Aquavette2k1
12/28/2008, 08:33 PM
Alright,
I've had experience with regular fresh water aquariums for years. They are fine but after a while they just get dull (at least to my eyes).
So after about 3 months of reading, going to book stores, the library, and local fish shops, I've decided I want to start a salt water reef aquarium. I've had experience with fresh water setup's but I've clearly come to understand that fresh water is nothing like salt water, literally.
I currently have a 29 gallon tall glass aquarium and stand recycled from my fresh water tank. That is the only piece of equipment I have planned on keeping either as a sump or as my main tank. With that in mind, I'm seeking some recommendations.
Questions:
1. Should I purchase a 55 to 100 gallon new tank?
2. Is there a brand recommendation that anyone has excellent luck with?
3. With a 55+ gallon tank is the cost of a RO/DI system worth purchasing or should i be buying water from the local store for .89 gallon?
4. As a novice should I attempt a setup with a sump?
5. After selection of a tank + stand, is the RO/DI system a logically purchase?
6. (Big question: I'm intended to do this for the long haul) Are there advantages from starting COMPLETELY from scratch (i.e. doing everything your self)?
7. If starting from complete scratch is not a bad idea, where is a good starting place?
I know the last two questions are loaded but I want to learn as much as possible. I really want to do as much of it by myself (with suggestions) as possible, but I do realize that some things are just not practical.
I've had experience with regular fresh water aquariums for years. They are fine but after a while they just get dull (at least to my eyes).
So after about 3 months of reading, going to book stores, the library, and local fish shops, I've decided I want to start a salt water reef aquarium. I've had experience with fresh water setup's but I've clearly come to understand that fresh water is nothing like salt water, literally.
I currently have a 29 gallon tall glass aquarium and stand recycled from my fresh water tank. That is the only piece of equipment I have planned on keeping either as a sump or as my main tank. With that in mind, I'm seeking some recommendations.
Questions:
1. Should I purchase a 55 to 100 gallon new tank?
2. Is there a brand recommendation that anyone has excellent luck with?
3. With a 55+ gallon tank is the cost of a RO/DI system worth purchasing or should i be buying water from the local store for .89 gallon?
4. As a novice should I attempt a setup with a sump?
5. After selection of a tank + stand, is the RO/DI system a logically purchase?
6. (Big question: I'm intended to do this for the long haul) Are there advantages from starting COMPLETELY from scratch (i.e. doing everything your self)?
7. If starting from complete scratch is not a bad idea, where is a good starting place?
I know the last two questions are loaded but I want to learn as much as possible. I really want to do as much of it by myself (with suggestions) as possible, but I do realize that some things are just not practical.