Marine aquarium setup

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

"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.

Everybody has their own style of doing things. When you start out stay
simple then tweak things your way.

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'd say for starting out you want to stay above 30 US gallons. Anything
smaller requires lots of attention & when things go wrong it will happen
faster & more severly with a smaller tank.

I understand that I then need heaters, lights and a protein skimmer. Is a
protein skimmer the only filtration I need?

Protein skimmer removes organics - it's not really "filtration"

If not what else is needed,
biological filters?

Go with Live Rock & Live sand as you major source of filtration.

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?

Skimmers will vary in price for sure. I built my skimmer for about $12 (it's
a DIY Beckett) & sold my Remora Pro (a $230 skimmer) & mine works better
than the Store bought one.

Am I missing anything or is that all I need apart from water, salt, sand
and
coral pre fish?

Buy some books & read, read, & read some more. There is so much info & so
much to learn.

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

Here is a good source of info for a beginner. I found this read very
helpful when I began a few years back. There may be a few new things
out there but you will find them out as you go. For now
Read, Read, Read. Try here first; It has a lot of very good basic info.
http://community.webtv.net/deflizard/doc

Keep it simple to start. You can add things later as you go and your
knowledge increases. You will find the good people that read this NG
are very helpful and knowledgeable. Don't be afraid to ask a question.

Todd

Thanks for that, I will do
"TW" wrote in message
...
Here is a good source of info for a beginner. I found this read very
helpful when I began a few years back. There may be a few new things
out there but you will find them out as you go. For now
Read, Read, Read. Try here first; It has a lot of very good basic info.
http://community.webtv.net/deflizard/doc

Keep it simple to start. You can add things later as you go and your
knowledge increases. You will find the good people that read this NG
are very helpful and knowledgeable. Don't be afraid to ask a question.

Todd

Everybody has their own style of doing things. When you start out stay
simple then tweak things your way.


Agreed.

I'd say for starting out you want to stay above 30 US gallons. Anything
smaller requires lots of attention & when things go wrong it will happen
faster & more severly with a smaller tank.

Agreed, I went 55g for my first tank, and only went to a nano(at my office)
after I was comfortable with reefing.

Protein skimmer removes organics - it's not really "filtration"

I don't use a skimmer, haven't used one ion over a year in either of my
tanks.

Go with Live Rock & Live sand as you major source of filtration.

Yup.

Buy some books & read, read, & read some more. There is so much info & so
much to learn.

There is one more MAJOR thing that you need...PATIENCE.

hth

--
Harald
130 g Skimmerless SW Tank
290 lbs/6" DSB
70 lbs LR
3 B/G Chromis, 1 Tomato Clown, 1 Lawnmower Blenny, 1 Flame Angel, 1 Foxface.

20 gal Skimmerless SW Nano
80 lbs/6" DSB
31 lbs LR,
1 - 3-Striped damsel, 1 Blue Devil, 1 sm. Tang

There is one more MAJOR thing that you need...PATIENCE.

hth

Oh yeah, I forgot about that I'm still working on the patience thing.
But I getting it down. I'm trying to be persistent in my patience!
Steve


"Harald" wrote in message
news:LlSnb.77452$EO3.60586@clgrps13...
Everybody has their own style of doing things. When you start out stay
simple then tweak things your way.


Agreed.

I'd say for starting out you want to stay above 30 US gallons. Anything
smaller requires lots of attention & when things go wrong it will happen
faster & more severly with a smaller tank.

Agreed, I went 55g for my first tank, and only went to a nano(at my
office)
after I was comfortable with reefing.

Protein skimmer removes organics - it's not really "filtration"

I don't use a skimmer, haven't used one ion over a year in either of my
tanks.

Go with Live Rock & Live sand as you major source of filtration.

Yup.

Buy some books & read, read, & read some more. There is so much info &
so
much to learn.

There is one more MAJOR thing that you need...PATIENCE.

hth

--
Harald
130 g Skimmerless SW Tank
290 lbs/6" DSB
70 lbs LR
3 B/G Chromis, 1 Tomato Clown, 1 Lawnmower Blenny, 1 Flame Angel, 1
Foxface.

20 gal Skimmerless SW Nano
80 lbs/6" DSB
31 lbs LR,
1 - 3-Striped damsel, 1 Blue Devil, 1 sm. Tang