markb@ihlpg.UUCP (Blumemthal) (01/01/86)
I presently have two freshwater aquariums, and I am interested in starting a Saltwater aquarium. Can anyone give me info on how to get started, a good book(s) for reference, and a good size tank to get started? I have a few more questions: What is an approximate cost for a set- up, and is it possible to go on a week vacation and leave the aquarium unattended for that length of time? Mark Blumenthal ihlpg!markb (312) 979-3676
kerry@ctvax (01/03/86)
Marine tanks are very different from freshwater aquariums. I have had a 30 gallon and presently own a 55 gallon. The biggest problem with marine animals and aquariums is that the creatures are not very adaptable to rapidly changing conditions. This is obvious considering the size of the body of water they reside in naturally. So, in considering a tank size, it is best to purchase the largest one that you can afford. This is taking into consideration that water quality changes occur more slowly in a larger volume of water. I have read books that tell you not to even try anything below a 30 gallon. This may be good advice, but if you are very careful, a smaller tank may be used. I have kept several anemones, crabs and two Atlantic Seahorses in a 10 gallon tank. Your best bet is to start out with a larger tank until you become more skill- ful in marine biology. As far as costs go, the larger the tank the more expensive everything will be. I have invested about $250.00 for my 55 gallon, and I consider this a miracle in itself. I practically bought everything on sale or at a ridiculously low price. The tank for instance was only $99.00. A pet store chain here in Texas had made a major purchase of these 55 gallon tanks, hence the low price. Compare this with $149.00 I paid for my 45 gallon freshwater tank a year ago. I would say if you got out for under $300.00 for a 30+ gallon size set-up, you would be doing great. As far as good books, read everything you can get your hands on. Almost every author has had a different experience or new ideas. Some good ones to start out with are: "The Marine Aquarium in Theory and Practice" by Dr. Cliff W. Emmens; "Marine Aquarium Guide" by Frank de Graaf; and Saltwater Aquarium Fish by Dr. Herbert R. Axelrod and Warren E. Burgess. As far as care, the marine aquarium requires a lot more than the freshwater. A dead animal that has gone unnoticed or that died while you were away could pollute the water and cause serious problems. If you are given to week-long excursions quite frequently, you might train a neighbor, spouse etc., in the maintenance of the aquarium. If you have any more questions, feel free to send them by E-mail. Kerry Williams ctvax!kerry
ingrid@pilchuckDataio.UUCP (the Real Swede) (01/08/86)
> > I presently have two freshwater aquariums, and I am interested in > starting a Saltwater aquarium. > > Can anyone give me info on how to get started, a good book(s) for > reference, and a good size tank to get started? > > I have a few more questions: What is an approximate cost for a set- > up, and is it possible to go on a week vacation and leave the > aquarium unattended for that length of time? > > Mark Blumenthal *** REPLACE THIS LINE WITH YOUR FISH STORY tRY a ten gallon tank for starters. Get a couple of Clown fish; they're beautiful and fairly hardy (I'm talking saltwater stuff). Go to your local reputable Fish store; one that has LOTS of salt water fish, and a store that's been around for awhile. They're the best data source. I definitely would NOT recommend leaving your fish --at least salt water types--for a week at a time. Those cheapy "feeder blocks" you can buy are just that--cheap and not too healthy.
ingrid@pilchuckDataio.UUCP (the Real Swede) (01/08/86)
> > I presently have two freshwater aquariums, and I am interested in > > starting a Saltwater aquarium. > > Can anyone give me info on how to get started, a good book(s) for > > reference, and a good size tank to get started? > > Mark Blumenthal > > *** REPLACE THIS LINE WITH YOUR FISH STORY > tRY a ten gallon tank for starters. Get a couple of Clown fish; > they're beautiful and fairly hardy (I'm talking saltwater stuff). > *** REPLACE THIS LINE WITH YOUR BLOOPER oOPS---i said "10-gallon" but I meant 45 gallon---guess all this working's finally getting to the old brain cells. A bigger tank will be more merciful--things aren't as concentrated.
simmons@pilchuckDataio.UUCP (Gerry Simmons) (01/08/86)
> I presently have two freshwater aquariums, and I am interested in > starting a Saltwater aquarium. > I have a few more questions: What is an approximate cost for a set- > up, and is it possible to go on a week vacation and leave the > aquarium unattended for that length of time? > Can anyone give me info on how to get started, a good book(s) for > reference, and a good size tank to get started? I'd like to put my customary plug in for saltwater tanks. Once you've sucessfully maintained a saltwater tank, freshwater will seem dull and boring. There are A LOT more animals other than fish that you can have in a marine tank: shrimp, crabs, starfish, sea urchins, and anemones just to name a few. The other thing you will notice about marine fish is that they have so much more personality than fresh water fishes. At night some of them sleep in a little cave or hole that they decide to call home. Other like Clown Anemone fished form partnerships with other animals for protection. Marine tanks are much more of a challenge but they are so much more rewarding than fresh water. You should think about starting with nothing smaller than a 30gal tank. I have a 45gal, it's dimensions are 1' x 1 1/2' x 4'. It's perfect for the beginner marine tank. Smaller tanks are more suseptable to sudden imbalances in water chemistry and can really cause you problem. I priced out a 45gal setup for a guy here at work. It costs about $400 for everything but the coral decorations. Coral can cost antwhere from $6 to $25 a piece. I figgured on about $75 for coral. The animals can cost a ton of money, the cheapest being $5 for very common fish to hundreds of dollars for more rare breeds. Figure on about $15 - $20 per animal as a ball park figure. As far as leaving a marine tank while on vacation, the shorter the vacation the better. If you train someone to come in and feed your fish every other day or so, you could leave it for 3 weeks without a problem. Only a reasonably old ( 6 months ) stable tank should be left. I know of a really good hanbook ($12), if you write to me I can send you the title and author. I would highly recommend getting into marine tanks. They're a ton of fun and challenging to the avid aquariast. If you'd like some more info drop me a line. Gerry Simmons 14155 177th Ave N.E. Redmond, Wa. 98052 (206) 827-3276 path = uw-beaver!entropy!dataio!pilchuck!simmons
chuq@sun.uucp (Chuq Von Rospach) (01/09/86)
> > I presently have two freshwater aquariums, and I am interested in > > starting a Saltwater aquarium. > > > > Can anyone give me info on how to get started, a good book(s) for > > reference, and a good size tank to get started? > > > > I have a few more questions: What is an approximate cost for a set- > > up, and is it possible to go on a week vacation and leave the > > aquarium unattended for that length of time? > > tRY a ten gallon tank for starters. Get a couple of Clown fish; > they're beautiful and fairly hardy (I'm talking saltwater stuff). > > Go to your local reputable Fish store; one that has LOTS of salt > water fish, and a store that's been around for awhile. They're the > best data source. > > I definitely would NOT recommend leaving your fish --at least salt > water types--for a week at a time. Those cheapy "feeder blocks" > you can buy are just that--cheap and not too healthy. I definitely disagree with the small tank idea -- salt water fish are unbelievably sensitive to water changes. I ran a 55 gallon salt for about a year and finally gave it up because I simply couldn't keep the water good enough in the time I had. I'm now back to freshwater. Small tanks are for experts. The more water you have, the safer it will be. I would recommend AT LEAST 100 gallons for a first tank. As far as cost: Even though I already had a complete 55 gallon freshwater setup, I ended up running a bill for over $200 to convert it to salt -- this included a new UG filter, power heads, a Magnum pwer filter (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for fresh or salt) and things like water test gear, salt, my initial coral (this gets REAL expensive and I ended up buying a fair amount more before I was done), salt, etc... My total investment over a year sans fish ran $350, more or less (a lot of it is in use for my fresh tank now, fortunately). Cost of fish is significant. Stocking a $55 can run you an easy $100. My tank usually had a Lionfish (about $25), a tang or two ($10-15) and a few damsels ($5). If you want inverts, plan on a special invert tank. Saltwater fish require active feeding. Live food once a week doesn't do it. Tangs require lots of vegetable material, and that stuff needs to be removed after a few hours. Lionfish really want live food (plan for a 2.5 gallon feeder tank somewhere and live goldfish). You can't just use flake food or feeder blocks, you have to spend time to make sure your fish eat. I'm not trying to talk anyone out of a salt tank. I miss the color that you just don't get in a fresh tank, but you need to be willing to make the maintenance of your fish your priority. I simply didn't have the time. Before you make the investment (and you ARE making an investment here) make sure you're going to be able to keep it going. -- :From catacombs of Castle Tarot: Chuq Von Rospach sun!chuq@decwrl.DEC.COM {hplabs,ihnp4,nsc,pyramid}!sun!chuq It's not looking, it's heat seeking.
sasaki@harvard.UUCP (Marty Sasaki) (01/11/86)
I have found that marine aquariums are not any harder to maintain than
freshwather aquariums, only different. There is also a hidden cost to
marine aquariums, and that is the cost of running them.
I don't use undergravel filters anymore, not since I discovered
external biological filters. These consist of a large sand or foam
external filter. For my 100 gallon tank, I use a 10 gallon tank as an
external filter. It is half filled with foam.
The main problem with undergravel filters is that sooner or later they
get clogged and must be cleaned. There are also problems with water
not flowing evenly through the undergravel filter. Reverse flow
undergravel filters (which solve these problems) are expensive since
they are all based on expensive canister filters.
Anyone interested in such filters can send me mail. I will be happy to
talk at length about them.
The cost of running a marine aquarium may be very high. Marine
aquarium's require higher levels of filtration, more light, and
slightly higher temperature levels than freshwater set ups. Most
authorities recommend frequent partial water changes, and the salt
required to make these changes costs money too.
I am not trying to discourage marine aquarium keeping, just trying to
help avoid surprises.
Once a tank is set up and healthy, I don't mind leaving it for even
extended periods of time. I have had friends who don't mind coming in
and checking on things and feeding the fish. The only extra thing that
I had them do was to top off the tank as evaporation lowered the
level.
Lot's of interesting things have happened in my marine aquariums. I
had one carpet anenome split in half and produce two anemones. My
Achilles Tang never stopped swimming (at least I never saw it stop
swimming). Before I realized that crustaceans of all types were the
favorite snack of trigger's, I watched in horror as my new Picasso
trigger neatly ate half of a banded shrimp, and then circled around
and ate the other half. This same trigger jumped out of the tank and
layed on the floor for about 30 minues before I realized that he had
jumped. When I finally found him, he gave me a little bite when I
picked him up and tossed him back into the tank.
--
----------------
Marty Sasaki net: sasaki@harvard.{arpa,uucp}
Havard University Science Center phone: 617-495-1270
One Oxford Street
Cambridge, MA 02138hansen@convexs.UUCP (01/12/86)
Setting up a marine aquarium is a womderful experience. Don't let
anyone frighten you with their horror stories. The people who tell
these tales never took the time to learn about it and therefore
failed. The single most important thing that you need is a collection
of good books (ignore almost anything published by T.F.H. and
everything written by Herbert Axelrod). I highly recommend The Marine
Aquarium Handbook by Martin Moe as well as The Marine
Aquarium:Science,Animals and Art. The next step is to find a dealer
in your area that you can trust. Beware of any dealer in a shopping
mall; they rarely have the knowledge to properly set up even a gold
fish bowl properly.
With regards to equipment, always purchase the best quality equipment
that you can afford. Take it from me, in my nine years in the hobby I
have purchased a lot of junk and that is the stuff that does nothing
but take up an inordinate amount of space in my closet. Purchase a
good quality undergravel filter (i.e. Aquology or Perfecto), one or
more air pumps (I highly recomend the new Tetra Luft Pump), good
heater such as a Supreme or E.C.L., and a reliable outside power
filter such as the Magnum made by Marineland. It may cost more in the
begining, but you won't regret it ten years from now.
The answer to the best size of the tank may sound trite, but it's
accurate: the biggest that you can afford and have room for. I would
say that anything under a thirty would mean a lot of work and that a
seventy-five would be the optimum. If your willing to spend the extra
money, acrylic tanks are the optimum. They will never leak, have less
distortion, and are as light as a feather (you haven't lived until
you've had to move a two-hundred gallon all glass tank).
A good ball park estimate on price is about eight dollars a gallon for
a basic set-up. I strongly encourage you to get involved in the hobby
and I will be more than happy to help you in any way that I can. If
you will tell me were you live in your reply, I will try to find out
about good aquarium shops in your vicinity.
A marine aquarium nut,
Ken