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Itay

Be sure to check out my blog!
itaysworld.com/blog

Click here to see my
180 gallon Reef Tank
WebCam!

Advice for salt water aquarium

I've always had tropical aquariums and now I think I'm ready to 'graduate' to a salt water tank.

Both my wife and I are avid scuba divers and I'd LOVE to be able to recreate a little bit of a coral reef in my living room.

Understanding that the cost and maintenance needs are both high, I wanted to ask for advice, recommendations, dos and don'ts, any experiences worth sharing? Equipment recommendations, tank specifications, filtering systems, best fish etc.

Thank you! Itay. 


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8414 answers
4543 helpful answers

Love is the battery of life....

Hi Itay,
Salt water aquarium is a great idea and opens fantastic options (colours, sizes.....) but please remember that:
1.  It is (as you mentioned) much   
     more expensive).
2.  Much more sensitive to all the
     factors (temp, salinity, .....).
3.  Much more sensitive to deseas.
4.  Needs much more care and
     attention.  That means you can't
     leave it for long time and ask a
     friend to feed them......
However, if you are ready to all that it's a great idea.
Best regards,

 
Posted 2008-01-05T06:18:00Z
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Rated #1 out of 9
 
79 answers
27 helpful answers

Be sure to check out my blog!
itaysworld.com/blog

Click here to see my
180 gallon Reef Tank
WebCam!

Thanks Oron,

Yep - have considered all those facts and I am ready :)

I have some books I have bought and read, but would like to tap into people's actual experience and not rely on a shop to recommend. Also debating whether to find some smaller shop, or look online rather than buying from one of the big pet store chains...

Anyone?? Thanks in advance. 
Posted 2008-01-05T09:23:32Z
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Rated #2 out of 9
 
104 answers
22 helpful answers

Get sand sifting Gobies for the cleaning  , learn about the compatibility of the fish . You can use

this tool to figure out the species.
Posted 2008-01-06T15:07:01Z
natans was invited by Yedda to answer this question.

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724 answers
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Free as a bird, it's the next best thing to be.
Free as a bird.

I just came across your question and if you are still interested in finding out some answers, I have an excellent site for you. I too was just starting out and had numerous questions regarding salt water aquariums. I found an extremely helpful link called Saltwater Aquarium Online Guide.

Good luck and I am sure you will enjoy.
Posted 2008-04-12T05:24:21Z
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Rated #4 out of 9
 
79 answers
27 helpful answers

Be sure to check out my blog!
itaysworld.com/blog

Click here to see my
180 gallon Reef Tank
WebCam!

Hi Taligat -

Thanks for your link and reply. 

What a coincidence - its interesting that you just found my answer and you're getting back to me today! I'm expecting a structural engineer in about 1 hour to determine what we need to do to support the 2200lbs (1000 kg) that I'm going to be adding to my living room.

After lots of investigation and asking around, I ended up purchasing a set up that will be delivered next week. Here are the details:

  • 180 Gallon glass tank (6 x 2 x 2 feet) with 2 cornerflows (681 liters - 183 x 61 x 61 cm)
  • 72" Aqualight Pro Retrofit Kit with timer
  • Hardwood cabinet and canopy
  • Pro Clear Flex 300
  • 2 300W Heaters
  • Bermuda 5C Protein Skimmer
  • Oceans Motions 4 way flow regulator
  • Mag Drive 9.5 Pond Pump
  • Reeflo Dart Pump 3600 GPH
  • 320 lbs of Atlantic Coral Sand (145 kg)
  • 150 lbs of Tonga Live Rock (68 kg)

I'm going to be curing the live rock in my tank so it will be about 2 months before I get any fish or inverts in there.

If you'd like to track my build, visit www.itaysworld.com/blog

Also, if you have pictures or links to your tank, I'd love to see it!

Thanks! 
Posted 2008-04-12T13:48:04Z
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Rated #5 out of 9
 

Saltwater tanks need more mainenance and equipment to operate. But the advantages can outweigh the cons. For example, saltwater fish are more exotic looking and beautiful. If you're not afraid of a little work, go for it.

Latest Reef Aquarium Science Guy
Posted 2008-08-24T20:08:11Z
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Rated #6 out of 9
 
79 answers
27 helpful answers

Be sure to check out my blog!
itaysworld.com/blog

Click here to see my
180 gallon Reef Tank
WebCam!

Thanks Overoceans,

I'm actually already past the cycling and curing of my live rock, and already have coral and fish in my tank. Appreciate you response!

If you're interested in seeing a live webcam of my reef tank, click http://reeftank.itaysworld.com

My question was posted before I got into reef keeping and since then I have jumped in with both feet and set up a 180 gallon tank.

Thanks again for your answer!
Posted 2008-08-24T21:14:42Z
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Rated #7 out of 9
 
79 answers
27 helpful answers

Be sure to check out my blog!
itaysworld.com/blog

Click here to see my
180 gallon Reef Tank
WebCam!

Thanks to all those who answered. Reef Keeping, while labor intensive and slightly more expensive than its close cousin - the fresh water aquarium - is a beautiful, worthwhile experience.

I refuse to call it a hobby, its more like a pet, a pet ecosystem, where the wellbeing of all sorts of organism depend on your diligent and close attention to detail, water quality, chemistry and balance.

The results are a beautiful window to the ocean in your own house!

 

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Posted 2008-08-24T21:25:15Z
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Rated #8 out of 9

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