What do i need to start i have nothing at all but the cash. im not wanting a reef tank. im thinking either a FO or FOWLR. Pros and cons of both of those would also be appreciated. i need to know step by step where to begin either way for the FO or FOWLR, im going to buy a 55 gallon tank. i have 10 years of freshwater fish experience and want to try something new and more of a challenge. Give me your ideas and your setups personal experiece prefered i have been reading alot but want some personal experience as well Thanks I will Choose best answer.

I ask this, because I see a lot of people who are beginner’s and are already interested in saltwater fish…
I have a little experience with freshwater. I have a successful 10 gallon tank, and am currently saving for a larger tank that will also be made into freshwater tropical. But eventually, after having more than one successful tank, and for awhile, I would like to attempt a saltwater.

So, for someone how has experience with freshwater, but is a beginner with saltwater, what would be the best setup? The best sized tank? The best filter or heater? Any extra items? The best and easiest fish to start with? Would a reef tank or a fish only tank be best? Anything else I should know?

I’m sure whoever wanted to, could write paragraphs worth of information. But I’m not asking for that. Just some basic info. Unless you want to give that much information anyway.

Thanks before hand!

I have a 29 gallon reef tank up for about 3 years and have 2 fish in there. a banggai cardinal and a helfrichi firefish. my firefish was very very expensive and don’t want to take a chance he might get hurt by any other fish but would like to add one more fish to my setup.
both of my current fish just hover in the water and I would like one that actually swims. any suggestions?
I don’t want a clown because they stay in the same area of the tank all the time and would like a fish that moves around more.
I have thought of a midas blenny but I have heard they nip at firefish in smaller tanks. I’m also considering a fairy or flasher wrasse. any thoughts on these or other SW reef safe fish that would not force my current fish into hiding or worse would be much appriciated.
I’m sorry but a tang get’s too big for a 29 gallon tank

An Upside Down Jellyfish and a Cuttlefish, they are both reef compatible and coral compatible, but are they compatible with each other?? I have a 37 gallon tank (just got it, has’nt been setup yet). And the species of cuttlefish im talking about is the smaller one, the one that stays small.
Upside down jellyfish are compleatly reef safe, unlike most jellyfish thay can be kept with other species, their tenticles are only strong enough to catch phytoplanton, they can also be ket in a rectangular tank. All I need to know is if these two can live in peace.

Hello! I think I’m finally ready to start taking on the responsibility of a salt water tank. I’ve been keeping tropical fish for quite some time and I told myself, if that went well, I’d try salt water. So… I have a 29 gallon tank. I know this isn’t the best size and the bigger the better, but I want to try this.

So can someone walk me through the process? The WHOLE process please?? lol.

And then just a couple questions…

I’ve heard that I do need a protein skimmer and that I don’t need a protein skimmer… Do I? And what does it actually do? Salt water books don’t explain much, I’ve found.

Same questions for power heads. Do I need one and what does it do?

How long should my tank sit before I start adding fish?

What kind of fish would be pretty to look at and easy (as easy as they come)?

And… live rock? Reef tank? What does it all mean?!?!

Thanks guys. I really want to do my reseach before I start this.
Hi again! Just so I don’t get repeat answers, I do know what the nitrogen cycle is.

And by "sit," I mean how long should I let my tank run once I have it set up? I know about nitrate, nitrite and ammonia, but when I start a fresh water tank, my water is clean (no ammonia, etc…). Is it different with saltwater? I’m a little confused…

But thank you so much BIGgourami. I’ll probably take you up on the email suggestion!

I really just need to know about the things that make saltwater different from freshwater.

here is my problem, i live in a house on the second floor, the seems to be atleast 40 years old or less, i have a 120 gallon tank and i want to place against the outer wall in my living room, with all the weight with the water and my reef setup im thinking roughly with stand and all close to around 1500 pounds, do you think my floor will support this weight or will my floor collapse, i need serious answers cause i dont want to fill it and find out the hard way

what is the amount of salt you add to a 29 gallon tank??
how do you build a reef?
i was thinking of a cute little fish like a royal gramma??
any other sugestions welcome??

I have a 10 gallon planted (freshwater) and an empty 5 gallon tank that i used for quarantine once in a while. i want to know wether i should leave the 10 alone and setup i a micro reef in the 5.or move the residents and contents of the 10 into the five and make the 10 saltwater?

in my 10 gal. i have 2 pearl gouramies, 2 neon tetras, 1 khulii loach, 1 chinese algea eater and al ot of snails. it is a moderatly planted tank. there used to be morefish but they died off (old age mostly). its beensetup for approx. 4 or 5 years now
i have between the two aquariums: 1 biowheel filter( bigger tank; currently running) 1 tetra filter (small; off) 2 thermometers. 1 light fixture with plant bulb 2 air pumps (both off) and a diy CO2 injection system (currently needing some work; disconnected)
i respect your opinion kookie050687and i have larger tanks but i am setting up a micro reef in other words a small tank. therefor 10 or 5 gallons. thank you for your opinion once again.