My wife and I wanna start a saltwater aquarium that we know nothing about. We wanna start with a somewhat small tank (36 bowfront) and if all goes well than move up to something like a 75 gallon. It will be a reef tank with fish.

Now I know we need a filter, skimmer, auto-fill, heater, and lights but don't know what's overpriced or cheap. What brands to stay away from and brands that actually work. We also don't wanna go broke...we set a side about $1,500 to get this saltwater aquarium up and running.

We are thinking about a Fluval 307 canister filter paired up with a Aquamaxx HOB 1.5 Skimmer. As far as light and heaters are concerned we are lost. Now we haven't purchased anything as of yet...with that being said are we on the right track with the items we selected....? Maybe there are better choices...we are open to all suggestion.

Now we will cycle the tank with live sand and rocks. We know it will take about a month for the tank to cycle so we will have time to research what fish and coral to buy and stay away from. Right now we are concentrate on the things I mentioned above.

Oh and water test kits...what is the most accurate.....?

So with that any help would be much appreciated...thanks in advance.

Bronx

Hope you have power backup.

Quote from: Bronx on May 22, 2021, 09:24:41 AMMy wife and I wanna start a saltwater aquarium that we know nothing about. We wanna start with a somewhat small tank (36 bowfront) and if all goes well than move up to something like a 75 gallon. It will be a reef tank with fish.

Now I know we need a filter, skimmer, auto-fill, heater, and lights but don't know what's overpriced or cheap. What brands to stay away from and brands that actually work. We also don't wanna go broke...we set a side about $1,500 to get this saltwater aquarium up and running.

We are thinking about a Fluval 307 canister filter paired up with a Aquamaxx HOB 1.5 Skimmer. As far as light and heaters are concerned we are lost. Now we haven't purchased anything as of yet...with that being said are we on the right track with the items we selected....? Maybe there are better choices...we are open to all suggestion.

Now we will cycle the tank with live sand and rocks. We know it will take about a month for the tank to cycle so we will have time to research what fish and coral to buy and stay away from. Right now we are concentrate on the things I mentioned above.

Oh and water test kits...what is the most accurate.....?

So with that any help would be much appreciated...thanks in advance.

Bronx

If you're new to it you might do well to start out with fresh water and move up to salt. Fresh water is much easier to maintain and keep in balance. IMHO larger aquariums are easier to keep in balance than smaller ones, especially salt water and the temperature is easier to regulate. Start out with cheaper fish.

Quote from: Solar on May 22, 2021, 09:59:03 AMHope you have power backup.

Yes my house is on a backup generator...thanks

Quote from: dickfoster on May 22, 2021, 10:50:18 AMIf you're new to it you might do well to start out with fresh water and move up to salt. Fresh water is much easier to maintain and keep in balance. IMHO larger aquariums are easier to keep in balance than smaller ones, especially salt water and the temperature is easier to regulate. Start out with cheaper fish.

Thanks...will keep that in mind

Quote from: Bronx on May 22, 2021, 12:33:58 PMYes my house is on a backup generator...thanks

It has to be in GA in case the wind blows too hard...       

Quote from: taxed on May 23, 2021, 11:44:20 PMIt has to be in GA in case the wind blows too hard...       

No shit........    

Quote from: Bronx on May 27, 2021, 08:08:04 PMNo shit........    

      

Where tree branches are attracted to power lines like moths to a flame...