ish. I see the amount of water they filter varies but
> what else should I look for?
> Am I missing anything or is that all I need apart from water, salt, sand
and
> coral pre fish?
> All advice and recommendations will be gratefully received. Plus any
> recommendations of equipment or online shops for UK delivery is also
> appreciated.
>
> I am a total newbie, so please go easy on me.
>
> Thanks
>
>

[David Scott]

This just in! Field correspondent "wolfhedd" reports this latest
development!

>U need a lot more than that.
>
>tank
>stand

Unless you've got something that will support the weight. I have heard
that not using the manufacturers stand voids the warrenty on the tank,
but I've not had any problems using bookshelves, cinderblocks, etc.

>lights
>powerheads(2-3)

again, maybe. depending on what other filtration you have, you may not
need them.

>filter

There's a myraid of them out there. Lots of ways to go. Cannister,
undergravel, or hang off the back of the tank.

>chemicals

If by chemicals, "Wolfhedd" means some type of water conditioner, such
as NOVAQUA (my favorite) then I agree, but other "chemicals" shouldn't
be necessary.

>professional reputable marine salt
>ReverseOsmosis water
>skimmer

Again, not "REQUIRED". There are "bio-wheel" filters that eliminate
the ammonia, and if you're going to have live rock, you probably can
get away without one. (I do)

>test kits
>and start off slowly acquiring knowledge.

Completely agree. And keep in mind that you will probably get as many
"This is what you NEED!!!!!" as people you talk to.
>
>on the tank, a 30 gallon is almost minimal but can only work in the
>experienced hand.
>i would get a 60 gallon if i was you, cause its the cheapest minimal size
>for beginners if they want good results.
>
>suppose you got a 60 gal,
>a filter
>mixed the water, and started cycling your tank using a big fat store bought
>shrimp to create the bacteria and ammonia.(ask around for this, cause im not
>sure which one u need to buy)

you should put water in the tank, and some food and let it run for a
couple of weeks with no critters. The food will decay, and start the
ammonia/nitrate/nitre cycle. (Just add the food once). Then after a
couple of weeks, see how the levels are, and then drop the shrimp in.

>then you bought some marine sugar fine sand, and some aragonite sand and
>mixed it up, or didnt mix it, either way, and made a 2 inch deep sand bed on
>the bottom of your tank.

Again, you don't necessarily need sand. You can use various other
substrates.

>start your cycling
>test for ammonia and nitrite
>test for nitrate
>get some cured live rock and stock your tank,
>test for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.
>next get the lights on, some halides or power compacts, ONLY IN THE PROPER
>SPECTRUM.
>now your system is cycled, and has light.
>get a Remora Protien Skimmer if you want the best working one from what i
>hear, start it up.

You hear? Hmmm.....

>buy some dkh calcium buffer and some kent turbo calcium or some techCB, or
>just use baking soda at the rate of 1 teaspoon per 10 gallons every day to
>raise the ph and alkalinity, you need to be testing for those two as well
>now daily into say twice weekly when it starts to stabilize.

Again, I've never added chemicals to raise levels. I did try some
stuff once to get rid of "red" algae, but then I learned it was part
of the "cycle".

>test ammonia, should be going down towards 0, test for nitrite, should be
>present, then start testing just nitrates(NO3) after the nitrite and ammonia
>starts to settle.
>
>can get some hermit crabs, a few snails, and maybe a clown fish or something
>once ammonia is gone.
>
>and test PH, and Alkalinity(DKH), and test calcium.
>
>once you get the calcium, dkh, ph, and nitrates stabilized, your good for
>corals........
>
>hard corals will need atleast 150 watts of halide or power compacts, soft
>corals like mushrooms will not need as much light as hard corals.
>
> keep the fish population down, like 2-5 fish max if you want corals, and
>you dont even have to buy fish until your get your water stabilized, would
>actually be best, but not mandatory.
>
>what size are your two tanks? maybe you can make one of them into a
>refugium filter.
>
>wolfhedd.
>
Well, Wolfhedd describe one way to do it, I added another (well, some
suggestions anyway). Get a book or two and READ, go to About.com and
read.

Then make some informed decisions and - GOOD LUCK!!


Deus benedicat vestrum quamvis.
Dave.

[wolfhedd]

Yep dave is definetly right also. I usually give advice to what i like
particularly in a marine aquarium, like fine sand, etc.... its all
prefernce. i was giving you my whole perspective on what i thought would
give you a clear cut idead of where to go, and you can change things along
the way if you like, but try to learn the technical side of things before
you make any changes in choice away from the norm. And about the protien
skimmer isnt the remora one of the best? not sure, never had one, always
heard they were the best. Guess its all in the way your tank is setup and
how good you have the skimmer adjusted and how much crud is actually in need
of skimming. so hes right, you dont really need a skimmer. oh, and the
shrimp you use, i found out. you would want to use about 3-4 store bought
fat cocktail shrimp. Oh, and if your wondering why i would recommend a
product like the remora when i havent even used it, is because noone likes
to start off with a mistake and i wish i had purchased that one a long time
ago as i am in need of a good skimmer still. i am managing to keep my water
params good even with a dual airstone self made skimmer(out of a 2 inch wide
fish vacuum tube and some airline hose).

wolfhedd
..
"David Scott" > wrote in message
...
> This just in! Field correspondent "wolfhedd" reports this latest
> development!
>
> >U need a lot more than that.
> >
> >tank
> >stand
>
> Unless you've got something that will support the weight. I have heard
> that not using the manufacturers stand voids the warrenty on the tank,
> but I've not had any problems using bookshelves, cinderblocks, etc.
>
> >lights
> >powerheads(2-3)
>
> again, maybe. depending on what other filtration you have, you may not
> need them.
>
> >filter
>
> There's a myraid of them out there. Lots of ways to go. Cannister,
> undergravel, or hang off the back of the tank.
>
> >chemicals
>
> If by chemicals, "Wolfhedd" means some type of water conditioner, such
> as NOVAQUA (my favorite) then I agree, but other "chemicals" shouldn't
> be necessary.
>
> >professional reputable marine salt
> >ReverseOsmosis water
> >skimmer
>
> Again, not "REQUIRED". There are "bio-wheel" filters that eliminate
> the ammonia, and if you're going to have live rock, you probably can
> get away without one. (I do)
>
> >test kits
> >and start off slowly acquiring knowledge.
>
> Completely agree. And keep in mind that you will probably get as many
> "This is what you NEED!!!!!" as people you talk to.
> >
> >on the tank, a 30 gallon is almost minimal but can only work in the
> >experienced hand.
> >i would get a 60 gallon if i was you, cause its the cheapest minimal size
> >for beginners if they want good results.
> >
> >suppose you got a 60 gal,
> >a filter
> >mixed the water, and started cycling your tank using a big fat store
bought
> >shrimp to create the bacteria and ammonia.(ask around for this, cause im
not
> >sure which one u need to buy)
>
> you should put water in the tank, and some food and let it run for a
> couple of weeks with no critters. The food will decay, and start the
> ammonia/nitrate/nitre cycle. (Just add the food once). Then after a
> couple of weeks, see how the levels are, and then drop the shrimp in.
>
> >then you bought some marine sugar fine sand, and some aragonite sand and
> >mixed it up, or didnt mix it, either way, and made a 2 inch deep sand bed
on
> >the bottom of your tank.
>
> Again, you don't necessarily need sand. You can use various other
> substrates.
>
> >start your cycling
> >test for ammonia and nitrite
> >test for nitrate
> >get some cured live rock and stock your tank,
> >test for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.
> >next get the lights on, some halides or power compacts, ONLY IN THE
PROPER
> >SPECTRUM.
> >now your system is cycled, and has light.
> >get a Remora Protien Skimmer if you want the best working one from what i
> >hear, start it up.
>
> You hear? Hmmm.....
>
> >buy some dkh calcium buffer and some kent turbo calcium or some techCB,
or
> >just use baking soda at the rate of 1 teaspoon per 10 gallons every day
to
> >raise the ph and alkalinity, you need to be testing for those two as well
> >now daily into say twice weekly when it starts to stabilize.
>
> Again, I've never added chemicals to raise levels. I did try some
> stuff once to get rid of "red" algae, but then I learned it was part
> of the "cycle".
>
> >test ammonia, should be going down towards 0, test for nitrite, should be
> >present, then start testing just nitrates(NO3) after the nitrite and
ammonia
> >starts to settle.
> >
> >can get some hermit crabs, a few snails, and maybe a clown fish or
something
> >once ammonia is gone.
> >
> >and test PH, and Alkalinity(DKH), and test calcium.
> >
> >once you get the calcium, dkh, ph, and nitrates stabilized, your good for
> >corals........
> >
> >hard corals will need atleast 150 watts of halide or power compacts, soft
> >corals like mushrooms will not need as much light as hard corals.
> >
> > keep the fish population down, like 2-5 fish max if you want corals, and
> >you dont even have to buy fish until your get your water stabilized,
would
> >actually be best, but not mandatory.
> >
> >what size are your two tanks? maybe you can make one of them into a
> >refugium filter.
> >
> >wolfhedd.
> >
> Well, Wolfhedd describe one way to do it, I added another (well, some
> suggestions anyway). Get a book or two and READ, go to About.com and
> read.
>
> Then make some informed decisions and - GOOD LUCK!!
>
>
> Deus benedicat vestrum quamvis.
> Dave.

[David Scott]

This just in! Field correspondent "wolfhedd" reports this latest
development!

>Yep dave is definetly right also. I usually give advice to what i like
>particularly in a marine aquarium, like fine sand, etc.... its all
>prefernce. i was giving you my whole perspective on what i thought would
>give you a clear cut idead of where to go, and you can change things along
>the way if you like, but try to learn the technical side of things before
>you make any changes in choice away from the norm. And about the protien
>skimmer isnt the remora one of the best? not sure, never had one, always
>heard they were the best. Guess its all in the way your tank is setup and
>how good you have the skimmer adjusted and how much crud is actually in need
>of skimming. so hes right, you dont really need a skimmer. oh, and the
>shrimp you use, i found out. you would want to use about 3-4 store bought
>fat cocktail shrimp. Oh, and if your wondering why i would recommend a
>product like the remora when i havent even used it, is because noone likes
>to start off with a mistake and i wish i had purchased that one a long time
>ago as i am in need of a good skimmer still. i am managing to keep my water
>params good even with a dual airstone self made skimmer(out of a 2 inch wide
>fish vacuum tube and some airline hose).
>
A DIY skimmer. Good for you!

Cocktail shrimp? YUMMY!! They're in the freezer section at the local
grocery store!


Deus benedicat vestrum quamvis.
Dave.

[wolfhedd]

ya but is it a good idea? lol. is the limitation of my knowledge obvious or
something? lol

wolfhedd.
..
"David Scott" > wrote in message
...
> This just in! Field correspondent "wolfhedd" reports this latest
> development!
>
> >Yep dave is definetly right also. I usually give advice to what i like
> >particularly in a marine aquarium, like fine sand, etc.... its all
> >prefernce. i was giving you my whole perspective on what i thought would
> >give you a clear cut idead of where to go, and you can change things
along
> >the way if you like, but try to learn the technical side of things before
> >you make any changes in choice away from the norm. And about the protien
> >skimmer isnt the remora one of the best? not sure, never had one, always
> >heard they were the best. Guess its all in the way your tank is setup and
> >how good you have the skimmer adjusted and how much crud is actually in
need
> >of skimming. so hes right, you dont really need a skimmer. oh, and the
> >shrimp you use, i found out. you would want to use about 3-4 store
bought
> >fat cocktail shrimp. Oh, and if your wondering why i would recommend a
> >product like the remora when i havent even used it, is because noone
likes
> >to start off with a mistake and i wish i had purchased that one a long
time
> >ago as i am in need of a good skimmer still. i am managing to keep my
water
> >params good even with a dual airstone self made skimmer(out of a 2 inch
wide
> >fish vacuum tube and some airline hose).
> >
> A DIY skimmer. Good for you!
>
> Cocktail shrimp? YUMMY!! They're in the freezer section at the local
> grocery store!
>
>
> Deus benedicat vestrum quamvis.
> Dave.

[Waffleman]

The most important thing you need before you buy anything else is a good
book!
After that you need a couple hundred bucks ( or pounds) for the equipment.
I run a 29Gallon tank, and spent already over $300 in the past 6 months. And
I already had the tank, stand, PC lighting, heater and a filter.

I like to think that a 29G is a nice size to start with ( 30"x12"x18").

HTH
Waffleman




"KerplunKuK" > wrote in message
...
> I am new to marine aquaria, and would like some basic help if possible.
> I have at present two tropical aquaria, but would like to set-up a marine
> aquarium.
> I have been advised many different things by my two local aquarium
centres.
> Please can anyone advise me on the correct procedures to take.
> I understand I need a quite large tank for marine life, however nobody has
> clarified what large is. Can anybody give me an ideal in size or gallons
> for the smallest tank which would be deemed suitable.
> I understand that I then need heaters, lights and a protein skimmer. Is a
> protein skimmer the only filtration I need? If not what else is needed,
> biological filters? I see from looking at skimmers they vary alot in
price
> from £20ish to £150ish. I see the amount of water they filter varies but
> what else should I look for?
> Am I missing anything or is that all I need apart from water, salt, sand
and
> coral pre fish?
> All advice and recommendations will be gratefully received. Plus any
> recommendations of equipment or online shops for UK delivery is also
> appreciated.
>
> I am a total newbie, so please go easy on me.
>
> Thanks
>
>