okies, i have a 38gal tank that i would really like to set up as a marine. i have a few bits of info, but generally need everything told to me very simply!
the thing that really puzzles me is the salt bit. how much salt do you put in per gal?
also, what kinda temp is preferable? (deg C if poss).
please tell me everything!!!!!!!

Is that 38 US gals? Sorry, I dont know the conversion rate, but with marine salt it is generally 1/2 cup per gallon. Make sure the salt you use is for marine tanks, not just regular aquarium salt. Usually it is buffered, too, which raises your pH. Marine fish need a pH of about 8.3-8.4. If your pH is not staying that high you will need to add a commercial buffer, too.

Anyway, to get the tank set up you will need about 40-50 pounds of crushed coral sand or gravel. Keep in mind you dont want to use regular sand, you want the crushed shells and coral because that is also a pH buffer.

You will also need about 40 pounds of live rock. This is by far your biggest expense but it is necessary for your tank. I think we talked about it before, but it will cycle your tank pretty much instantly.

You will also need a heater. They need the water to stay heated at about 80º F. Sorry I dont know what it is in C.

Are you planning on making this a fish only system, or were you going to have corals eventually too? If you want to do corals, you will need a very expensive lighting system, and they are hard to care for. I would suggest keeping it fish only (including inverts such as hermits and snails too) for now.

Filtration is your choice. Some people use only a protein skimmer, some use a protein skimmer and power filter, or just power filter. Since I only have fish and inverts I have two power filters on my tank. You want them for mechanical filtration only, not biofiltration. The live rock is your biofilter. You will also want a couple small powerheads. Lots of movement and circulation is really important. You may want a small one on either side. Just experiment with it and move them around till you get a lot of movement.

Unlike freshwater you dont want nitrates. Your live rock contains both nitrifying and anaerobic bacteria. The anaerobic bacteria take up nitrates. Its still important to test for them regularly–if you have high nitrate readings, do a water change and cut back on feeding.

Finally, you will want a hydrometer, to measure the amount of salt in the water. There are several on the market and all are pretty similar. If you want to go a step beyond that you can get a refractometer, which is more accurate but more expensive.

And, dont add anything till everything is stable in your tank–no ammonia, nitrite or nitrate, stable pH, stable temp, stable amount of salt. Be sure to carefully research ANY animal you want to put in your tank. Many that are sold get very large or are very hard to keep. Some fish are venomous, so be careful for that.

I would advise against damsels, which are usually sold as starter fish. They get large and very aggressive. Clownfish would be fine but add no more than two TOTAL to the tank and add them both at the same time.

Anyway hope this helps, let me know if you need anything else.

THe tank needs to be about 25 degC.

Here's a good link: http://www.fishprofiles.net/faq/begin.asp

Oh and your tank is (give or take a gallon) 46 US gallons.



w/ this.

aw! thanks guys!! that was so helpful!!
okies, so 46 us gals.
jsrtist - sorry for being a pain, but how much is half a cup? is that like a coffee mug, or a glass?
um, and i have absolutely NO idea where to get the live rock etc from!!!
ooo, im gonna have to look into this!!

1 cup = 240 ml

ah! cheers hun!!
um, well ive been thinking, i know that ure suppost to put marines in a bigger tank, but i have a spare 12 that needs filling, and it would make more sence than filling my 38. would it be allright to do that? i think im right in asying that koko has a 12g marine?

Oh, Im sooooooo glad someone knows their conversions! I always did horribly at that in school. I knew it would come back to bite me someday.

You could certainly set up a small marine tank, or nano reef, like Kokos.

One more important thing I forgot to say that you cant overstate: when the water evaporates out, the salt DOES NOT. DO NOT top off the tank with saltwater; only top off with fresh water! In a smaller tank the water will evaporate and therefore the salt level will change much more drastically. Its even more important to keep up on topping off in a small tank.

Live rock can be found at any aquarium store that sells marine supplies. I suggest really doing your research and learning everything you need to know BEFORE going to the store. Every employee there will give you a different story. Know what you want when you go to get it and you will have much, much more success.

OOOH, you're making me want to set one up too. GAH.

yes, a nano reef is more what i think i am after!
so would i still need all of that stuff for a nano reef? sorry, i know im a right pain in the rear!

Yes I would still get live rock etc. It should just be a minature of a regular tank.

wouldn't a nano tank be a little more work to take care of than her 46 gal. ?
Just asking, not sure...

Yep, nano reefs are much higher maintenance than larger tanks. Since there is so much less water, things go wrong in there much more quickly. THe biggest challenge is keeping the water topped off. So many people dont top of their tanks enough and the salt level changes drastically and kills everything! So as long as you are consistent on keeping it topped off, you should be fine.

You will still need all the same equipment.

On a side note, I lose about 1/2" of water daily in my 30 gallon, and its not even that hot here yet!

ah. sounds like alot of work!!
ah well, i might as well give it a go! i would love to have a marine, and it just makes so much more sence to use the 12.
i spose the other possibility is that i get another tank...
say a 20g? would that be a better option?

I think it would help, but not by that much.

Bigger is always better, in my opinion but its your personal choice what you want to do, of course. Thats not to say its impossible to do a smaller tank, its just going to be more work. But if you are dedicated and prepared for that, I say try it!

with it