So I have only ever had goldfish and some tropicals but I have never before owned a saltwater tank. However, a family friend is looking to get rid of a 60 gallon saltwater tank and she knows that I love fish so she wants to give it to me. Of course, I would love to take it but I really don't know what kind of care is required for this sort of tank. She is very attached to the fish in the tank and hasn't had a single fish fatality since they originally stocked the tank so I want to be sure that I can give them the best care if I do take the tank. What do I need to know about the basics of saltwater? How do you condition the water? Is water changing the same?

Thanks! Any basic advise you can give me is greatly appreciated!!!

well i don't know much about saltwater heck i don't no anything but maybe you could ask your friend how to set it up and get them to help you along the way. i would pounce on that tank.

Yeah, I just am not going to have much of a chance to ask her anything about it - it is complicated to explain why but basically we are moving in a week and then I am going to be out of town for a while and she would have to bring the tank to our new house while I am out of town.... And right now she is out of town. So I still really want the tank though!!! I just have to convince my mom that we have room for it in our house .

ok first of all to get a successful saltwater tank its going to cost aroun 200 dollars for a small tank.(around 10 - 20 gallon) 10 through 20 gallons is a good start of size for a few damsels. first of heres the equipment youll need. a protein skimmer. a filter. good lighting. testing kits. salt mix or real ocean water that they sell. live rock sand. and of couse fish.

ok heres the steps.
1. hang all your equipment in the tank.(rinse them first if theyre new.)
2.fill tank with ro water.
3.add salt. half a cup per gallon.
4. mix throughly
5.add live rock.
6. add sand. (you do not need to rinse them.)some ppl add sand 6 moths after their tank is finsihed.
7.check for leaks.
8. wait 1 to 2 months to cycle your tank.im not going to get into the detail of cyclying. but as long as you wait at least a month ull be fine.each tank has its own cycling time
9. after add your fish carefully.
10. MAKE FREQUENT WATER CHANGES.!!!
11. test water weekly.
12. have fun and enjoy!