From: sdebol@tsp.med.umn.edu (Steven Debol (Nelson))
Subject: Re: [M] Marine tank temptation.
Organization: University of Minnesota
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 15:54:30 GMT

In article <1glt89INNhgd@transfer.stratus.com> scol@scottsdale.az.stratus.com (Scott Colbath) writes:
>
>OK, every time I go into my local fish store, I find myself spending more time  
>looking at marine fish than freshwater fish. I want to start a marine tank but  
>don't have a clue on how to go about it. Things I need to know are..
>
>1) What size tank is a good starting point?
>2) What equipment is needed (I mean everything)?

Hi Scott!  I switched my tank from a freshwater set-up to a marine
tank about a year ago.  I, too, was unsure about changing and was
afraid I was getting in over my head.  Let me just say one thing
first--Doing a fish-only marine tank is really not any harder
than a freshwater tank if you are conscientious (sp?)--i.e., if
you are used to doing water changes and gravel cleanings regularly, etc.
Which reminds me?  Do you have freshwater experience?  If not, I
would definately get some practice with that first--like a year.

Anyway, about your first two questions:  I would strongly recommend
getting the biggest tank you can afford--but get at least a 55g.
Rather than expand on my answers now, read them and then e-mail
me back if you want me to elaborate on any of them.

For a fish-only tank (which is all I have had experience with) you
can get by with less.  Of course the tank size will dictate some
of the equipment you need.  Right now in my 55g tank I have:  2
Penguin 550 powerheads on an undergravel filter.  1 Mangum 350
cannister filter and 1 Skilter 250--a power filter that does a
little protein skimming as well.  I think it helps but would not
replace a real protein skimmer if one was "required" for a certain
set up.

I am trying to upgrade to a 75g tank still fish-only.  In it I will
have 2 Magnums (which work well for me despite what people on the
net say!), 2 Penguin 1140's hooked with reverse flow UGF, and
the skilter.

Oh yeah, other stuff you need:  A heater, about 200w for a 55g tank.
(maybe less).  Lighting--whatever you like for fish-only.  It's
a whole new ballgame with invertebrates... That's about it.
You should buy all of your equipment (if you don't already) from
That Fish Place in Pennsylvania.  1-800-733-3829.  Everything
is half of what you would pay in the local stores.  I have used them
for 4 years and have ALWAYS been satisfied.

>2a) What does some of this equipment do? I hear the names but don't know  
>    anything about them. Things like protein skimmers and stuff.
>3) How much money are we talking about to get it started?

To buy everything from scratch, for a 55g I'm GUESSING about $400-
$500 dollars.  The tank and stand will run you 200-$250.  I would
get a catalog from That Fish Place and you can sit down and work
things up.  Here are some prices I can remember off the top of my
head:
Heater: $15.00
Power Heads $15.00
UGF $18.00
Magnum: $80.00 (deluxe kit)
Gravel- about $40 (crushed coral is more expensive than dolomite)
There are lots of other little things--chemicals, test-kits, foods,
decorations, etc.

>4) What is maintenance like with a marine tank?
>
Not really that much more than a freshwater tank--can you e-mail
me back and tell me what experience with fish you've had? It will
be easier to answer your question.

------------------------------------------------------------------
Steve Debol                       "The fear is all in your head,
Dept. of Microbiology              soldier, but don't get the idea
University of Minnesota            it's psychological." 
sdebol@lenti.med.umn.edu                        --Frank Burns
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