FishKeepingBanter.com - View Single Post

**George Patterson** · September 12th 06, 12:34 AM posted to rec.aquaria.marine.reefs

wrote:

I have wanted to do sal****er for a couple of years. After a recent
promotion I think I might actually be able to afford it. I was hoping to
get some ideas. I have an available 39 Gallon tank (Same footprint as a 29
just taller). I would like to use what I have simply because I want to see
how this goes before I sink to much money into it.

Treat it as a 29 gallon tank for all practical purposes. The most important
aspect of marine tanks is the amount of surface area, so a tall tank is "bigger."

What I am thinking of doing is using the current tank to start out then
moving up in size when money permits. I would like to go to 90 or 120 then
I could use the current tank as a sump. I would love to hear suggestions on
the best way to go. Also your opinions of my "master plan" would be
appreciated. The only other specific that i would like to address is wether
my biowheel filtration will be enough.

To a certain extent, larger tanks require less work and are more successful than
smaller ones. Your filtration will be woefully inadequate, IMO.

You also should decide which way you want to take this. There are three basic
marine setups; fish-only, fish-only with live rock, and reef.

Having just read "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist: A Commonsense Handbook for
Successful Sal****er Hobbyists", by Robert M. Fenner, I would recommend that as
a good place to start researching. The old standard text used to be "The Marine
Aquarium in Theory and Practice", by Cliff Emmens. My copy is very dated, and I
don't know how up-to-date the latest edition is.

George Patterson
Coffee is only a way of stealing time that should by rights belong to
your slightly older self.