New Starter - Needing advice

Hi all,

I am very new to all this and would like some advice on how to start out with a marine aquarium, first off I am looking for a decent book which will guide me through setting the tank up to eventually adding fish (I understand that you cannot add fish striaght away and what to do it right the first time and understand what is going on with the cycles etc).

I have short listed the following tanks, your opinions on them (size, value for money etc) would be greatly appreciated.

http://www.theaquariumshop.co.uk/ish...shopscr46.html
http://www.theaquariumshop.co.uk/ish...shopscr49.html

Thanks for all your help in advance!

Hi Apestyler,
Welcome to the forum.The tanks you listed are ok for fish ony(some small fish).Do to there lighting.for a reef tank you need to upgrade the lighting to at least a 120 watt power compact and maybe add a protein skimmer. here are some ebay links for lights.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...eef tank<br />http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&amp;category=20755&amp;item =4375859086&amp;rd=1&amp;ssPageName=WDVW

see thread newbies to reefing/ hello and welcome. couple good books listed there. hope this helps.

Thank you both for your quick reply. I will take a look at the newbie threads on my lunch break - What is the minimum size you would recommend for a reef tank, also do you know any good UK outlets for buying stuff, I will take a look at the auction that mini reefer posted but I'm guessing postage from the US -> UK would be expensive and very risky.

I'm very impressed with the site - cheers people!

I would go with a minimum of 55 gallons (208 Liters). As an experienced reefer a 75 gallon (283 Liters) or larger would be much more desirable. The larger the better, more water volume means more space for waste, which means less water changes and less fluctuations in Nitrates, Phosphates etc. more room for mistakes.

Also a typical 75 gallon vs a typical 55 gallon aquarium will give you much more depth in the tank and as you start buiilding the tank you will want the room and your fish will love you for it.

Thanks for the advice, makes it easier when browsing the Aquarium shops on the net, so I would be looking at somethink like this then;

http://www.theaquariumshop.co.uk/ish...shopscr52.html

Time to start saving and reading - I tried to find that book you recommeneded in some bookshops but can't seem to find it anywhere - I think I will have to order it from the US.

decide generally what you think you will want to keep and then get the largest tank your budget and situation will allow. you will pay a bit more up front but will not be wanting to upgrade later with the costs associated with that senerio of replacing equipment etc.

Thanks for all the replies and advice - I am going to an aquarium supplier today to have a look at what is on offer (Also taking the girlfriend along to show her what its all about - and convince her to letting me start it as a hobby lol!!! )

Will keep you posted with how things progress.

update us on how it goes. good luck.

Well I went along to the local Auqarium supplier which was actually part of a garden center (I'll post the details of it in the other thread I started about UK Vendors) and managed to find the so called 'Aquarium Expert' there.

He was quite freindly and was showing us what deals he can do on tanks apprently if we buy the tank and stand at the same time he will offer 10% discount - However it just tips on the 200 litre capacity. I wouldn't mind getting a slightly larger capacity one (following your advice aswell), so I have short listed the following tank;

http://www.theaquariumshop.co.uk/ish...hopscr373.html

The specifications are;

220 Litres
58.12 US Gallons
48.39 UK Gallons

From what you guys have said this should be suitable starter tank, for a mini-reef, invertibrates, and a couple of fish?

I also picked up a book which I am reading through at the moment;
'The Simple Guide to Marine Aquariums - Jeffrey Kurtz'

I coulnd't find the one you recommended in the other thread anywhere. Hopefully it should be ok. I'm gonna finish reading the book, and then start making some decisions - One of the first things I need to test/find out is the strength of the floor (As I live in a upper-floor cottage flat), I am fairly confident this won't proove troublesome!