Have you always wanted a piece of the ocean but weren’t sure how to start?
We went over how we got into the saltwater hobby in this post.
But what if you want to get into it…and find Nemo.
My first suggestion is to Google. Learn as much as you can about saltwater aquariums.
This will help you determine what kind of tank setup you would like.
For beginners, we always recommend a Biocube or Nanocube. All of your filtration and lighting are built in, so the maintenance is lower and there is less guess work. These tanks let you get a taste of the commitment that goes into this hobby without getting in over your head.
If you are ready for something bigger we recommend going into a fish store and talking with an expert. There are a lot of things you have to consider, like the weight of a tank. How to care for the tank, and what lighting you will need. Even what fish get along together and how to care for corals. Research can help with all of this, but sometimes you just want to ask someone what would work best for you.
To find a fish store…you guessed it.
Once you have done all your research and know what tank set up you are wanting. You can sometimes find deals on full set-ups, tanks, lights, sumps, and even live rock on Mr. Craig and his list. We personally bought our tank from a store and bought everything else online. EIther through retail websites or Craiglist.
Now comes the important part…you wait.
Once you get your tank setup, full of saltwater and live rock…you wait. We will tell you more about the nitrogen cycle later this week, but you generally have to wait 3 to 6 weeks before you can start adding corals and fish to your tank. Bummer.
Once you have your water perameters in check, you can add fish and corals.
There are a lot of great resources and forums for any tank or livestock problems that you will inevitably face.
One thing to remember is that in this hobby everyone has an opinion. You will hear many things that work for one person that don’t work for someone else, and there is always going to be something new and exciting that you have to try. Just do your research and know what works for you.
If you ever have any questions you can always ask us!
